How better to describe Switzerland than with its chocolate, enchanting nature parks, and a castle perched atop a mountain? Broc could easily be considered the perfect Swiss business card, as it encompasses it all. So, for today, let’s say farewell to the blue waters of Lake Geneva (if you’ve been following this trip from the start) or to the familiar sights of everyday life (if this is your first time reading this article), and let’s embark on a virtual adventure to discover what to see in Broc, Switzerland — home to fairy-tale-like Gorges de la Jogne and the country’s oldest chocolate brand.
Ready to travel to Brock? We have a full day ahead, so let’s get started…
Location: Broc, Switzerland
Cost: Mix of paid and free attractions
Length: 1 day
How to get there: By a car. Gorges and chocolate factory should be accessible by public transport as well.
Start Your Broc Travel Itinerary with Swiss Chocolate at Cailler
The day has barely started, and already I’m faced with a tough choice: Swiss cheese or chocolate? It’s a real dilemma!
Since we all know chocolate is the key to happiness, let’s head straight to the Cailler chocolate factory in Broc, Switzerland.
You have to purchase entrance ticket – check prices and working hours.
Fortunately, late April isn’t considered tourist season in Switzerland, so we can grab our tickets on-site. However, entry is strictly by the schedule, so we have to wait impatiently by the gate for our turn. It feels just like waiting in line to see Santa Claus when you were a child.
Finally, when our time arrives, we’re handed an audio guide, and the sweetest chapter of our Broc travel itinerary can begin.
Trapped in The Time Machine at Cailler Chocolate Factory in Broc
It all begins with a time machine—a sensory journey filled with sound, light, and visual effects that takes you from the dark jungles of an Aztec village to retro chocolate commercials on old televisions.
But there’s a catch—once the door closes behind you, you’re trapped in the chocolate story. You’ll only move on to the next room once the time machine unlocks the door.
But hey, now you know that, in ancient times, a cup of hot chocolate was almost considered a love potion.
The Magical Ingredient of Swiss Chocolate
Once you return to the present, your freedom is restored. Now, you can learn about the chocolate ingredients at your own pace.
In the next room of the Swiss Chocolate factory, there are several large containers—one holds cocoa beans. You can smell them, and yes, they truly smell like chocolate! You can also touch them. And if you’re not squeamish about eating from a communal container where everyone helps themselves, you can even taste the beans. I, however, am still haunted by the memories of the recent pandemic, so I didn’t risk it. But my travel companions said the beans didn’t taste much like chocolate at all.
Other containers hold vanilla and nuts. You can smell those too. But what really catches your attention are large, white, shapeless blocks. What are they?
You probably can’t taste them. They don’t look too appetizing anyways. But you can touch them. They feel slightly slippery, almost greasy. Quite interesting.
Finally, the audio guide of Cailler chocolate factory solves the mystery—they’re cocoa butter!
Am I the only one who feels that these fatty blocks somehow dampen the desire to eat chocolate? But just for a moment.
Meet Chocolate Making Robot
Unfortunately, it’s not possible to go on a tour of the Callier factory itself. They have to maintain sanitary conditions during the production process. But don’t be too disappointed—behind a glass wall, there’s a chocolate-making machine on display. As you watch, you can see a large block of chocolate being transformed into small strips, which are then cut and drizzled with even more chocolate. Yum!
Next, a robotic arm comes into play, moving lightning-fast to transfer the new chocolate treats from one line to another, where they are wrapped up. And in the end, you can even taste these delicious Swiss chocolates.
But don’t worry, robots haven’t completely taken over the world just yet. Behind the counter, two professionals demonstrate how to make chocolate figurines by hand.
Dreams Come True in Broc, Switzerland: Eat as Much Chocolate as You Can
TNow we know how chocolate is made. But what would a visit to a chocolate factory be without a tasting? That would be quite a disappointment.
But there’s no need to be sad because, at the end of the tour, you get the chance to fulfill your childhood dream—you can eat as much chocolate as you can handle! Just don’t try to leave with pockets full of it. It’s for eating on-site only.
That was one tasty experience! And now—it’s time to put all that sugar energy to good use and go for a nice walk. So let’s head to the next tourist attraction in Brock, Switzerland.
2nd Stop of Our Broc Travel Itinerary: The Wonderland of Gorges de la Jogne
If I’m not mistaken, Alice in Wonderland falls through a rabbit hole. We, on the other hand, will enter a wonderland hidden in Broc, Switzerland, through a mountain tunnel.
But let’s not rush ahead! I want to give you the chance to enjoy the adventure from the very beginning. So, let’s park the car by the roadside and head down the forest path.
The forest might seem like any other, but listen carefully! What do you hear?
That’s the sound of the first waterfall.
Kickstarting Your Gorges de la Jogne Adventure in Broc: The Waterfall
On this trail, there are so many waterfalls that you’ll need to give them nicknames to tell them apart. Let’s call this one the “high waterfall with two levels,” in honor of the point where the water splits. It may not be Niagara, but for a Latvian used to waterfalls that tend to stretch out more in width than height, this one is quite impressive.
