Discover Glâne: Stained Glass, Pilgrimage Routes and Nature

At Château de Romont, medieval architectural history meets glass art: the castle was built around 1240 by Peter II of Savoy and has housed the Vitromusée Romont, Switzerland’s museum of stained glass and glass art, since 1981. Romont is the capital of the Glâne district, one of the seven districts of the canton of Fribourg in Switzerland. Pilgrimage routes, churches, museums and natural sites also offer a range of reasons to stay. If you’re looking for a hotel in Glâne, it can help to first decide which excursions you’d like to shape your trip around.

Pilgrimage Routes and Places for Reflection

The routes following in the footsteps of Marguerite Bays offer options for different time budgets. The short Sur les pas de Sainte Marguerite Bays circular route starts at the church in Siviriez, is 5.8 kilometres long and takes around 1 hour and 30 minutes without breaks. The Grand parcours is another option: it is rated as moderate, covers 9 kilometres and is listed as taking three hours. Comparing the two makes the different time commitments clear, without taking breaks into account.

Several chapels and churches are also associated with Marguerite Bays. The Chapelle Notre-Dame du Bois is considered a special place for reflection; the Grand parcours passes by the chapel. Since 2000, the parish church in Siviriez has had a chapel dedicated to Marguerite Bays. In La Pierraz, the Grand parcours includes a pilgrim hostel at the family home. The farm in La Pierraz where Marguerite Bays lived is open to the public. The bedroom in the Maison de Marguerite Bays has been preserved as it was when she lived there.

Stained Glass, Castles and Museums

Glass art takes many forms. At the Vitromusée Romont, it is the focus as both a collection and an art form. The Sentier du Vitrail is a hilly route through the Glâne region, passing churches and their remarkable, well-preserved stained-glass windows. It is 16 kilometres long, rated fairly easy and listed as taking 4 hours and 25 minutes. Public transport can take you to the route via Romont poste bus station or Romont railway station. Check current services and stop names before travelling.

Other windows each have their own artistic character: the parish church in Mézières has abstract stained-glass windows by Yoki across 34 windows. The church of the Abbaye de la Fille-Dieu has remarkable stained-glass windows by British artist Brian Clarke, inspired by Cistercian art. The abbey was founded in 1268. Its first church, consecrated in 1346, has been preserved in close to its original state, at around 90 percent.

The Musée du papier peint in Mézières preserves wallpapers, the oldest examples of which date from the late 18th century. They are displayed in twelve restored historic rooms. The museum is also used for concerts, a craft market and creative workshops for adults and children. In Rue, Château de Rue tells a different architectural story: it was first mentioned in 1152 and rebuilt by Peter of Savoy between 1260 and 1268. The Circuit Secret Rue uses five artist-created installations in Rue and the castle to offer an immersive historical experience.

The promenade along Romont’s town walls offers a unique perspective on the town: it is 1,500 metres long and provides panoramic views from Mont Blanc to the Jura. This lets you choose architectural history, glass art or scenic views as different focuses for your days out.

Routes, Landscapes and Nature

For longer cycling trips, the Tour de la Glâne à VTT covers a total of 90 kilometres along the borders of the Glâne district. It includes a southern loop, a northern loop and the full route. GPS devices can be rented from Sports Aventure, Rte de Billens 14, 1680 Romont; check current availability before your ride. The Sentier du Vitrail à vélo is also listed as a cycling route, at 30 kilometres.

The Chutes de Chavannettes are waterfalls in the Glâne district, near the medieval small town of Rue. They can be reached from Rue on foot or by bicycle; vehicles are not allowed to drive up to the waterfalls. As access conditions may change, check them before your visit. La Gouille adds to the natural attractions as a wetland with an amphibian spawning area and an educational trail.

The regional Sense–Glâne–Veveyse route offers a broader perspective on the landscape. Along this route, the west appears somewhat flatter, with streams winding through green dairy country. Views mentioned include Lac de la Gruyère, the medieval hilltop town of Romont and the Alps. This route describes a landscape across the districts of Sense, Glâne and Veveyse.

Cheese and Seasonal Activities

The Fromagerie régionale de Mézières offers guided tours of its operations on request, with explanations of the production processes followed by a tasting. The Fromagerie de Mézières offers Gruyère AOP, Vacherin Fribourgeois AOP and regional specialities such as Pavé de Romont, 4h du Bouébo and Pra Diabla. The range may change; if you’re interested, ask about the current selection.

From October to March, the regional ice rink of Glâne in Romont offers indoor skating and public hockey. One third of the ice surface is reserved for public hockey. It’s worth checking current opening hours and dates before your visit. This lets you plan around seasonal activities, art and cultural venues, or routes of different lengths.

Discover more destinations: Rue, Romont Fr, Le Châtelard Fr, Villorsonnens, Brüw, Sense, See/Lac, Veveyse.

Go to the main travel overview: Fribourg.