Montbovon: Trails, Bridges and Crafts

Montbovon is in the French-speaking part of the Swiss canton of Fribourg, at its southern tip. In the Défilé de La Tine gorge, the village borders the Pays d’Enhaut. Montbovon offers a range of themes for a stay: trails through forests and pastures, the landscape around Lac de Lessoc, and architectural and craft history.

Hiking routes through forests, pastures and along the lake

The Vias du Fromage Montbovon–Allières route leads from Montbovon along the left bank of the valley through wooded areas to the pastures of Vers les Jordan. The route description thus specifies both its course along the left side of the valley and a particular destination in the landscape.

The Montbovon–Bounavau stage of the Grand Tour des Vanils also starts in Montbovon and, on the way to Lessoc, crosses two bridges over the Saane. One of them has a shingle roof. While the Vias du Fromage route leads to the pastures of Vers les Jordan, the river crossings are a distinctive feature of this described section.

Another option is the Tour du Lac de Lessoc circular trail, which can be reached on foot from Montbovon station. It follows the shore of the artificial Lac de Lessoc, which was created when a dam was built on the Saane. The circular trail passes through meadows and forests and also offers panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. The lakeshore and mountain views provide a different landscape experience from the bridge crossings on the stage towards Lessoc.

The routes offer clear differences for choosing a theme: forests and pastures are the focus of the Vias du Fromage, the Saane bridges of the Grand Tour des Vanils stage, and the lakeshore and mountain panoramas of the circular trail around Lac de Lessoc.

Bridges, church and crafts

The historic Montbovon–Allières route passes the Pont du Pontet. Dating from the 17th century, it is one of the oldest bridges in the canton of Fribourg. Montbovon itself is documented as far back as 1255, and several historical forms of the village name have also been recorded.

The village’s architectural history includes a chapel that existed from 1515–1517. In 1621, it was replaced by a church dedicated to Saint Grat. This church was rebuilt in the Neo-Romanesque style in 1897. The dates refer to different phases: 1621 marks the chapel’s replacement, and 1897 the church’s reconstruction.

Traditional crafts are also still practised in Montbovon and Allières. These include shingle making, wood engraving and metalworking. The examples encompass woodworking as well as metalworking, complementing the architectural history with craft traditions that continue in the village and in Allières.

Local specialities at the village shop

The Laiterie de Montbovon welcomes visitors to its village shop. Its products include Gruyère AOP, Vacherin Fribourgeois AOP and other specialities. The two named cheeses give a specific impression of the selection; the village shop also offers another place to visit, alongside the routes and historic buildings that make Montbovon distinctive.

Discover more destinations: La Roche Fr, Pringy, Morlon, Corbières Fr, Pont-En-Ogoz, Châtel-Sur-Montsalvens, Grandvillard, Bulle

For the broader travel overview: Gruyères.