Grand Chalet

ROSSINIERE

Built between 1752 and 1756, the Grand Chalet was designed to house a vast cheese cellar. The building, then known as the Grande Maison, was intended as a storage facility for the region's cheeses. Indeed, local farmers would store up to 600 pieces of cheese before selling them on the markets in Bulle or exporting them as far as Lyon.

The Grand Chalet is therefore one of the largest wooden dwellings in Switzerland, measuring 27 metres long (south-facing facade) and 19.5 metres high at the roofline. The Grand Chalet has a respectable 113 windows. Almost 700 cubic metres of timber were used in the construction, all from the region. The roof is made of shingles, typical of the region. The façade is richly decorated with paintings of flowers and animals. The engraved texts accompanying the paintings mention the Christian convictions of the first owner, whose illness also influenced the contents.

In 1852, the Grand Chalet was converted into a hotel-pension and took on its current name. A great deal of work was undertaken, including restoration of the façade paintings and various modifications to adapt the premises to their new role. The painter Balthus bought it in 1977 and stayed there until the end of his life.

Information : Pays-d'Enhaut Tourisme, +41 (0)26 924 25 25