Les Paccots – La Veveyse
Les Paccots – La Veveyse is a tourism region in the canton of Fribourg in western Switzerland, nestled in the Fribourg Pre-Alps between the Veveyse valley and the heights above Lake Geneva. It is a rural, mountain-oriented destination centred on the village of Châtel-St-Denis and the Les Paccots resort, with no large cities and abundant forests, alpine pastures, peat bogs and mountain lakes. The region is known for its network of over 150 km of marked hiking trails, gourmet trails linking alpine huts, and a strong local gastronomic identity built around cheese, fondue and regional specialities. In winter it offers skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, ski touring and snowshoeing across the Les Paccots and Rathvel ski areas. The area retains a traditional, village character with seasonal customs such as the Bénichon harvest festival and the Désalpe descent of the herds.
Summer activities
In summer, Les Paccots – La Veveyse is a hiking and cycling destination with over 150 km of marked trails across the Fribourg Pre-Alps, from easy family walks to demanding summit and trail routes around the Niremont and Teysachaux. The region's signature offer is its network of gourmet trails, where each stage of a meal is served at a different alpine hut, alongside the Fondue Adventure that lets hikers carry a fondue kit into the mountains. Mountain biking, road cycling, gravel and e-bike routes, a pumptrack at Châtel-St-Denis, and family activities such as treasure trails, geocaching and a recreation area round out the summer programme.
Winter activities
In winter, Les Paccots – La Veveyse is a compact ski destination. The Les Paccots ski area, between 1000 and 1500 metres, offers 20 km of prepared pistes for skiers and snowboarders, while the family-friendly Rathvel station adds 8 km of slopes served by four ski lifts; both are part of the MagicPass and served by three ski schools. Cross-country skiing is available on the Cuva and Le Crêt trails, and marked ski-touring itineraries plus occasional night ski-touring evenings are offered. Snowshoeing routes, a skating rink and snow-free winter alternatives complete the offer.
Culture and entertainment
Les Paccots – La Veveyse has a modest but lively cultural and traditional life rooted in its rural character. Seasonal customs such as the Bénichon harvest festival, the Désalpe descent of the herds, carnival and the Swiss wrestling festival anchor the region's identity, while a small programme of concerts, theatre, cinema and art exhibitions, including an open-air art festival at Bossonnens, provides cultural entertainment. Local heritage is also expressed through cheese-making visits and the region's culinary traditions.
