Rustic dining in Les Paccots
Les Paccots offers some beautifully located rustic dining experiences. They all offer local cheese dishes, and will make you feel like Heidi. Tie on your hiking boots, or jump in the car, and head up to Les Paccots.
The places listed are just some of the rustic eateries in the area, and all are accessible by road. Websites are included where available. The addresses given for each of the places will not help you find the restaurants, as being in the countryside they are rather vague. However, cunning easy to follow instructions about how to get there from the village centre are included in this guide.
Chalet Restaurant Le Tsale (year round, closed Monday):
This farm style traditional restaurant (alt. 1061) looks as if it has been there for ever, although in terms of village history is a relatively new addition . Find the remains of an old charred door hanging on the walls, that is a remnant of one of the first farm buildings in Les Paccots. It's very cosy, and is a lovely place to spend an evening.
To get there on foot from the village centre follow the main road up through the village for a couple of minutes, and the restaurant is on the left immediately after the Ermitage hotel, just before the skating rink.
To get there by bus from Chatel St. Denis, get off at the stop by the Ermitage hotel.
To get there by car, follow the main road straight through the village, and look out for the Ermitage hotel on the left, Le Tsale is immediately after this. There is parking right in front.
Address: Chalet Restaurant Le Tsale, 1619 Les Paccots. Phone: +41 (0)21 948 07 00. www.orm.ch/tsale/index.html
Buvette de Saletta (June to September only, closed Monday, normal narrow road access):
This buvette, high in the prealp mountains (alt. 1500), offers unbelievably lovely views, particularly at sunset, and you may be lucky and get to watch the cows coming home. You will congratulate yourself for finding this one, because it's really special.
To get there by car, follow the main road up to Les Paccots and continue straight through the village. You will see a turning on your right with a sign post for the Auberge du Lac des Joncs. Don't take this turning, but keep following the main road. You will pass the Ermitage Hotel on your left and the skating rink (large covered structure) to the right of the road. About 1/2 mile beyond this is a largish car parking area with a sign on the right for the hotel Les Rosalys. Don't take this right turn to Les Rosalys, but keep following the main road as it enters the forest. About 30 seconds after this turning (by car), you will see a turning on the right with signs pointing to Creux des Tables, Buvette La Saletta and Buvette Le Vuipay. Take this turning on the right. Drive up and up and up and up and up for about 15 minutes (forest, then fields, then open steep mountain pasture). When you find yourself driving through open fields, along the side of the mountain, you are nearly there. The Buvette de Saletta is easy to identify as it is a farmhouse with outdoor seating, with umbrellas. You can also sit indoors.
To get there by bus and on foot, take the bus from Chatel St. Denis, to the final stop Les Rosalys (officially called Les Rosalys, Place - make sure you are on a bus that terminates at Les Rosalys). Once off the bus, continue on foot in the direction that you have been going on the bus. After about 2 minutes, you will see a road turning on the right with signs pointing to Creux des Tables, Buvette la Saletta and Buvette Le Vuipay. Take this turning on the right and follow the road. There are a couple of points where you can cut the corner by following yellow pedestrian signs, but essentially you are following the road. This walk takes a couple of hours.
To get there on foot from Les Paccots, follow the main road up through the village, keep going past the Ermitage Hotel and Le Tsale on your left, past the skating rink on the right, stay on the main road as it passes chalets until you reach a large car park below Les Rosalys Hotel (you will see a sign on the right pointing to the hotel). Don't take this turning. The walk will have taken about 20 minutes at this point. Stay on the main road, continuing in the same direction. After about 2 minutes, you will see a road turning on the right with signs pointing to Creux des Tables, Buvette la Saletta and Buvette Le Vuipay. Take this turning on the right and follow the road. There are a couple of points where you can cut the corner by following yellow pedestrian signs, but essentially you are following the road. This walk takes a couple of hours.
Address: Buvette de Salette, Route de la Dent de Lys 111, 1619 Les Paccots. Phone: +41 (0)79 332 2386. http://tinyurl.com/692wkb
Buvette le Vuipay (end of May to the start of October - normal narrow road access, and weekends from January onwards during the ski season - snowshoe access only):
This farm buvette is situated on the slopes of the satisfyingly pointy Teysachaux mountain (buvette alt. 1265 m). This buvette is in a lovely location and is a good start or end point to tackle the steep pasture and rock clamber to the top of Teysachaux (alt. 1909 m), or just to park and have a fondue!
To get there by car, follow the main road up to Les Paccots and continue straight through the village. You will see a turning on your right with a sign post for the Auberge du Lac des Joncs. Don't take this turning, but keep following the main road. You will pass the Ermitage Hotel on your left and the skating rink (large covered structure) to the right of the road. About 1/2 mile beyond this is a largish car parking area with a sign on the right for the hotel Les Rosalys. Don't take this right turn to Les Rosalys, but keep following the main road as it enters the forest. About 30 seconds after this turning (by car), you will see a turning on the right with signs pointing to Creux des Tables, Buvette La Saletta and Buvette Le Vuipay. Take this turning on the right. Drive up and up and up and up and up for about 15 minutes (forest, then fields, then open steep mountain pasture). Continue past the Buvette de Saletta and carry on along the road for another 5 minutes or so until the road ends. The buvette is located here with a big parking area.
