Fribourg Region the Leisure Activities and Discoveries Guide Welcoming Delicious Unexpected 2019
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FRIBOURG REGION THE LEISURE ACTIVITIES AND DISCOVERIES GUIDE WELCOMING DELICIOUS UNEXPECTED 2019 THE UNEXPECTED THE NOCTURNAL ADVENTURES OF BEAVERS EXPERIENCE i'VE EXPERIENCED: AN EXTRAORDINARY ADVENTURE PASSION KEEPING WALKERS ON THE RIGHT TRACK... ALONG 1800 KM OF PATHWAYS! www.fribourgregion.ch 2 FRIBOURG REGION IT'S DZ¡N ! Discover unique activities and inspiring encounters with local MEADOWS: people. Create memories NATURE’S as a group or individual, TREASURES for children and adults alike. www.dzin.ch PAGE 4 CONTENTS Meadows: nature’s treasures ........................ 4 Hiking in Fribourg Region, Aline Hayoz-Andrey accompanies amateur botanists the joy factor! ................................................ 20 I've experienced: an extraordinary Life is a beautiful walk ...................................22 adventure ....................................................... 8 The Trans Swiss Trail, a shared long-distance project Jean-Claude Pesse perpetuates an ancestral tradition Keeping walkers on the right track... “The philosophical sweeper” .......................10 along 1800 km of pathways! ...................... 26 Interview with Michel Simonet on the streets of Fribourg The diligent professionals who maintain the waymarks The nocturnal adventures Valuable advice from Bruno Jelk ................ 28 of beavers ....................................................... 14 A leading expert on safety in the mountains Nature and people get along together in the Grande Cariçaie A visit to Romont that’s full of surprises ....................................................32 “When I’m on a trail, I feel all the energy Simone Devaud shares historic finds of the mountain inside me” ............................ 17 Les Paccots, the perfect playground for Mike Aigroz Online ..............................................................35 Quiz FRIBOURG REGION 3 LIFE IS A BEAUTIFUL WALK PAGE 22 KEEPING WALKERS ON THE RIGHT MEADOWS: TRACK... ALONG NATURE’S 1800 KM OF TREASURES PATHWAYS! PAGE 26 TONE Publisher FRIBOURG REGION Layout A WALKER’S So Graphic Studio, Bulle DELIGHT Editorial Mélanie Rouiller, Susi Schildknecht Take a walk in the Fribourg Region’s countryside, Pictures where thrilling discoveries and delicious delicacies Pascal Gertschen, André Meier/ Suisse Tourisme, Carim Jost, await. Whether they are walking the shores of Mélanie Rouiller, Marc-André Marmillod, Eric Fookes, Elise Heuberger, Pierre Cuony, a lake, under the cover of a forest or along a mountain Stemutz, Jorgenn, Maxime Schmid, ridge, hikers will always find the path that’s right for Aurélie Felli, Restaurant du Port, rawkingphoto.ch, Gruyère Escapade, them. Walkers and sports lovers will be delighted outsideisfree.ch, Fabrice Savary. by the wealth of itineraries available to them. Fribourg, December 2018/553'300 Amazing cultural discoveries can be made simply Printed in Switzerland by wandering around the town of Fribourg or Romont, on FSC certified paper while the area’s rich, varied nature is an endless source of discovery and new experiences. Get walking, get away from it all and succumb to life’s sweet pleasures. 4 FRIBOURG REGION FRIBOURG REGION 5 CURIOSITY MEADOWS: NATURE’S TREASURES With a PhD in natural science, Aline Hayoz-Andrey shares her expertise so that the riches of our environment are accessible to all. She takes amateur botanists, or those who are simply curious, on a meticulous exploration of the plant world that prospers before our very eyes! 6 FRIBOURG REGION line Hayoz-Andrey studies of the complexity of a biotope. For nature in all of its forms. example, creating a floral clock can A The specific environment, highlight the interaction between insects, plants, soil and exposure, flora and insects. In the undergrowth, all contribute to the biodiversity she notes the importance of of a landscape. The hiking leader symbiosis, such as that between considers the area around Charmey fungi and trees, which exchange the ideal place to share her scientific nutrients. The condition of the fields, knowledge. From Lake Montsalvens and the species that grow there, (800 m) to the summit of Vounetse indicate the quality and balance (1600 m), via the small valley of of the soil. This fragile harmony Les Morteys, the ecosystem is rich will affect the cows’ fodder and and varied. Moist terrain, unused influence the flavour of the cheese! areas of grass, lush meadows, Aline cheerfully demonstrates how and deciduous or conifer forests close a tie there is between the abound, revealing an abundance meadows and the local gastronomy. of fascinating ecological features. This foodie is happy to share her Aline offers botanical walks that tips: “Plantain makes an excellent teach you how to read the landscape. mushroomy pesto. And dried sweet She shares her observations and woodruff flowers have a delicious knowledge to create a broader view vanilla flavour.” FRIBOURG REGION 217 LAKE GRUYÈRE Novi lé Download the app and discover a new version of the Lake Gruyère trail! This fun treasure hunt takes you on an