Gruyères Castle sits at the highest point of the medieval hilltop town, its towers visible from the valley floor and surrounded by a ring of battlements that have stood since the 13th century. The castle served as the seat of the counts of Gruyère, one of the most powerful noble families in medieval Switzerland, and the great hall and courtyard still convey something of that medieval grandeur. Inside, rooms are furnished to different historical periods, including a remarkable Flemish tapestry collection and some fine painted ceilings.
The views from the castle's terrace are genuinely spectacular: across the valley to the jagged limestone ridges of the Préalpes Fribourgeoises, and south toward the higher Alps. The garden below the castle walls is well maintained and offers a pleasant route back down to the main street. The castle can get very crowded in high season — go early morning if you want the experience without crowds.