Saturday took us to the city of Broc, which is the home of the Cailler's Chocolate Factory. We didn't take any pictures inside, we were too busy eating FREE chocolate in the tasting room. They have samples in there of all the chocolates they produce, and you can stay in that room as long as you want. I needed to stop at the store on the way home to buy some bigger clothes. Just kidding, but it WAS pretty ridiculous! Neither one of us was hungry for lunch!MMMmmm...good!
From Broc we drove about 10 minutes to the city of Gruyeres. What a pretty place! Stoked with history, Gruyeres is a cobblestoned village that sits on top of hill. Gruyeres Castle is the centerpiece, and it really neat. Here is a picture of the "castle on the hill" from the east. The town of Gruyeres slopes down the hill behind the castle, out of view in this picture.
Here it is from another angle:
Mike and I have been to Gruyeres a couple of times, and have always liked it. While we were there this time, there was a concert of sorts -- Alphorns! I must admit, I have heard better Alphorn playing since I have been in Switzerland. When we lived in Andermatt (2003), there was a guy that went way up on the mountainside and played his Alphorn. The sound was beautiful, and it just reverberating throughout the valley. However, since this performance is the only sound recording I have, you'll have to trust me that there ARE better Alphorn players about! Hope you enjoy it anyway. This was the tail end of the show. Sorry about the wierd blue tint to the video -- I had the setting on the camera screwed up:
Here is a picture of the village itself, with a couple stray tourists in it!
Gruyeres Castle was built in the 13th century. In this picture, Mike is standing on the rampart that surrounds the castle. Doesn't he look like a knight? This knight has a floppy hat instead of shining armor.
There are several pictures here of the inside of the castle. First of all, the kitchen -- which is massive. I am not sure though, I would want to cook in it! 
Then there is the fireplace, which is huge, I suppose, in order for it to heat the building. You'll notice that Mike fit nicely inside! 
The knight's hall was an impressive room, and I enjoyed seeing the actual (no kidding) "knight's graffiti" that is now protected behind the glass on the wall:
Here is a picture of the village itself, with a couple stray tourists in it!
Gruyeres Castle was built in the 13th century. In this picture, Mike is standing on the rampart that surrounds the castle. Doesn't he look like a knight? This knight has a floppy hat instead of shining armor.There are several pictures here of the inside of the castle. First of all, the kitchen -- which is massive. I am not sure though, I would want to cook in it! Then there is the fireplace, which is huge, I suppose, in order for it to heat the building. You'll notice that Mike fit nicely inside! The knight's hall was an impressive room, and I enjoyed seeing the actual (no kidding) "knight's graffiti" that is now protected behind the glass on the wall:
Mike took this picture of me standing in the courtyard of the castle:
Gruyeres also has a cheese factory, and we took a tour. They make Gruyeres cheese, of course! This picture shows the milk kettles, and the molds where the cheese is pressed.
After it comes out of the mold, the cheese is left in a salt bath to draw out moisture and it begins the formation of the rind. 
From there, it is left on the wooden curing racks for a minimum of 3 months. Each round of Gruyeres cheese weighs 35 kilos -- or about 70 pounds.
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