Tour Locations | Cowbells, Chalets and Balthus: A Swiss Alpine Village Excursion
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LOCATION 1
In Front of Rossinière Station
Hello. A warm welcome to the Village of Rossinière, the first village in the Pays d'Enhaut region of the Swiss Alps. My name is Guy and I am delighted to share with you the charm and the history of...
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LOCATION 2
Path to the Grand Chalet
Bear left onto the path covered in wood chips.
The Pays d’Enhaut, which means highland region in French, includes the villages of La Tine, Rossinière, Château d’Oex and Rougemont. It’s located i...
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LOCATION 3
The Stables
We are nearly at the entrance to the Grand Chalet.
When you get to the road, turn right. The gates to the Grand Chalet are on your right.
The building on your left is a stable for horses. It ...
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LOCATION 4
Front of the Grand Chalet
Stop here in front of the gates of the Grand Chalet.
The Grand Chalet was originally built by Jean David Henchoz, a wealthy cheese merchant and illustrates the economic importance of cheese for ...
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LOCATION 5
Front of the Grand Chalet 2
Let's keep moving. With the Grand Chalet in front of you, turn right and start walking along the road. Our next stop is just ahead.
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LOCATION 6
Balthus' Studio
Stop here for a moment in front of the building on your right.
This building is Balthus' studio where he did all his painting.
Balthus, formally known as Count Balthasar Klossowski de Rola, w...
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LOCATION 7
Some Rossiniere History
Keep going.
Since the 11th century, Rossiniere has been aligned with different regions. It was part of the catholic principality of Gruyere until 1555. After the Reformation, it became part of t...
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LOCATION 8
View on Maison de la Place
Stop here for a moment and look to your right.
About 100 meters away, across the field, you have a good view of the Maison de la Place.
This building pre-dates the Grand Chalet by almost a hu...
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LOCATION 9
Right towards Hotel de Ville
Turn right now and continue uphill towards the Hotel de Ville, the Town Hall.
Nowadays tourists come to the mountains and are delighted by the scenery, the fresh air and sporting activities. Whe...
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LOCATION 10
Right to Maison de la Place
Turn right here, just before the Hotel de Ville. Follow the road until you get to the Maison de la Place.
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LOCATION 11
Behind Maison de la Place
Stop here behind the Maison de la Place.
Before industrialization, wooden beams were shaped with axes at the construction site, giving the wood the rustic appearance you can see here. Trees wer...
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LOCATION 12
Along Le College
Keep going. You're going to cross the road at the pedestrian crossing, then take the road just to your right.
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LOCATION 13
Minister's House
On your left is the Pastor’s House, La Cure, in French. Stop here for a moment.
The house dates from the 1770s and was built at a time when the Pays d'Enhaut was under the control of Bern. Durin...
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LOCATION 14
Left towards Church
Bear left here and carry on uphill towards the Church.
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LOCATION 15
Rossinière Church
Stop here in front of the Rossinière Church.
Dedicated to Mary Magdalene, this romanesque church was built on the site of an ancient chapel dedicated to St Clotilde. Its existence was recorded a...
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LOCATION 16
Oak Tree
Stop here for a moment in front of the large oak tree.
From here you can get a good view over the valley. If you look up to your right, you can make out one of the alpine dairies on the top of t...
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LOCATION 17
Right to Clock Tower
Cross the road at the pedestrian crossing and take the small lane immediately on your right.
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LOCATION 18
Clos Fleuri and former Minister's House
Stop in front of the first house on your right - Chalet Clos-Fleuri.
This house was built around 1600 and has been restored to its original condition. The barn behind the chalet was moved from i...
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LOCATION 19
The Clock Tower
Ahead of you is the Clock Tower. Once you've had a good look, turn left and walk down the road.
The Clock Tower was built before the end of the 1700s to house the village clock. It was initially...
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LOCATION 20
Chez Cali, Village Grocery
Stop at the bottom of the steps, next to the water fountains.
Up until the late 1800s, access to the village was from the small road on the other side of the valley. The main road in front of y...
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LOCATION 21
The Town Hall
Once across, stop in front of the Hotel de Ville, the Town Hall, on your right.
The Hotel de Ville bears the coat of arms of the municipality of Rossinière and features a crane, the symbol of th...
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LOCATION 22
La Placette, the village square
Keep walking into the town square and then stop in front of the tree surrounded by benches.
Until the 1800s, wooden construction was the rule for buildings in Switzerland more than 900 meters ab...
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LOCATION 23
Balthus Chapel
Take the gravel path skirting the restaurant on your right, that leads towards the Balthus Chapel and the final stop of our tour.
The chapel was built in 1884 and acquired by the Protestant Chur...