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by Real Traveler Anna D
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HR Giger Museum

From Switzerland in Gruyeres, Switzerland on May 13 '07

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art & museum

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Me at the entrance to the HR Giger Museum, Gruyeres, 2007
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I have been waiting my whole life to see the HR Giger Museum in real life.

It did not disappoint.

A genius' work, hidden inside a walled city

HR Giger, best known for designing the Alien in the film of the same name, purchased a castle in Gruyeres a few years back, and it now houses a permanent collection of many of his most famous works.

Josh in the HR Giger Bar on one of THOSE chairs!
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The museum is AMAZING...from the exterior (see photos), to the many amazing things you find inside.

This includes a small section dedicated to the proud owners of biomechanical Giger tatoos, Giger sheet shets, furniture and so forth.

Of course, the original Alien sculpture is inside, as well as the Oscar statuette Giger won for his work on the film.

There is also a 'sealed section', containing Giger's erotic, and more explicit works.

Alien, HR Giger Museum, Gruyeres, 2007
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The top floor houses Giger's private collection, some of which has to seen to be believed.

There is also a HR Giger Bar across the road, which is furnished with the most unbelievable stuff I have seen in my life!

I wanted one of the chairs as soon as I saw it, but the cool waitress informed Josh and I that they will set you back about ten thousand US dollars. Oh!

The interior reflects the nightmarish quality of Gigers works, but is a true feast for the senses.

HR Giger Bar
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Un-frickin-believable.

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KayF on Jul. 3, 2007 @ 07:56AM said

Thanks for all the advice. I would be flying from Birmingham, England - if possible. Do they speak english in the train stations? and surrounding areas? How long did you go for, we are just thining of going for a longish weekend, did you do much else while you were there? thanks again. Kay

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Anna D on Jul. 3, 2007 @ 07:56AM said

Hi Kay, The easiest way to get to Gruyeres is to get a flight to Zurich or even better, Bern, and take the train to Gruyeres. I based myself in Interlaken, its very cheap to get accommodation there, and you can take the train to Gruyeres in a little over 2 hours. You have to change once but it is an easy trip, and the staff at the train stations will help you with directions. Get a swiss rail pass for 4 days, its cheaper than buying tickets individually. go to www.railplus.com ...its a pretty cheap site. By the way, where are you flying from? I arranged it all myself, and found this was the cheapest way to do it. Gruyeres hotels are VERY expensive...as are Montreaux ones, which is also near by. Its up to you where you stay, but aside from the museum there isnt that much to do in Gruyeres... I hope this helps. Let me know if I can do anything else to help! Anna :)

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KayF on Jul. 3, 2007 @ 07:56AM said

Anna Hoping you can help. Im looking to take my boyfriend to the Giger museum in December, but really struggling with the travel arrangements. I can get as far as the flight to Geneva, but from there to Gruyères is proving a bit complicated for me, also finding somewhere to stay that will be quite local to the museum. We are not really bit travellers so this is all new to us, can you let me know how you arranged your trip? Did you go through a travel agency or did you do it all individually. Hope you dont mind a total stranger asking you this but would appreciate any help you can give. Many thanks Kay

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