The 10 Best Things to do in Canton of Fribourg, Canton of Fribourg

A rich collection of art and archaeology from our origins to the present day. The biggest collection of Swiss sculpture from the first half of the 16th century.Spread over three old buildings in the town of Fribourg, the museum has a magnificent garden in front of it adorned with monumental sculptures by Saint Phalle, Luginbühl, Ramseyer, Wiggli and Angéloz.

According to legend, if its 74 m tower is unfinished it is because there was no money left. A jewel of Gothic architecture, the cathedral was built between 1283 and 1490. It is possible to climb the 365 steps to the top of the 74 m high tower and discover the entire town.

Gruyères Castle has stood proudly atop a verdant hill in the heart of Switzerland since the 13th century. Surrounded by the magnificent panorama of the Alpine foothills, the medieval fortress houses prestigious collections that bear witness to its long and rich history. The treasures to be found within its walls include the capes of the Order of the Golden Fleece and the intricate stained-glass windows dating from the Middle Ages; the frescoes commissioned by the bailiffs under the Ancien Régime; paintings by Jean-Baptiste Camille Corot and the troubadour decorations of the Salle des Chevaliers, created at Gruyères in the 19th century by a colony of passionate artists. From its ramparts to its French-style gardens, from the guard room to its romantic salons, Gruyères Castle takes you on an adventure through eight centuries of art, history and legends.

The Natural History Museum houses many magnificent scientific collections and presents permanent exhibitions related to the earth sciences and biology.Rediscover the mysteries of life and science thanks to permanent exhibitions and many temporary exhibitions at the Natural History Museum. Unique pieces include a stuffed whale, a Siberian Tiger, a white shark, two Fribourg meteorites

Be aware that the last entrance to visit the museum is 45 minutes before the closing time - HR GIGER IS ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS SWISS ARTISTS. He was awarded an « Oscar » in 1980 in Hollywood for the movie « Alien ». He was the designer of the Alien beast and different other biomechanical creatures. The artist was born in Coire in 1940. Giger has given to Gruyeres a different dimension, a wonderful attraction: two worlds completely opposed. One traditional and the other one fantastic. The visitor penetrates in the biomechanical, surrealistic and mind-blowing place. The museum is open since 1998. Most of its twenty rooms are reserved for Giger’s work: paintings, sculptures and furnitures. His private collection is shown on the third floor artist such as Coleman, Dado, E. Fuchs, Schwarz, Steve Leuba, etc. A bar completely designed by Giger built on the left hand side of the Museum is the last living master piece of the artist where the atmosphere and the sensation are incomparable.

The first bridge of the city Originally, the pont de Berne would have been supported by timber trestles. The bridge as it stands today dates from 1653. The central stone pillar and deck were replaced in 1853-54,and its roof in 1885. The three bridges in Fribourg Old Town (Bern, Milieu and St-Jean) all date from the mid-13th century, almost 100 years after the city was founded by Berthold IV of Zähringen (1157). Before the pont de Berne was built, travellers had to cross the Sarine by boat. In those days, the water lapped against the cliffs on which the former Augustine monastery overlooking the car park stands. In 1340, the bridge was sawn down to ward off an attack by encroaching Bernese invaders. The pont de Berne is the last remaining covered bridge in Fribourg.