Terms and conditions

They reflect our commitment to maintaining a transparent and balanced relationship with our visitors and partners while preserving the integrity of our heritage and the quality of the experience we offer.

These General Terms and Conditions apply to all services offered by the Fondation du Château de Grandson, whether on site, online via www.chateau-grandson.ch, or through any other means of communication made available to the public.

In particular, they cover:

• Ticket sales and visits to the castle
• Events and activities organised by Grandson Castle
• Venue hire
• Purchases from our shop
• Use of our website

Prices

Current prices are displayed at the entrance to the castle and on our website. The Fondation du Château de Grandson reserves the right to change its prices at any time. The applicable prices are those in effect on the date of the visit or ticket purchase.

Opening Hours and Access

Opening hours are displayed at the entrance to the castle and on our website. They may be changed without prior notice, particularly due to restoration work continuing until 2026. We recommend checking our website before your visit. Access to certain parts of the castle may be restricted or unavailable due to restoration work. These restrictions are indicated at the entrance to the castle and on our website.

Conduct on Castle Premises

Visitors must comply with the safety instructions displayed on the castle premises and those given by staff. Inappropriate or dangerous behaviour may result in visitors being asked to leave without a refund.

It is strictly prohibited to bring into areas open to the public any objects which, by their nature or intended use, pose a risk to the safety of people, property, works of art and/or buildings, including:

• Weapons and ammunition
• Tools (utility knives, screwdrivers, wrenches, hammers, pliers, pruning shears, etc.)
• Bladed weapons and razors
• Blunt objects (baseball bats, etc.)
• Excessively heavy, bulky or foul-smelling objects
• Explosive, flammable or volatile substances

To help preserve our heritage and ensure a high-quality experience for all visitors:

• Only official Grandson Castle guides are authorised to conduct guided tours within the monument
• Pushchairs and prams are not permitted along the visitor route (a designated storage area is available)
• Bicycles, scooters, skateboards, inline skates and other roller skates are not permitted on the castle premises
• Animals, even on a lead, are not permitted on the castle premises or in the castle parks, with the exception of assistance dogs.

Use of Visitors’ Images

In accordance with Swiss legislation on data protection and image rights, Grandson Castle may take photographs or make video recordings during visits or events. These images, in which visitors may appear, may be used in our communications (website, social media, brochures, etc.).

Visitors will be informed when an official photographer is present at public events.

In addition, please note that:

• Anyone who can be identified in an image has rights over their own likeness
• Visitors may object to the taking or use of their image at any time
• If a person is the main subject of a photograph, their explicit consent will be requested before publication
• For group photographs in which no individual stands out in particular, a general notice will be considered sufficient
• For images featuring minors, the consent of those holding parental authority may be requested

To request the removal of an image that has already been published, visitors may contact the Communications Department at communication@chateau-grandson.ch. The image will be removed as soon as possible.

Attending a public event at Grandson Castle does not automatically imply consent to the publication of one’s image. We undertake to respect our visitors’ personality rights and to remove any image upon request.

Photography by Visitors

Private use: Photography for private purposes is permitted within the castle, subject to the following conditions:

• No flash photography
• No tripods
• No drones
• No selfie sticks
• Respect for other visitors and the premises

Professional use: Professional photography, filming (including by drone), and radio and television recordings are subject to specific regulations and require prior authorisation from the Castle Management.

• A written request must be sent to communication@chateau-grandson.ch
• Requests must be submitted at least one month before the proposed date
• Authorisation is subject to specific conditions, which will be set out in the response

Individual Bookings

Tickets purchased online are valid for the date and time indicated. No refunds will be issued in the event of a no-show.

Group and School Bookings

We recommend booking for groups and schools at least 10 days in advance. Grandson Castle will send written confirmation.

If a group cancels:

• More than 48 hours before the visit: full refund
• Less than 48 hours before the visit: 50% of the total amount will be charged
• No-show: 100% of the total amount will be charged

Events and Special Activities

Specific cancellation and refund conditions for events and special activities are provided at the time of booking.

Venue Hire

Venue hire is subject to a separate contract setting out the cancellation and refund conditions.

All elements constituting the castle, its collections and its website are protected by intellectual property rights. Any reproduction, representation or distribution, in whole or in part, is prohibited without the prior written authorisation of the Fondation du Château de Grandson.

Information collected when booking or purchasing tickets is processed electronically for customer relationship management purposes. In accordance with applicable legislation, you have the right to access, rectify and delete your personal data. For more information, please refer to our legal notice.

Visitors’ Liability

Visitors are responsible for any direct or indirect damage they may cause on the castle premises or in connection with services provided by Grandson Castle.

Parents or accompanying adults are solely responsible for the minors accompanying them.

Grandson Castle’s Liability

The Fondation du Château de Grandson accepts no liability for the theft, loss or damage of visitors’ personal belongings on the castle premises.

It shall not be held liable for any damage resulting from failure to provide services or from improper performance of services where this is attributable to the visitor, an unforeseeable and unavoidable act of a third party, or an event of force majeure.

The Fondation du Château de Grandson reserves the right to amend these General Terms and Conditions at any time. The terms applicable are those in force on the date of booking or purchase.

These legal notices are governed by Swiss law. In the event of a dispute, the place of jurisdiction is Grandson, Canton of Vaud, Switzerland.