augmented reality journey that teaches you all about the region and its nature. The seven itineraries, each lasting approximately 1.5 hours, are interspersed with digital animations that allow you to collect points. You can even win vouchers and gifts into the bargain. Happy hunting! www.fribourgregion.ch/experiences1 LA GRUYÈRE JAUN Passeport A centuries-old La Gruyère tradition Whether you’re planning a romantic For over four centuries, the Jeûne Fédéral weekend or a family trip, the bank holiday Monday has celebrated Passeport La Gruyère makes visiting the arrival of sheep on the plains. After the region a piece of cake. An several months in the alpine pastures, the opportunity to discover the region animals are sold at this traditional fair through its museums, gastronomy that joyfully brings the centre of Jaun to and landscapes. Two nights from life, marking the beginning of the désalpe CHF 175.– per person. period, when animals are brought down www.fribourgregion.ch/experiences2 from the mountains. www.fribourgregion.ch/experiences3 8 FRIBOURG REGION i'VE EXPERIENCED! EXPERIENCE AN EXTRAORDINARY ADVENTURE At the foot of the little valley of Les Morteys, in the Gros Mont valley between Charmey and Jaun, Jean-Claude Pesse is carrying on an age-old tradition. e approach the 500-metre way down!” says Jean-Claude, who the skin. The path becomes a stream climb that awaits us with gives them constant encouragement and the mountain is showing its anger, W enthusiasm. Patricia, Thaïs and draws on his subtle sensitivity but the atmosphere is spectacular. and Laurence have also joined us to understand and motivate them. I The thunder threatens to frighten the for this very unusual hike. Since 2014, know so little about equine creatures mules, but Jean-Claude reassures Jean-Claude Pesse has been working that when Patricia hands me Marco’s them with a soothing gesture. Lightning as a barlatè, an occupation in danger lead rein, I’m surprised that I instantly illuminates the front of the Cabane of dying out. During the summer feel a magical bond, a force that is des Marindes. We press on and arrive pasturing season, he transports perceptible through the rope, strong at Les Morteys chalet at an altitude alpine cheese by mule. Their pack yet gentle. The sound of hooves on of 1888 metres. Centaure’s coat is saddles in position, the animals set the the scree gives me the sensation that steaming, and I take refuge inside. pace. At the head of the train, Marco, we are working together, walking A coffee with double cream later, the a gentle and experienced mule, leads in unison. I feel proud to be walking cheeses are packed onto wooden the way for Centaure, his counterpart. alongside him! crates and loaded onto the animals. The rhythm is interspersed with rest A raindrop falls onto my hand, the The descent threatens to be a slippery stops imposed by the animals. “At sky darkens and a storm is unleashed one, but the sun has come out. first, you need to let them warm up without warning. There’s no time to www.dzin.ch and manage their load. Each one will get out my raincoat (in any case, I’ve be carrying 120 kg on its back on the forgotten it) before we're soaked to FRIBOURG REGION 9 FRIBOURG Traditional flavours IT'S At Gérald Saudan’s workshop, you can immerse yourself in the saffron DZ¡N ! and aniseed aromas of Fribourg’s culinary tradition. All the secrets of Bénichon mustard and Cuchaule AOP bread production will be revealed! It only takes an hour to try your hand at this gourmet tradition. Enjoy a tasting session and then take your delicious creations home with you. www.dzin.ch AN EXTRAORDINARY ADVENTURE BULLE MOLÉSON-SUR-GRUYÈRES Discover the town A perfect of Bulle evening Learn everything you need to know On summer evenings you can enjoy about the history of the buildings, a wine-tasting experience at an the lives of historical characters, and altitude of 2002 metres. As the sun sets, the parks and churches of Bulle. the pink sky is reflected on the surface This journey through time promises of Lake Geneva. At the summit of the to be a truly enriching experience. Moléson, this little corner of paradise is www.la-gruyere.ch/tour far removed from the hustle and bustle of the plains. www.fribourgregion.ch/experiences5 10 FRIBOURG REGION FRIBOURG REGION 11 PEOPLE “THE PHILOSOPHICAL SWEEPER” is book, “Une rose et un balai“ spirituality. He draws his happiness (A Rose and a Broom) won from a very simple source: rejoicing H international recognition, in a job well done by turning back proof that the philosophical musings to look at the road he is sweeping. of this writer-sweeper have touched “Then comes that instant feeling of the hearts of his readers. usefulness that does me so much His gentle, humorous verse gives an good: a little Nirvana on earth for a insight into the delicate subtlety of voluntary outcast.” (p.113) Michel Simonet Michel Simonet. After 30 years as Having graduated from business is both the oldest a street cleaner, he took just a few school, he studied theology before road sweeper in months to complete his book: “It’s my starting a family and choosing to invitation for you to look at the little, work as a road sweeper.