Moléson-sur-Gruyères
Origin of the name Moléson-sur-Gruyères
The holiday village takes its name from the Moléson, the 2002 m mountain overlooking the Gruyère and the town of Bulle, at whose foot it was built.[1]
Founding of Moléson-sur-Gruyères
The Moléson attracted interest from the late 18th century and became in the 19th century the symbol of the Gruyère and of Fribourg. Plans for a hotel and a railway failed in the early 20th century. After the Second World War an initiative committee led by Robert Boschung launched the resort: a cantonal road was built from Pringy to La Chaux, and the first lifts ran in December 1963. Building plans followed one another without success, and in 1976 the creditors wrote off 90 % of their claims. The Valais brothers Bernard and Philippe Micheloud revived the village from 1978. Moléson-sur-Gruyères belongs to the municipality of Gruyères.[1][2][3]
History of Moléson-sur-Gruyères
Late 18th century. Interest in the Moléson arises with the enthusiasm of European elites for the Alps.[1]
From 1870. There are plans to make the mountain the canton's main tourist site.[1]
1905-1908. Plans for a hotel and a railway meet opposition from defenders of the Alpine heritage, backed by the Heimatschutz.[1]
1959. In November the initiative committee of Robert Boschung, promoter of the « Vieux Chalet » at Crésuz, applies for a federal concession for a gondola lift from Pringy to Plan-Francey and a cable car to the summit.[3]
1961-1963. In May 1961 the Grand Council approves a 4 km cantonal road, estimated at about 7 million francs, from Pringy to La Chaux. It is built from March 1962 to July 1963.[3]
1963. In January the Zurich architect William Dunkel presents a development plan for 3'000 beds. In December a gondola from La Chaux to La Vudalla and two ski tows, designed by the architect Marc Wuarin, go into service. The section from Plan-Francey to the summit follows the next winter.[1][2][3]
1964. The model of the resort is shown at the National Exhibition in Lausanne. In September the resort reports 260 written enquiries.[3]
1966-1967. An architectural competition leads in June 1966 to a plan for 80 houses. In 1967 the resort decides to build the Grevîre residence itself, and Walter Tüscher replaces Dunkel as official architect.[3]
1976. Migros considers buying the complex, then drops the idea. The creditors write off 90 % of their claims.[3]
1978. The Valais brothers Bernard and Philippe Micheloud buy 14'496 m² of land and build 14 chalets on it.[3]
1980. On 7 October the Grand Council frees the resort from its road debt of 3.5 million francs. The holiday village goes up at the foot of the mountain.[1][3]
1983. The Michelouds bring the management of the lifts, restaurants and lettings under one roof.[3]
Around 1988. The village has some fifty chalets, three apartment buildings, shops and a sports centre, giving 1'200 beds out of the 3'500 planned.[3]
1998. A new funicular links the village with Plan-Francey.[1][2]
Historic sites in Moléson-sur-Gruyères
Funicular. In service since 1998, it links Moléson-sur-Gruyères with Plan-Francey.[1][2]
Summit section. The section from Plan-Francey to the summit of the Moléson opened the winter after the 1963 launch.[3]
Chalet de la Chaux-Dessous. This chalet, on the Place de l'Aigle, is listed as a cultural property (category B).[4]
Observatory and alpine cheese dairy. The resort has turned towards summer with an astronomical observatory and an alpine cheese dairy.[1][3]
Sources
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Moléson » (Jean-Claude Vial), version du 19.01.2010
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Gruyères (commune) » (Jean-Marc Purro), version du 24.07.2006
- Moléson, « Histoire »
- Office fédéral de la protection de la population, « Révision Inventaire PBC 2021 : Liste cantonale Canton de FR » (état au 1.1.2026)
Other villages near Moléson-sur-Gruyères
Missing information, or do you have a source? Suggest a correction or addition. Every submission is checked before it's published.
Suggest a change