To get there by bus and on foot, take the bus from Chatel St. Denis, to the final stop Les Rosalys (officially called Les Rosalys, Place - make sure you are on a bus that terminates at Les Rosalys). Once off the bus, continue on foot in the direction that you have been going on the bus. After about 2 minutes, you will see a road turning on the right with signs pointing to Creux des Tables, Buvette la Saletta and Buvette Le Vuipay. Do not take this turning, but instead continue on the same main road through the forest. A few minutes after you cross a road bridge over a small gorge, look for small signs shaped like Gruyeres cheese on the right pointing you to the buvette. Follow these signs. This walk takes a couple of hours. This is also the route for snow-shoeing in the winter. The author has only been to the buvette by car, so hasn't tried the walking route or the snow shoe option Perhaps consider contacting the tourist office in advance to confirm this is the correct route, particularly if you're doing it by snow shoe. Also it would be sensible to confirm in advance that the buvette will be open if you are hiking up in the winter.
To get there on foot from Les Paccots, follow the main road up through the village, keep going past the Ermitage Hotel and Le Tsale on your left, past the skating rink on the right, stay on the main road as it passes chalets until you reach a large car park below Les Rosalys Hotel (you will see a sign on the right pointing to the hotel). Don't take this turning. The walk will have taken about 20 minutes at this point. Stay on the main road, continuing in the same direction. After about 2 minutes, you will see a road turning on the right with signs pointing to Creux des Tables, Buvette la Saletta and Buvette Le Vuipay. Do not take this turning, but instead continue on the same main road through the forest. A few minutes after you cross a road bridge over a small gorge, look for small signs shaped like Gruyeres cheese on the right pointing you to the buvette. Follow these signs. This walk takes a couple of hours. This is also the route for snow-shoeing in the winter. The author has only been to the buvette by car, so hasn't tried the walking route or the snow shoe option Perhaps consider contacting the tourist office in advance to confirm this is the correct route, particularly if you're doing it by snow shoe. Also it would be sensible to confirm in advance that the buvette will be open if you are hiking up in the winter.
Address: Buvette du Vuipay, Rte de la Dent-de-Lys, 1619, Les Paccots. Tel: +41 (0)21 948 04 32. http://tinyurl.com/62j8dw
Les Rosalys (year round, closed Thursday, except July and August):
This is a very cute hotel and restaurant, which you wouldn't easily stumble across. They serve regional food (fondues, and meats), and is also a nice place to have a hot chocolate. In the winter, you can stop off for a meal whilst skiing, as it is situated next to the black run ski lift, Pralet.
To get there by car, follow the main road up to Les Paccots and continue through the village, keep following the main road past the skating rink and past chalets. After about 1/2 mile, look for a steep road on the right with a wooden sign for Hotel Restaurant Les Rosalys. (If you have missed this turning and find yourself driving through forest without any chalets, you have gone too far). Follow the sign to Les Rosalys up the little steep road on the right. The hotel/restaurant is at the top of this road, and has parking in front of it.
To get there by bus and on foot, take the bus from Chatel St. Denis, to the final stop Les Rosalys (officially called Les Rosalys, Place - make sure you are on a bus that terminates at Les Rosalys as there are occasional summer buses which terminate at Lac des Joncs). Once off the bus, you will see a sign for Les Rosalys hotel. Follow this step road for five minutes and when you reach the top, you will see the hotel/restaurant on the right.
To get there on foot from Les Paccots, follow the main road up through the village, keep going past the Ermitage Hotel and Le Tsale on your left, past the skating rink on the right, stay on the main road as it passes chalets until you reach a large car park below Les Rosalys Hotel (you will see a sign on the right pointing to the hotel). Follow this sign up a steep road for five minutes and when you reach the top, you will see the hotel/restaurant on the right. The whole walk will take 20-30 minutes.
Address: Les Rosalys, 1619 Les Paccots. Phone +41 (0)21 948 80 80. www.lesrosalys.ch/
Auberge du Lac des Joncs (year round):
This is a nice place to lunch while skiing, or to savour some local ambience all year round. It is particularly popular with families, and has a nice patio area to sit outside on a sunny day. The small lake behind the auberge is a draw for nature lovers.
To get there by car: Following the main road through the village, take the first proper road on the right after the ski hire shop Sport 'Yves. There is a sign for the Auberge at this turning and you will see the adventure playground in a field running up the side of the road. Follow the road uphill to the main ski lift area (big car park, Caisse (ticket office). Don't park here, but look for the signpost on the right after the main ticket office up a twisty road to the Auberge du Lac des Joncs. Go up this road. There is parking to the side of the hotel/restaurant. The drive will take about 5-10 minutes.
