iCyclades - Cyclades Discovery Guide

The Billens Tower was built at the end of the 14th century and its wood frame dates from the 16th century. The Tour de Billens Association, supported by the Rondmons Knights Foundation, obtained its use in exchange for its restoration and gathered various medieval objects there.

The Boyer Tower was built in the 13th century. In the 19th century, it was acquired at auction by a man named Boyer who wanted to use the stones for other constructions. Fortunately, the city bought it before he could carry out this project. The esplanade is a nice playground for children.

The castle was built around 1240, with a tower at each corner and surrounded by moats. Its dungeon was the last refuge for locals in the event of an attack. The castle houses the Vitromusée, the Swiss Museum of Stained Glass and Glass Arts. Unique in the world, its collection illustrates the history of glass, with gems from the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, Art Nouveau, and contemporary creations.

The Collegiate Church of Romont, dedicated to Our Lady of the Assumption, was consecrated in the 13th century. Destroyed by fire in the 15th century, it was rebuilt in molasse in a flamboyant Gothic style. It has many stained glass windows from different eras.

We are here below the Tower of Fribourg, on Promenade des Avoines which runs along the foot of the city walls. The day we shot these panoramas, the ramparts walk was unfortunately inaccessible due to works.

We are here at the end of Grand-Rue (main street). On the other side of the street opens a passage which allows you to climb towards the nice promenade of the Tour du Sauvage (Wildman Tower).

To go to the collegiate church and the castle, go up towards Saint-Jacques Square and turn right on Rue des Béguines.

We pass here in front of the Capuchin Church, built in 1727, which today houses a cultural center. Further along, the street leads to the Fribourg Tower and the Promenade des Remparts (ramparts walk).

This square tower dates back to the 14th century and has been transformed many times. It serves as a cultural place in summer, with an exhibition every week and a show every Thursday evening. It also serves as a setting for an escape game outside the summer months.

On the other side of this passage, a staircase ramp allows you to climb to a nice promenade offering superb panoramic views.

On this square you will find the Romont Poste bus stop of the Fribourg Public Transport. Follow Rue des Béguines towards the collegiate church (you see the bell tower in the distance) to go to the castle.

We pass by the collegiate church, where we will of course enter because it is worth the detour!

The street passes by the Béguines Tower, which was probably part of the city's first enclosure. Rebuilt after a fire in 1589, it served as a granary until the 19th century and currently houses classrooms.

We are here at the very south of the street, and we will go towards the castle. We can already see the dungeon in the distance.

The large building you see on the right is the Maison Saint-Charles, a former seminary for the training of priests which later became a boarding school, nowadays occupied by a specialized school.

We arrive here near the castle, which houses the Swiss Museum of Stained Glass and Glass Arts. Let's take a look at the door and at the courtyard!

We now walk along the bailey of the castle and its covered look-out way towards the collegiate church.

The climb is quite rough but the panorama that you will discover is worth it!

This nice promenade which offers superb panoramic views passes by the Tour du Sauvage (Wildman Tower) and ends at the Boyer Tower, with its beautiful esplanade.