Eight centuries of history

Mentioned in the archives for the first time in 1244, the castle was the principal home of one of the leading noble families in western Switzerland during the Middle Ages: the counts of Gruyère. Built in the 13th century, it is constructed in the form of a “carré savoyard”, a military design developed by the House of Savoy, to whom the counts were vassals. It is protected by an almost square enclosure flanked by a keep, a tower and small overhanging turrets at the corners.

Extensive reconstruction initiated in the 15th century by Count Louis transformed the fortified castle into a stately residence. Elegant stone galleries punctuated by wide windows replace part of the wooden galleries, a staircase tower was built abutting the main block, and a chapel was installed in a former defensive tower.

For almost five centuries, from their base at Gruyères, the counts ruled over large tracts of land consisting of governorships on either side of the Sarine river as well as the lordships of Palézieux, Oron and Aubonne. Some counts also distinguished themselves on the field of battle during the Hundred Years' War or fighting by the Confederates during the Burgundian Wars. The dynasty died out when Count Michel, beset by financial problems, went bankrupt and has his properties confiscated in 1554 by his principal creditors, Bern and Fribourg.

After Count Michel went bankrupt in 1555, Bern and Fribourg divided his former lands between themselves. Fribourg took possession of what is now Gruyère and installed the bailiffs, its representatives, in the castle. Charged with administering the region, they dispensed justice, managed the finances, ran the estates and collected taxes.

Between 1554 and 1798, more than fifty bailiffs drawn from leading Fribourg families took their turn at Gruyères. During their administration, Their Excellencies of Fribourg continued expanding the mountain pastures, intensifying cheese production and increasing cheese exports to foreign markets. Wheels of Gruyère cheese capable of being transported over long distances were brought to Vevey, where they were loaded onto boats to be taken to Lyon in France.

The bailiffs, and their successors the prefects, occupy the castle until 1848, when the prefecture of the new district of Gruyère is established in Bulle. Now seen as symbolising the former bailiwick and too costly to maintain, the castle is put up for sale and acquired by a family from Geneva.

In 1849, the castle was auctioned off when the seat of the prefecture was moved from Gruyère to Bulle. The Bovy brothers, John, Antoine and Daniel, placed the winning bid and the family moved into Gruyères as soon as the first signs of spring appeared, spending the winter at Boissière Castle near Geneva.

The new owners undertook extensive renovations. Overseeing the construction work was Daniel Bovy, who redefined the organisation and theme of every room in the building. He invited his artist friends from France and Geneva to the summer residence, and everyone took part in creating new décors.

At Daniel’s instigation, Gruyères Castle became home to an artists’ colony and hosted an artistic utopia. Encounters and exchanges between painters, sculptors, writers and musicians were all part of the artists’ communal existence. Following days devoted to drawing and painting, the evenings were given over to singing, performances and hearty meals. The painters were particularly skilled in the art of landscape, and the paintings by Jean-Baptiste Camille Corot and Barthélemy Menn that adorn the walls of the castle attest to this artistic collaboration.