Luxury, excellence, and prestige take center stage in the 2025 edition of fribourg.swiss, the official magazine of the Fribourg Development Agency (FDA). Covering fine watchmaking, cellular cosmetics, design, and gastronomy, this issue highlights the wide range of exceptional expertise that shapes the identity and international appeal of the canton. The launch took place at the Richemont Campus in Villars-sur-Glâne, a particularly emblematic site historically linked to this theme. Read article

Mikèle Landry brings academic rigor and practical experience to her role as Head of Luxury Brand Strategy Specialization, which is part of the Bachelor's program in International Hospitality Business at the Glion Institute of Higher Education (GIHE). The former hospitality professional and marketing doctoral student had previously taught at the University of Fribourg and the EHL Hospitality Business School in Lausanne before taking up her current post in 2025. Her approach to luxury is grounded, analytical, and open-minded. In this interview, she shares her thoughts on the codes of luxury, storytelling, brand responsibility, and the lessons that SMEs can learn from the luxury industry. Read article

Fribourg is a major league player when it comes to chocolate. Cailler, in Broc, and Villars, in the cantonal capital, embody Switzerland’s world-renowned chocolate-making heritage. True pioneers, they have left their mark on the history of Swiss chocolate. Read article

"At Revario, high-end translates as the wow effect on our customers when they realize, from the first try-on, that our fabrics are nothing like what they're used to," explains Michael Ingram, the founder of the Fribourg-based technical mountain and trail clothing brand. "Once you've experienced quality like this, it's hard to settle for less!" Read article

When it comes to culinary expertise, the canton of Fribourg is right up there with the best. It boasts 25 Gault&Millau-rated restaurants, five of which also have a Michelin star. Moreover, Fribourg holds the Swiss AOP (Protected Designation of Origin) record: as many as six regional products have been granted the prestigious label. It is therefore no coincidence that the cantonal capital was recently added to UNESCO's Creative Cities Network (for gastronomy). Read article

"The packaging is the first thing a person touches when they receive a watch, a piece of jewelry or perfume. Not only is the packaging integral to the prestige of the object, it also elicits a sense of anticipation and excitement," Dominique Mainier explains. According to the managing director of Gainerie Moderne, "Packaging has to play its brand ambassador role to perfection." Read article

Thanks to Swiss scientific expertise, cellular cosmetics have been brightening even the dullest skin for more than 50 years. Read article

In a world that is rediscovering the value of durability, wood does not simply outlive trends; it transcends them. In the canton of Fribourg, this ancient material brings exclusive design ideas to life thanks to a combination of craftsmanship, cutting-edge technology and creativity. Although the sector is relatively niche, its reputation extends far and wide. Read article

Fribourg is not the first place that springs to mind when one thinks of luxury, prestige and exclusivity. But appearances can be deceptive. The canton is, in fact, home to a fascinating range of companies and institutions that unostentatiously pride themselves on their attention to detail, mastery of age-old techniques, and commitment to quality. In the following interview, Jerry Krattiger, Managing Director of the Fribourg Development Agency, highlights a different side to the region that has always valued excellence and discretion. Read article

Four names, four different visions of watchmaking excellence, one thing in common: the canton of Fribourg. Cartier/Richemont has recently built a strategic hub of expertise on the site it has occupied in Villars-sur-Glâne for more than half a century. The iconic Swiss brand Rolex is investing over a billion Swiss francs in a new manufacturing facility in Bulle. Mauron Musy embodies creative independence and mechanical innovation, while Mestel designs high-end watch straps for the industry's biggest names. Thanks to these diverse yet complementary operators, the canton is emerging as a top business location for Swiss luxury watchmaking. Read article