The train empties at Broc-Fabrique.  We can see the Cailler factory from the station and everyone heads towards it!

The smell of chocolate lingers in the air as we walk into the entrance foyer! The visit starts with a 20 minute visual experience of the history of chocolate going as far back as the Aztecs. We walk through several rooms, each with its own display. We stop at the machine which is wrapping small chocolate shapes in brightly coloured red and blue wrappers. A plate is placed at the end of the production line and the chocolates drop off the end onto a plate which we are allowed to sample. They are delicious. We are ushered through another doorway. A lady is in the centre of the room surrounded on all four sides by a counter. On the counter there are over 20 plates of at least 30 different chocolates to sample! I feel like Charlie in the Chocolate Factory!! I try at least a dozen and, oh, the smell and the taste.....just divine! Some people are sampling every single type!! The children there are so excited at being allowed to taste whatever they want. The room is just buzzing with excited conversations! There is a shop there but I have already bought some from the supermarket. My favourite? The dark chocolate and whole hazelnuts....mmmmmmmmmm! Our next stop is Gruyères, a 25 minute train ride from Broc. Across the road from the station is La Maison du Gruyères, a demonstration cheese dairy, where Gruyere cheese is being made. I have never seen so many rounds of cheese!! The medieval town of Gruyères is a fifteen minute walk from the station up a hill. Walking through the city gate, we see a cobblestoned main street bordered by beautifully preserved medieval buildings. Gruyere is a car free village so we can criss cross the street as we like. Little shops selling all things Swiss and many restaurants offering the local dishes. Fondues and crepes are everywhere. The signature dish of this area is meringues with Gruyères double cream! The restaurants proudly advertise all their dishes are made with fresh local ingredients. We try some fresh asparagus soup and regional bread. Perfect! Right at the top of the main street is the Chateau de Gruyères. We pay to go in and begin with a 20 minute movie taking us through the history of the castle. We explore the three levels and then go out into the garden which is looking very pretty with spring flowers in bloom. The lilac bushes are covered with deliciously fragrant purple flowers. The clouds are coming across dark and grey but the rain holds off and we meander our way down the path to the station. A truly delightful day. Colin hasn't finished though. He has to put another coat of paint on Fi's wall to see if the second one he bought matches. Fi cooks a delicious dinner for the painter and his wife! We travelled on Swiss Rail www.sbb.ch Fribourg to Broc-Fabrique 55 minutes Broc-Fabrique to Gruyères 25 minutes Gruyères to Fribourg 57 minutes For information on the Maison Cailler, the Swiss Chocolate Factory and the village of Gruyères www.la-gruyere.ch