So, don’t mind me snapping 100 pictures – we’ll continue on our way towards Gorges de la Jogne. While many other trails might feature a waterfall as the final destination or main highlight, here, it’s just the beginning.
Stone Portal to Another World: Gorges de la Jogne
After a short while, you’ll find yourself facing a rocky tunnel – the mouth of a cave etched into the stone wall. Shall we risk it? Of course! Let’s go inside.
It’s dark inside the tunnel. Can you hear the water dripping? Small streams trickle from the cave walls, forming little puddles on the ground. So, watch your step! I’ve already soaked my sneakers.
But when you emerge on the other side, you’ll realize this was a portal, and you’ve arrived in a wonderland – a valley nestled between towering rock walls. The cliffs are massive, and below you, an unbelievably blue river flows.
If only we could lock this view of Gorges de la Jogne in our memories forever!
The Valley of Gorges de la Jogne is So Breathtaking You could Film Fantasy Movies Here
We could stand here and stare at this beauty forever, but let’s not block the way for others – in Gorges de la Jogne there’s still more to see!
The crystal-clear river accompanies us along the entire walk. It’s full of massive stones, many of which seem to have broken off from the grand rock walls ages ago. Maybe that’s exactly what happened? But the little moss-covered rocks look like troll spines.
A little further along the Gorges de la Jogne trail, we come across the next waterfall. This time, it looks like a stone wall had been built across the river, and the waterfall has carved a hole right through it. Let’s call this one the “small flat waterfall.”
The terrain in Gorges de la Jogne trail is varied – you’ll need to conquer stones, bridges, and even some stairs. But it’s totally worth it, as here stands the next waterfall. This one has a network of tiny streams, dividing the water into countless directions. And along the way, you’ll also encounter its alter ego – a waterfall flowing straight down the rock wall.
Perhaps this whole story should be called The Fifty Shades of Waterfalls in Brock, Switzerland?
It probably doesn’t surprise you anymore, but on this trail, there’s yet another waterfall that flows from a small stream out of a dark cave in the rock wall…
Alright, as beautiful as it all is, let’s stop talking about waterfalls now.
Wrapping Up Your Gorges de la Jogne Adventure: The Dam
Time has flown by unnoticed, and we’ve reached the end of the Gorges de la Jogne trail, where a surprise awaits by the lake – a massive, round dam. You can admire it or even walk across it, though, if you’ve seen any horror movies about dams, you might hesitate.
The way back is along the same trail we came. But the Gorges de la Jogne path is so beautiful that it doesn’t feel disappointing. And human memory is so short! For example, I had already forgotten about that stone wall whose jagged surface looks as sharp as razors, ready to slice through a finger.
What’s next? I think it will be very hard to beat the otherworldly beauty of Gorges de la Jogne, but we have one more tourist attraction in Broc, Switzerland to visit.
End Your Trip to Broc, Switzerland with a Castle on a Hill: Château de Gruyères
As we were searching for the chocolate factory in Broc, our attention was caught by the Château de Gruyères castle shrouded in mist at the top of a mountain. And when you spot a castle perched on a mountaintop, there’s no other choice but to visit it.
After parking the car, climbing the mountain, and passing through the gates, we discovered that Château de Gruyères isn’t just a castle—it was a whole medieval town, complete with beautiful, ancient houses.
It seems that today, however, it has turned into a tourist village, filled with cafes and souvenir shops. But despite that buildings still retain their charm. Walking around here is a true delight. The eye is drawn to the tiled roofs, decorated window frames, and shutters, while in the middle of the main square stands an old stone fountain. All of it exudes a unique charm. One of the gutters even has a dragon’s head mounted on it—artificial, of course.
The view of the church against the misty mountain backdrop is especially stunning. It’s so beautiful that someone has even built a special stone window for visitors to admire it through.
As for the Château de Gruyères itself, it’s like Geneva’s Jet d’Eau fountain or the Jvari monastery in Georgia: the most impressive view comes from a distance, not when you’re standing right next to it. Unfortunately, the opening hours of Château de Gruyères are limited, and we missed the chance to go inside.
So, what shall we do? Let’s walk around the Château de Gruyères and see what else we can discover.
Along the way, we are treated to breathtaking views of the mountain landscapes. And then your ears pick up on something. The sound is like hundreds of wind chimes ringing in unison.
Do you know what it is?
It’s the sound of sheep! Each one has a bell hanging around its neck. And as soon as they spot a human, they classify them as a friend (or maybe a potential feeder?), and the whole flock runs up to the fence, making dozens of bells jingle.
Fun Thing We Learned from Our Trip to Brock, Switzerland
In the mountains, both the cows and the sheep wear bells around their necks, so that if they wander off, it’s easier to find them.
Now, this has been a long day exploring Broc, Switzerland, so our energy is running low, and it’s time to head off for a well-deserved rest.
Wasn’t it the perfect day in Broc?
If we had just a little more energy, we would have added a visit to the nearby cheese factory to this ideal Broc day trip. But no worries, the journey isn’t over yet. We still have two more days of our Switzerland trip.
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