HR Giger in Gruyeres

Northwest of Geneva and past the upper reaches of the lake is the cheese making village of Gruyeres. Perched on a hill top, the medieval looking town has ramparts, a castle and chateau, and an wide cobblestoned street lined with heritage buildings with a fountain the the centre. Below the hilltop village is the cheese making factory.

Entering the village via the rampart

Main Street of Gruyeres

Giger's chateau beyond the Le Chalet

Castle of Gruyeres

Contrasting with this medieval charm is the HR Giger Museum housed in the chateau that was owned by the artist. The museum has a huge collection of Giger's paintings, drawings and designs including his Alien works. While studying his artworks on the wall, hovering above you is one of his life size Alien creatures that looks ready to strike. His artwork is very surreal, dark, and highly detailed. Even the walls and floors are imprinted with his designs. Outside in the garden of Giger's chateau, he has designed feature walls and seating. While photos could be taken outside, no photography is allowed inside the museum.

Sculptures outside the entry to the museum

The garden and patio of Giger's chateau

Giger designed garden chairs that look like the bones of a spine- a contrast to the old chateau

Spinal bones link together to form a garden wall

Next to the museum is the HR Giger Bar which was designed by the artist. You feel as if you are in one of his artworks - a very alien world. The bar chairs and high back lounge chairs resemble the spine of an alien but are comfortable seats.

HR Giger Bar

Detailed skeletal ribs form the ceiling. Chairs take the form of spines and bones

A speciality on the menu were meringues and double cream produced in Gruyeres

Trying out the high back skeletal chairs

Detail of the ceiling and bar

Outside the bar which is part of the chateau