The Wallpaper Museum is housed in the Château de Mézières, in the Glâne district near Romont. You can explore twelve restored salons whose walls still bear wallpapers hung between the late 18th and the 20th century.
Themed museums
Main highlights
- Twelve period salons, restored and hung with wallpapers from the late 18th to the 20th century
- A rare ensemble still in place, hung in the late 18th century by the lord of the castle, de Diesbach
- Educational tour covering the history of the castle and three centuries of wallpaper
Overview
Built in the 12th century and remodelled over the ages, the Château de Mézières has been home to the Wallpaper Museum since 2007. This late Baroque building stands in green surroundings in the heart of the Glâne region, just outside Romont.
In the late 18th century, the lord of the castle, Frédéric-François-Victor de Diesbach, an officer in French service, remodelled the château and had fashionable French wallpapers hung. Very few ensembles from this period have survived in their original setting. The collection stands out for its rarity, variety and state of preservation.
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What to see and do
The tour covers the first and second floors. In the first-floor corridor, panels tell the history of the Château de Mézières. You then enter the restored salons, adorned with floral, geometric, landscape and architectural patterns.
On the second floor, three panels devoted to the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries trace the evolution of wallpaper, its manufacturing techniques and its role in decorating middle-class homes. The attic hosts educational workshops, which are usually closed during public visits.
The museum holds temporary exhibitions on both historic wallpapers and contemporary designs, as well as concerts in the salons and creative workshops for adults and children.
Practical information
Getting there : take the train to Romont station, then the bus towards Bulle and get off at Mézières. By car, follow signs from Romont towards Bulle; parking is available in the village.
Visit duration : about one hour.
Ideal for : lovers of decorative arts and the history of interiors. Guided tours available for groups of up to 25 people.
On site : reception on the ground floor.
Visitor tips
The visit is quiet and contemplative. Children may enjoy the visual appeal of the decor, but the tour offers few interactive features for them.
To learn more about the successive owners and the restoration of the wallpapers, book a guided tour. Groups can also request opening outside the usual days.
Nearby attractions
- The Château de Romont has overlooked the town for more than seven centuries, a fine example of Savoyard military architecture.
- The Musée gruérien in Bulle showcases the history and traditions of the region through models and collections.
- The Sherlock Holmes Museum in Lucens displays books, objects and furniture linked to the detective and Conan Doyle.
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