Drive or train to Gruyere & Broc
 

We will be overnight in Lausanne and will then go to Gruyere and then Broc. Afterwards, we have a rather lengthy drive to Alpe d'Huez (@3.5h).

I was thinking that it would be easiest to pick up our rental car in Lausanne in the morning, drive up to Gruyere and then Broc - and then drive straight on to Alpe d'Huez (this does take us pretty much right back through Lausanne). The driving times seem to be shorter than the train times.

My question is - is there any great advantage to taking the train such as views or convenience?

Thanks,
Heather

It's a long day with driving, hardly doable with public transportation, I'd say.

The question is where you will return the car - if in France, did you check drop-off fees?

Count at least 4 hrs (without lunch) for a somewhat decent visit of Gruyeres (cheese dairy, castle, medieval city and may be 1 museum) and the Broc chocolate factory. Seen your time frame, there is no other solution than the car.

Sounds like the car is the way to go.

The car is returned in Geneva where we will fly home from so no extra fees (already booked).

So if we aim to be there at 9am we should be ok departing around 2pm (including lunch), meaning we would arrive in Alpe d'Huez around 6 if we didn't make any other stops. That works.

H

You should be aware of the restrictions on driving in Gruyere. The entire center of town is closed to traffic and there are parking lots you must use. From the far lot it can be quite a walk.
For odd entertainment try the Giger museum.

Gruyeres: Count about 10 min on foot from the car parking up to the city wall

Hopefully getting there at 9 we'll be able to get a good parking spot - I'll definitely check out where the best parking is. Thanks!
H

I arrived in Gruyeres around early to mid afternoon after doing Broc on my way from Interlaken, I was able to snag a parking spot in the closest lot but had to play the game with a few others trying to park at the same time.