Vuippens Castle

In the 13th century, the lordship of Corbières was divided between the two sons of Pierre II. Ulrich II of Corbières thus became the first Lord of Vuippens in 1224 under the name Ulrich I. In 1250, a castle was presumably built on the site of the current castle. At the time, it was a simple square or rectangular and very massive tower.

In 1349, during the "War of Everdes", the village of Vuippens was set on fire and the two castles were destroyed. The Lords' castle was rebuilt on the old ruins. In 1549, part of the lordship was sold to Their Excellencies of Fribourg, who appointed a bailiff to the castle. This situation lasted until 1798, when the times of the bailiffs ended with the arrival of French troops and the founding of the Swiss Republic.

The current castle dates from 1780. It was built by Bailiff Frédéric von Montenach. The State of Fribourg commissioned the architect, Johann Popletter, the master stonemason from Voralberg, who established himself in Fribourg and also participated in the construction of the castles of Surpierre, Cheyres (1773) and Romont and Farvagny (1785). The new Vuippens Castle became the seat of the bailiffs for 18 years, that is, until 1798, when the Swiss Republic was proclaimed.

With the fall of the old regime, the castle had different inhabitants. It was first inhabited by the Chartreux de la Part-Dieu fathers, at the time their burned monastery was being repaired. Later, forced laborers who worked on the construction of the Gérignoz bridge were housed there. In 1830, a project was started to convert the castle into an asylum. But it was abandoned, and the government of Fribourg put the castle up for sale. The Boccard family, owners of the house of Sorens, bought it in 1862 for the price of 5000. -. In 1919, Gustav Schneeli (1872-1944), in turn, bought it. This German-Swiss from Zurich and Glaris had the inner courtyard converted into a geometric garden. He made Vuippens his summer residence. He worked as a delegate of the Red Cross and was also a doctor of law and philosophy. He painted in a studio in Vuippens, which was set up in the old barn.

The castle is now the property of the Aus der Au family.

The current owners Walter and Verena Aus der Au left the external frames of the gardens. Every year, the interior of the frames is modified.