I visited and loved the unique H.R. Giger Museum and Bar located in Gruyères after a day trip to Rocher de Naye on my way back to Bern (my current favorite affordable town to stay in Switzerland). Entrance is free with a Swiss Travel Pass. Gruyères in general has a nice vibe and not crowded touristy (though it may be covered in blockbuster guidebooks) I will go there again.
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northern CA
2766 posts
Thanks for this testimonial.
I bet Gruyères is also good spot for some onion soup and a croque monsieur
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1 posts
I’m thrilled to hear about your experience at the H.R. Giger Museum and Bar in Gruyères! It truly is a one-of-a-kind place, and I can understand why it left an impression on you. Here’s some information to guide you and anyone else interested in visiting this fascinating spot:
HR Giger Museum Bar:
Location: Château St Germain, 1663 Gruyères, Switzerland.
Created by Swiss artist H. R. Giger, the bar is a work of art, an original and completely unique experience.
The ceiling, walls, floors, fittings, tables, and chairs are all modeled by the artist in the style of his acclaimed ‘Alien’ biomechanical environment and character designs.
It’s like stepping into another world—a cavernous, skeletal structure covered by double arches of vertebrae that crisscross the vaulted ceiling of an ancient castle.
The sensation feels almost prehistoric, as if you’re in the belly of a fossilized, mutated future civilization.
Opening Hours:
The HR Giger Bar is open during specific hours:
April to October: Open every day from 10:00 AM to 8:30 PM.
November to March: Open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 AM to 8:30 PM (closed on Mondays).
Getting There:
From Zurich HB (main train station):
Take a two-and-a-half-hour trip to Gruyères. First, head to Fribourg, then change trains at Bulle. Catch the regio express towards Montbovon for the last 20 minutes to Gruyeres.
From Geneva:
A similar distance from Zurich, enjoy a lovely run along Lake Geneva to Montreux. From there, take a classic Swiss hill-climbing train to Montbovon. Finally, a short ride on the regio express train will take you to Gruyeres, offering breathtaking scenery along the way, especially the hill climb out of Montreux.
The Museum:
The Château Saint-Germain houses the HR Giger Museum, dedicated to the works of Swiss artist Hans Ruedi Giger (born 1940).
Prepare to be plunged into a science fiction universe that is both surprising and disturbing.
You can reference: https://www.myswitzerland.com/en-ch/experiencesslope/musee-hr-giger/