DAY 1

09h45

The great departure

You’re all packed and ready to go: snow boots and a warm jacket for the snow-covered peaks, casual-chic clothing for meals and your glasses so you don’t miss a thing of the show. Turn the key, start the car, destination Epagny. In less than an hour, from Vevey, you’ll be ready for take-off.

10h30

Ready for take-off?

From Epagny, take to the skies with Swiss Helicopter to discover the most beautiful peaks in Switzerland. After the pre-Alps of Fribourg and Vaud, you’ll reach Mont Blanc in Cheillon, before flying over Zermatt, Saas Fee, the Rhone Glacier, the Finsteraarhorn, the Eiger, the Jungfrau, the Aletsch Glacier, Oeschinensee, Adelboden, Gastlosen and Charmey. Below you, the 4,000 mountains follow one another, majestic and incredible. To punctuate this two-hour flight, you’ll stop for an aperitif at an ice cream parlour before enjoying the delicious Italian cuisine offered by the Refuge du Cervin. Before continuing your adventure, why not make a detour to the Jungfraujoch and the Ice Palace?

www.swisshelicopter.ch

16h45

Balthus, did you say Balthus?

If the name Balthasar Klossowski doesn’t ring a bell, you’ve probably heard of Balthus. This famous figurative painter of Polish origin settled in Rossinière in the late 1970s. He lived here until his death in 2001. He left an indelible mark on this picturesque village, where a chapel named after him is dedicated to his memory. The artist’s world is revealed through documentary films, photographic reproductions, letters and literary works, inviting us to enter his intimate world. A fascinating experience!

www.fonds-balthus.com

19h00

A fondue in a horse-drawn carriage

Head for the Manège de Château-d’Oex for a very special meal. Comfortably seated aboard a covered horse-drawn carriage, you’ll enjoy a fondue produced by the fromagerie bio des Moulins, to the slow rhythm of the horses. An unusual gastronomic stroll through the streets of this world-famous village since Bertrand Piccard took off in his hot-air balloon on a non-stop round-the-world flight.

 

21h35

Cosy night

As a happy ending to this first day, the sandman will be waiting for you at the Hôtel de Rougemont & Spa. In this authentic mountain chalet, the spacious, bright rooms are decorated in Alpine style and offer a magnificent view of the surrounding mountain range. Absolute calm and relaxation are guaranteed, as you wind down Act 1 of your getaway.

www.hotelderougemont.com

 

DAY 2

09h05

Small papers

In this region, the art of decoupage is still very much alive. With infinite precision, the fingers of fairy godmothers create extremely fine handicrafts by cutting sheets of paper with small, sharp scissors. These unique creations reveal motifs generally inspired by natural scenes, such as the Poya. At La Tine, Corinne Karnstädt offers introductory workshops lasting 1h30 or 3h to try your hand at this ancestral art. Be patient, you’ll need it…

www.kcreation.ch

12h30

Papillae in seventh heaven

Has this conscientious morning whetted your appetite? So much the better! You’re back on the road to the charming village of Rougemont, where you’ll round off your escapade as exquisitely as the dishes on offer at Le Cerf restaurant. At this address once frequented by Lady Di, Liz Taylor or Pablo Neruda, a new team took over the reins in 2018. The decor has been completely redone. In the kitchen, chef Edgard Bouvier favors authentic cuisine, blending traditions and local produce. Pure delight.

www.lecerfrougemont.ch