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Travels

Date: 30-08-2007

Holiday - Switzerland - Tete de Moine - Vallorbe - St. Cergue and beyond

Writen by: Paul le Roux

Bellelay Cheese

As usual, the train out was as pleasurable as could be! I just love Swiss trains! The whole public transport system. Switzerland in its entirety, in fact! We pulled into Vallorbe station, and soon my friend Philipp would join me for another stretch along the Jura High Route.

Now of course, I've missed a bit of a stretch of the way, in case you've been following the last story, "Wo Gibt es Bier", which had culminated with me going down the Poeta Raisse and Philipp heading on to le Chasseron. So I do still have to go back and see if you actually raided my stash of icy beers left behind in the "Cave de Glace", and document my adventure from there to Vallorbe via le Chasseron and le Suchet.

Now the first part of this trip is a short little walk, although it be a little detour, but it's one not to be missed. If you miss this one, then I'm sorry, but you're just going to have to return again one day and go do the little detour! For this is the place, a series of underground caverns, called Les Grottes de Vallorbe, with its splendour of colour, the stalactites and stalagmites come alive. And it is here that the Orbe River is born. There is a small entry fee, by the way, a mere 14 Swiss Francs per adult, and 7 Francs for under-sixteens, and there are also group discounts available. You can get the latest prices here.

It's easy to find from Vallorbe anyway - just follow the Orbe River, really. Otherwise, it might be worthwhile to invest in a map, the 1:50000 251 T La Sarraz, which will also be useful in finding your way up to Dent de Vaulion, another place not to be missed for its breathtaking views. On a clear day you can actually see over Lac Leman and be able to make out Mont Blanc in the French Alps to the south, the Swiss Alps to the east, and you'll also be able to see Lac de Joux, which is one of the stops we'd be making on the way to Mont Tendre.

There's also a restaurant on the way, just a few minutes walk from the top, which can also be reached by car from Lac de Joux via the Mollendruz road, turning left at Petra-Felix where a small straight road will lead you there - just for those who aren't in the mood for a hike but would still like to enjoy the view. I think it's open from around mid-May till sometime around the end of October, but you can always phone ahead to be sure. The number is +41 (0)21 843 2836. So you can still go enjoy a great cheese fondue and take in the sights, and a really clear day is most desirable for this.

There are a couple of ramps up there that lead over the edge of the mountain, as I remember, but do please note that these are not for vehicles but for paragliders!

Authour: As promised, Paul's great travels in Europe has landed him with fine company, fine food and great scenery. He is back again to tell us more.

Other articles by Paul and Peter le Roux, the two Europe travelling brothers.
Switzerland - Wo gibt es Bier Part 1
Switzerland - Wo gibt es Bier Part 2
Switzerland - Wo gibt es Bier Part 3
Switzerland - Wo gibt es Bier Part 4
Part 1 of Chateau de Chillon: Switzerland - Chateau de Chillon (Part 1)
Part 2 of Chateau de Chillon: Switzerland - Chateau de Chillon (Part 2)
Part 3 of Chateau de Chillon: Switzerland - Chateau de Chillon (Part 3)
Brugge of Belgium: Belgium - Brugge
HMS Belfast: London - HMS Belfast - Floating War Museum