To get there by foot from the centre of Les Paccots: Walk following the driving instructions above. The walk will take approximately 30-45 minutes.
To get there by bus and on foot option 1 (Summer only): Take the bus to Lac des Joncs from Chatel St. Denis or from the village centre from the bus stop opposite the little village shop (stop officially called Dent-de-Lys). Make sure you are on a bus that terminates at Lac des Joncs, and not Les Rosalys.
To get there by bus and foot option 2 (year round): Take the bus from Chatel St. Denis, to the final stop Les Rosalys (officially called Les Rosalys, Place - make sure you are on a bus that terminates at Les Rosalys as there are occasional summer buses which terminate at Lac des Joncs). Once off the bus, you will see a sign for Les Rosalys hotel. Follow this steep road for five minutes and when you reach the top, you will see Les Rosalys hotel/restaurant on the right. With your back to Les Rosalys hotel turn right, follow yellow pedestrian signs, and walk until you reach the woods. Follow the marked path up through the woods. The path follows the route of the stream through the forest. At the top of the woods you will pop out in the main ski area in a large car park. Turn left and follow the road for a few minutes, until you see Auberge du Lac des Joncs signposted up a twisty road on the right. Follow this road until you reach the auberge and lake.
Address: Auberge du Lac des Joncs, 1619 Les Paccots. Phone +41 (0)21 948 71 23
Chalet Incrota (end May to end September):
This is a pretty farm buvette, which is nice for children or a good stop off point on a hike on a sunny day. The buvette has lots of animals wandering around just outside the fenced dining area. The buvette is set in fields full of grazing cows, with woodlands close by and nice views over the plain towards the Jura mountains. They have a small menu of local food and if you want a bigger more formal meal, you need to order this in advance.
To get there by car: follow the main road up to Les Paccots and continue through the village, keep following the main road past the skating rink and past chalets. About 1/2 mile beyond this is a largish car parking area with a sign on the right for the hotel Les Rosalys. Don't take this right turn to Les Rosalys, but keep following the main road as it enters the forest. About 30 seconds after this turning (by car), you will see a turning on the right with signs pointing to Creux des Tables, Buvette La Saletta and Buvette Le Vuipay. Don't take this turning, but continue on the main road as it curves to the left. Continue through the forest. Shortly after you cross a small road bridge taking you over a wooden gorge, take the first proper road turning on the right where you see a sign to Rathvel. Follow this until you see a sign for Chalet Incrota, take the turning and drive up a slightly twisty road through farmland to the buvette. The whole journey is about 3 1/2 miles.
To get there on foot from the centre of Les Paccots: Follow the main road up through the village, keep going past the Ermitage Hotel and Le Tsale on your left, past the skating rink on the right, stay on the main road as it passes chalets until you reach a large car park below Les Rosalys Hotel (you will see a sign on the right pointing to the hotel). Don't take this, but instead continue on the main road, following yellow pedestrian signs to Moleson. Continue to follow signs to Moleson along the forest road, along a forest path and then up a twisty road through pastureland and you will arrive at the buvette. The walk takes about an hour.
To get there by bus and on foot: Take the bus from Chatel St. Denis to the final stop, Les Rosalys, Place. Once off the bus, continue on foot in the direction that you have been going on the bus. Follow yellow pedestrian signs to Moleson . Continue to follow signs to Moleson along the forest road, along a forest path and then up a twisty road through pastureland and you will arrive at the buvette. The walk takes less than an hour.
To get there by bus, funicular and on foot: Take the bus from Gruyeres to Moleson village. Take the funicular to Plan Francey. Follow yellow pedestrian signs to Les Paccots. These will bring you to the buvette. The walk takes several hours.
Address: Chalet Incrota, Rte de Rombuet 174, 1616 Attalens. Phone: +41 (0)21 948 70 85
Creperie (ski season only):
At the base of Lac des Joncs ski lift below the Auberge du Lac des Joncs is a small kiosk (also nice), and across from this is a lean to structure where you can buy delicious crepes with all sorts of tasty fillings. Mmm.
To get there by car: Following the main road through the village, take the first proper road on the right after the ski hire shop Sport 'Yves. There is a sign for the Auberge du Lac des Joncs at this turning and you will see the adventure playground in a field running up the side of the road. Follow the road uphill to the main ski lift area (big car park, Caisse (ticket office). Look for the signpost on the right after the main ticket office up a twisty road to the Auberge du Lac des Joncs. Don't take follow this sign post, but instead continue on the main road and you will see a kiosk selling snacks. Diagonally opposite this to the right is a farm house with the lean-to creperie.
To get there by foot from the centre of Les Paccots: Walk following the driving instructions above. Unfortunately, there are no buses up to the ski resort in the winter, but if the drag ski lift is open up from the village during ski season, for skiers it is possible to get up to the resort and ski to the creperie.
