Tastings · L'Etivaz
La Maison de L'Etivaz
La Maison de L'Etivaz runs guided tours of the L'Etivaz AOP ripening cellars at 10:00 and 14:00, by reservation only on +41 26 924 70 60. The visit includes a film, the cellars, virtual reality cheesemaking and, on some formulas, a tasting. The shop next door is open daily all year.
- Tours
- 10:00 and 14:00
- Booking
- Required, +41 26 924 70 60
- Shop
- Daily, all year
- Where
- Route des Mosses 72, L'Etivaz
The Cheese
L'Etivaz AOP is a hard cheese made only in summer, on the alps of the Pays-d'Enhaut, in copper cauldrons heated over wood fires. The producers' cooperative collects the young wheels and ripens them in its cellars in the village, where they are turned and salted for at least 135 days.
The Cellar Tour
Tours start at 10:00 and 14:00 and you must book; arrive at least 10 minutes early. A film introduces the cheese, a guide takes you into the cellars, and a virtual reality headset shows the cheesemaking on the alp. There are three formulas: the guided tour, the guided tour with tasting, and a longer one with film, tour and tasting. Prices are on the cooperative's rate sheet, linked from its visits page. Groups can ask for other times.
The Shop
The shop sells three or four ages of L'Etivaz from the cellars next door, a 100% L'Etivaz fondue mix, grated and cubed cheese and rebibes, the thin curls shaved from old wheels, plus herbal teas, sausages and pastries from the Pays-d'Enhaut.
- June to August: Monday to Saturday 8:00 to 18:30, Sundays and holidays 9:00 to 17:00
- September to May: Monday to Saturday 8:00 to 12:30 and 13:30 to 17:30, Sundays and holidays 9:00 to 17:00
- Closed from noon on 24, 25 and 31 December and all day on 1 January
Désalpe de L'Etivaz
The village celebrates the return of the herds in late September, with cattle parades from 9:00, a craft market, a cheese competition judged on the festival square and the first tasting of the summer's cheese. In 2026 it was on 26 September and entry cost CHF 10, free for under-16s, including shuttle buses. See Désalpe festivals.
Getting There
L'Etivaz is on the road between Château-d'Oex and the Col des Mosses. The PostBus stops at Maison de l'Etivaz, and there is free parking around the cellars. Over the Col des Mosses and down through Château-d'Oex, La Maison du Gruyère makes a good pairing on the same day.
Where to Stay near Château-d'Oex
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Next: 8 Jun 2027Questions People Ask
Do you need to book the L'Etivaz cellar tour?
Yes. Tours at 10:00 and 14:00 are by reservation only, on +41 26 924 70 60.
When is L'Etivaz cheese made?
Only in summer, while the herds are on the alps. The wheels then ripen in the cooperative's cellars for at least 135 days.
Official site: etivaz-aop.ch/en/the-letivaz-house/. Dates, hours and prices checked 22 October 2026; confirm on the official site before you travel. See all cheese tastings.