During our Swiss summer, we also explored the countryside, with a few stops in the Fribourg region to improve our French. We spent a nice morning in the cute hill town of Romont, known for its stained glass tradition and 13th century castle. Happily, the walking tour had two playgrounds and a fun family quiz, which kept my kids entertained while I soaked in the history and views. I love that even after 12 years in this country, we have so much left to discover.
We also did a little theme trail in the area, Sentiers des Fee, aka Fairy Trail in a nearby forest. It’s a nice low key option for families in the area, with wooden sculptures and fairy pictures drawn by local children scattered along the trail. There’s a picnic area on the edge of the forest with a grill and hut and nice view of the countryside and mountains in the distance.
Details for the town and the trail below. Thanks to the Romont Tourism Board for hosting our visit!
Romont Historical Walking Tour
Romont is in the Fribourg region of western Switzerland, about a 1hr from Bern or 2hr from Zürich, either by car or train. There is lots of free parking in town. The town center is a short walk from the train station. I recommend parking near the Tourist Information Office at Rue du Château 112 1680 Romont, where you can pick up the Romont walking tour guide.
The main attraction is the old section of town on the hill, surrounded by ramparts with towers. The walking tour takes about an hour and visits 18 points of interests (two of which are outside the town), including a 13th century castle, three churches, and the stained glass museum. There are two playgrounds in town, both with views of the surrounding countryside.
Here are a few highlights from the tour. We started at the castle, where you’ll also find the stained glass museum.
The walking tour has little activities for children at the various sites. At this well, the brochure asks the kids to turn on the light in the well and guess how deep it is.
There are two playground in town. They are both near the beginning of the walking tour, so you may want to do the tour backwards so you end at the playgrounds instead of starting there.
My kids had a great time at the playground near the big tower at the end of town. It would be a nice spot for a picnic.
Walking along the ramparts around the town. Each tower had historical info in both the brochure and on signs at each location.
Views of the countryside from town.
Two of the churches.
Inside one church, there is a full bejeweled skeleton encased in an alter. Kinda spooky!
Fairy Trail in Chapelle (Glâne)
This little forest walk is about a 20 min drive south of Romont, in Chapelle (Glâne). It’s a nice low key nature outing for local families. It’s a 3.5 km loop, mostly in a forest. Scattered along the trail, there are a few wooden sculptures and fairy pictures drawn by local kindergarten children. At about the halfway point, there is a picnic area at the edge of the forest with a grill and picnic tables. There is a playground at the start (and end) near the parking.
The free parking is near a school at Route du Verger 51 1608 Chapelle (Glâne), GPS: 46°35’13.6″N 6°49’56.5″E. It’s possible to get there by train, though not convenient, to the Gillarens, bif. rte cantonale stop, then a 1.4 km walk to the trail head.
Next to the parking, there is a big playground which you may want to save for the end. To reach the trail, just walk up the road you drove in on and follow signs to Sentier des fées.
The trail starts on a small road that leads you to the forest, then it diverts onto a narrow dirt path.
It’s not entirely suitable for strollers, as there are some stairs and narrow lumpy parts.
Here are the sculptures and fairy drawings by local children, hidden inside these little cupboards.
The picnic area at the edge of the forest. There is another picnic table inside the hut.
If you are looking for other outings in the Fribourg area, don’t miss the cheese and chocolate factories in Gruyeres!
