Those who choose Broye as a destination will find a range of ways to explore culture, lakeside nature, outdoor activities and regional cuisine. The reconstruction of Neolithic architecture in Gletterens, historical explorations and wine trails each offer a different focus. When planning, it helps to choose excursions by theme and format rather than trying to fit all your interests into a single day.
Archaeology, history and art
The Village Lacustre de Gletterens recreates Neolithic architecture and offers an insight into the time of the first farmers of the Swiss Plateau. Demonstrations and workshops explore prehistoric craft techniques. Visitors can make items such as a Neolithic knife, a pendant or a Palaeolithic lamp. The activities combine an exploration of past ways of life with a hands-on experience; check the dates before your visit.
In Estavayer-le-Lac, visitors can explore the town in different ways. The Château de Chenaux is a medieval castle in the centre of the medieval town, overlooking Lake Neuchâtel. Construction began in 1284. A historical trail leads to around 15 stops; QR codes open audio commentary on your smartphone, and the trail is available in French, German and English.
Art can also be discovered along the way: ArtiChoke brings together 37 contemporary works in Estavayer-le-Lac and the surrounding region. The route passes through the medieval town and then through nearby villages. At the Musée d’Estavayer-le-Lac, meanwhile, 108 naturalised frogs are the main attraction. They were arranged in everyday scenes in the mid-19th century, including a banquet, a classroom and a family meal.
The Abbatiale de Payerne presents the history of Switzerland’s largest Romanesque church through 20 immersive, interactive audio guide stops. During a self-guided visit, the audio guide is available in French, German or English; the visit takes about 1.5 hours. This format is quite different from a town walk or an outdoor art trail.
Lakeshores, wildlife watching and outdoor activities
The Grande Cariçaie is considered Switzerland’s largest lakeside nature reserve. It offers opportunities for hiking, canoeing and birdwatching. Hidden observation hides and elevated viewing platforms provide opportunities to observe the landscape and wildlife. Guided excursions on foot or by canoe take place throughout the year on various dates, accompanied by a biologist. Check the dates if you would like to plan one of these excursions.
Gletterens Beach is within the Grande Cariçaie and offers swimming on Lake Neuchâtel. Conditions and facilities at the beach may vary by season. Alongside swimming, Portalban Beach offers beach volleyball, paddleboard and sports equipment hire, as well as a children’s playground. Check seasonal facilities and hire options there before your trip, too.
For a longer hike, La Vallée de la Broye connects Payerne, Vesin and Estavayer-le-Lac along the Broye. This easy, 16-kilometre panoramic route runs alongside the water and passes through places with historic sights. According to the route information, it is accessible by public transport and by car; check current connections. The Parcours Vita in Bois de Rivaz near Gletterens offers a different scale: it is two kilometres long with an elevation gain of 40 metres. Comparing the route lengths can help you choose between a longer outing and a shorter trail.
Wine trails and regional specialities
The Cheyres vineyard lies on the southern shore of Lake Neuchâtel, on molasse bedrock. It produces fruity wines with a distinctive terroir character. The Sentier viticole de Cheyres offers information about vineyard work, local history and grape varieties; along the way, visitors can enjoy views of the lake and the Jura. A three-hour guided tour with wine tasting can be booked for groups of at least eight people.
Fribourg traditions also include sweet and spicy Bénichon mustard, spread with butter on Cuchaule bread. The cantonal competition for the best Bénichon mustard takes place every year in Estavayer-le-Lac; check the event details before travelling. At the Bénichon Staviacoise, visitors can sample traditional dishes such as ham, gigot, meringues and Cuchaule in the town’s restaurants. Check the dates and menu in advance.
Find hotels to suit your travel plans
The time needed for your excursions can also help you choose a hotel: a self-guided visit to the Abbatiale takes about 1.5 hours, while the bookable wine tour lasts three hours and is intended for groups of at least eight people. These are different formats with different requirements. First decide which excursions you would like to shape your stay around, then check hotel availability for your travel dates.
Discover more destinations: Montagny Fr, Estavayer-Le-Lac, Vuissens, Murist, Delley-Portalban, Rueyres-Les-Prés, Veveyse, Gruyère.
Return to the main travel overview: Fribourg.
