Discover the Park

Rougemont, landscape and mountains

Located between the Jogne and Intyamon valleys, the Pays-d’Enhaut, and the Lake Geneva (Vaud), the Park territory covers an alpine zone typical of the limestone dominant, northern Prealps. Within its borders the rich and varied landscapes reflect centuries of pastoral activity.

The Park – facts and figures

  • 630 km2
  • 4 regions and 17 municipalities (8 in Fribourg, 8 in Vaud and 1 in Bern)
    • Jogne Valley (Fribourg and Bern) : Châtel-sur-Montsalvens, Crésuz, Val-de-Charmey, Jaun and Abländschen (municipality of Saanen)
    • Gruyères and Intyamon (Fribourg) : Gruyères, Bas-Intyamon, Grandvillard, and Haut-Intyamon
    • Pays-d’Enhaut – Les Mosses (Vaud) : Château-d’Œx, Ormont-Dessous (Les Mosses), Rossinière and Rougemont
    • Leman side (Vaud) : Montreux, Veytaux, and Villeneuve (with the exception of Chillon Castle, only the higher reaches of these towns and villages are part of the Park), Corbeyrier 

Unspoilt nature

Exceptional biotopes and geotopes, including the Pro Natura reserves of La Pierreuse (south of Château-d’Œx) and the Vanil Noir (between Charmey and Grandvillard) offer conservation zones for a great diversity of flora and fauna.

Centuries-old cheese-making tradition

The 16th and 18th centuries were boom times for the alpine economy in the region now covered by the National Regional Park. The landscape and the heritage of the region today still bear witness to this Golden Age. Cheese production has also gone from strength to strength, with four cheeses – Gruyère, L’Etivaz, Vacherin Fribourgeois and Berner Alpkäse – now bearing the AOP label.

Rich heritage

The Park also features examples of outstanding architecture and groups of villages, including the Grand Chalet from Rossinière, which belonged to the painter Balthus, the Maison du Banneret in Grandvillard, chapels and churches, Gruyères and Chillon castles, the Cluny Priory of Rougemont and the Charterhouse of la Valsainte (Cerniat).

Tourist destination

With the advent of public transport at the end of the 19th century came the first flock of tourists, initially during the summer months, in search of a pastoral idyll. The arrival of skiing would turn the region into a year-round tourist destination. However, 21st century tourists are in search of something different - to experience nature close-up and to immerse themselves in the local culture and traditions.