Your stay — Des Prés
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The Property — Des Prés
A straightforward Swiss 3-star in a converted townhouse on the Sarine riverfront, blending unpretentious practicality with a location that puts the medieval lower town at your feet. Rooms are compact but clean, with views over the water or the old rooftops—no frills, but honest value for a short city break. Standing in the lobby you'd note the timbered ceilings and a small breakfast corner that smells of fresh bread and coffee, perfect for the independent traveller who wants base camp rather than a destination.
Chronicles of Fribourg
Fribourg was founded in 1157 by the Dukes of Zähringen as a strategic crossing over the Sarine River, and its medieval core—with over 200 Gothic facades—survives almost intact. The city thrived as a bridge and trade hub between German and French regions, and in the 15th century became a Catholic stronghold that resisted Protestant reform. Its university, established in 1580/1889, gives the old town a lively, polyglot energy, while the bilingual German-French culture makes for an intriguing blend of beer-and-wurst and café-croissant. Today Fribourg is a UNESCO candidate World Heritage site, celebrated for its traditional chasseurs (hunting associations) and the annual Saint-Nicolas festival every December.
Best Time to Visit
Full Fribourg guide →Best months
June to August for reliable warmth and long daylight hours, though August can be busy with European tourists; also September for crisp air and fewer crowds.
Peak / festival surge
July–August is the peak season, driven by summer holidays and warm weather ideal for walking the medieval alleys. Hotel prices can jump 30–50% during this period, and events like the Fribourg International Folklore Festival in mid-July draw additional visitors.
Budget shoulder season
May and September offer the best balance: mild temperatures (14–22°C), lower hotel rates by about 20%, and the city less crowded. October is also good if you don't mind potential rain.
Weather & packing
Fribourg's microclimate along the Sarine valley can create sudden cooling spells even in June, with fog lingering in the lower town. Pack layers: a light waterproof jacket, sturdy walking shoes for cobbles, and a jumper for evening drinks by the river.
Live City Briefing — Fribourg
- The main train station (Gare de Fribourg) is undergoing platform upgrades until late 2026; check for temporary platform closures or detours for regional trains.
- A new pedestrian bridge, the Passerelle du Milieu, opened in late 2025, linking the upper and lower old town more directly near the cathedral.
- Several independent cafés have closed in the Bourg area, but the Saturday market on Place de la Cathédrale still runs strong with local cheeses and cured meats.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jun 2026Before you check in to Des Prés, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on an upper floor facing the courtyard or away from the main road to reduce street noise; these tend to be quieter and more private.
Rooms to avoid
Steer clear of rooms near the lift, stairwell, or ice machine — foot traffic and mechanical sounds carry. Also avoid ground floor rooms with windows onto the street or reception area.
Best views
Ask for a room facing the rear or a side street — often more pleasant than overlooking the main road, even if the view is of rooftops or a garden.
Quietest floors
Higher floors (typically 3rd or above) are generally quieter because street-level noise fades and there’s less foot traffic above you.
🔊 Noise notes
In a 3-star hotel, soundproofing can be basic. Check if the windows double-glaze (common in older Swiss buildings). Earplugs help if you’re a light sleeper.
Insider tips
1. Book directly with the hotel rather than third-party sites — you’ll often get first pick of room type and may score a free upgrade or late checkout. 2. Ask if they have rooms with a ‘quiet guarantee’ or those away from the lift, as front desk staff can assign specific numbers on request.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Des Prés
Free WiFi throughout; symmetrical 50 Mbps; no login, just accept terms on portal
One lift to all 4 floors; no stairs-only sections
Digital PressReader access (50+ Swiss/European papers) via hotel portal; no physical newspapers; building is a converted 19th-century mansion with original timber beams in the lounge
Check-in from 15:00; early bag drop allowed from 12:00; late check-out until 12:30 free, CHF 30 per half-hour after that (subject to availability)
Free storage in locked luggage room (24/7 access via key from reception)
Step-free entrance from street; lift to all rooms; one adapted room on ground floor; narrow doorway to breakfast room (75 cm) – wheelchair users may need assistance
No on-site parking. Public car park 'Pérolles' at Place de la Gare 1, 3-min walk; CHF 18 per 24h (covered, no height limit). No EV charging on property
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: CHF 3.50 per person per night (mandatory, includes local transport card)
Deposit & card hold: Credit card guarantee upon booking; CHF 100 incidental hold on check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: St. Sacrament (230 m · ~3 min walk)
- Church: Mission Catholique Polonaise en Suisse (673 m · ~8 min walk)
- Church: Oratoire de la Sainte Croix (880 m · ~11 min walk)
- Mosque: Association des Musulmans de Fribourg (1.4 km · ~18 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Marché de l'Ancienne papeterie — 987 m · ~12 min walk
Parc Urbain Cormanon — 2.3 km · ~29 min walk
Musée d'histoire naturelle — 1.7 km · ~21 min walk
Théâtre Petit-Marly — 1.4 km · ~18 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 24 m · ~1 min walk
Amavita — 24 m · ~1 min walk
BP Shop — 248 m · ~3 min walk
Fribourg/Freiburg — 2.9 km · ~36 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Swiss Franc, CHF
Use bank ATMs (PostFinance, UBS, Credit Suisse) for the best rates; avoid exchange bureaux at stations or tourist spots – they charge poor rates and fees.
Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in shops, restaurants, and hotels; contactless and mobile pay (Apple Pay, Twint) are common; keep some cash for small local shops and markets.
Tipping is not mandatory – service is included. Round up to the next franc or leave 5-10% for exceptional service in restaurants; taxis drivers don't expect anything; hotel staff get about 2-5 CHF per bag if you wish.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Espresso at a café bar: around 3.50–4.50 CHF
Sandwich or quiche from a bakery or Migros takeaway: about 10–12 CHF
Pizza or pasta at a casual pizzeria: main around 18–25 CHF
The Old Town lane up from the main station has a few student-friendly kebab and sandwich spots; also try the Saturday market at Place du Petit-St-Jean for local cheese and sausage snacks.
Migros and Coop – both have branches in the centre and near the station.
Rue de Lausanne and Rue des Alpes have high-street chains like H&M, Zara, and C&A; second-hand shops (e.g., Brocki) near the university offer good bargains.
Day pass for Fribourg city buses: 7.50 CHF (bought at the station or via app). From the airport: cheapest is train from Geneva to Fribourg (direct, about 1h40) costing around 40–50 CHF with advance booking or a half-fare card.
Buy a half-fare travelcard (120 CHF half-yearly) if you'll take more than two long-distance trains; picnic with supplies from Migros/Coop instead of eating out; use the Fribourg Tourism card for free public transport in the city.
Good to know — Fribourg
Type C/J · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ CHF0.81 · CHF
Emergency Contacts
Fribourg112 (general emergencies, also works for police/fire/ambulance from mobiles); 1414 (REGA helicopter rescue); 0800 141 414 (poisoning help). For non-urgent medical help, call 0848 133 133.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Fribourg, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Des Prés
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 24 m · ~1 min walk — pharmacy · Amavita — 24 m · ~1 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Find train tickets →Fribourg Station → Hotel Le Vieux Manoir
💡 Alight at 'Bourg' stop—it’s 50m from the hotel entrance. Validate your ticket on the platform, or buy via the SBB mobile app for instant use. It’s the only bus that goes up the steep hill.
Zurich Airport (ZRH) → Hotel Le Vieux Manoir, Fribourg
💡 Book in advance via Fribourg Taxi (026 466 66 66) for a fixed 300 CHF rate. Tip: request a driver who knows the old town's narrow streets—saves 10 mins.
Zurich Airport (ZRH) → Fribourg Station
💡 Buy a Supersaver ticket at sbb.ch for 34 CHF if you book 2 days ahead. Get off at Fribourg Station, not the bus station—it’s a 10-min walk to the hotel uphill.
Bern Main Station → Fribourg Station
💡 Take the S1 line—it’s cheaper than the IC1 and runs right through the countryside. Sit on the left side for views of the Sarine River gorge approaching Fribourg.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Des Prés?
Request a room on an upper floor facing the courtyard or away from the main road to reduce street noise; these tend to be quieter and more private.
Which rooms should I avoid at Des Prés?
Steer clear of rooms near the lift, stairwell, or ice machine — foot traffic and mechanical sounds carry. Also avoid ground floor rooms with windows onto the street or reception area.
Is Des Prés noisy?
In a 3-star hotel, soundproofing can be basic. Check if the windows double-glaze (common in older Swiss buildings). Earplugs help if you’re a light sleeper.
Which rooms have the best views at Des Prés?
Ask for a room facing the rear or a side street — often more pleasant than overlooking the main road, even if the view is of rooftops or a garden.
What are insider tips for staying at Des Prés?
1. Book directly with the hotel rather than third-party sites — you’ll often get first pick of room type and may score a free upgrade or late checkout. 2. Ask if they have rooms with a ‘quiet guarantee’ or those away from the lift, as front desk staff can assign specific numbers on request.
What time is check-in at Des Prés?
Check-in at Des Prés is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Des Prés have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi throughout; symmetrical 50 Mbps; no login, just accept terms on portal
Is there a city or tourist tax at Des Prés?
CHF 3.50 per person per night (mandatory, includes local transport card)
Where can I eat cheaply near Des Prés?
Sandwich or quiche from a bakery or Migros takeaway: about 10–12 CHF
What is the cheapest way to get around from Des Prés?
Day pass for Fribourg city buses: 7.50 CHF (bought at the station or via app). From the airport: cheapest is train from Geneva to Fribourg (direct, about 1h40) costing around 40–50 CHF with advance booking or a half-fare card.
When is the best time to visit Fribourg?
June to August for reliable warmth and long daylight hours, though August can be busy with European tourists; also September for crisp air and fewer crowds.
Top Attractions in Fribourg
💡 Come at golden hour (just before sunset) when the sandstone glows. The bridge is also a good spot for photos without the tourist crowds.
💡 Check the temporary exhibitions—they often charge a small fee but are worth it. The garden behind the museum is a quiet spot for a picnic.
💡 Visit in spring for cherry blossoms or autumn for maple leaf colours. The garden gets busy at midday—early morning or late afternoon is quieter.
💡 Start at Place de l’Hôtel de Ville, then follow Rue de la Lorette along the wall. Look for the murals above the doorways—they tell stories of medieval guilds.
💡 Go on a clear weekday morning for the best light through the stained glass. The tower gives a 360-degree view over the old town and the Sarine river valley.