Gourmet Getaway in Villars with the Rando’clette

A Tasty Escape in Villars

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On a day with rather unpredictable weather, we set off to try the Rando’clette experience in Villars. The concept immediately appealed to us: a hike combined with a raclette meal in the heart of nature... the perfect combination for mountain-loving foodies like us. With local products, a ready-to-use kit, and suggested spots to enjoy the raclette, everything is designed for a deliciously good time.

Departure from the Villars Dairy

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Late in the morning, we head to the Villars Dairy to pick up our Rando’clette backpack. We had made a booking a few days earlier for four people. As soon as we arrive, the warm welcome instantly puts us in the friendly spirit of the place. The backpack is perfectly designed for a hassle-free outing: a portable raclette set, raclette cheese, Paillasse bread rolls, gherkins, and Chasselas wine from Ollon.

We added a few extras, like the honey-cured bacon from Erard. Everything is neatly packed into a sturdy backpack, ideal for a short hike.

Choosing the spot and setting off on the hike

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With our backpack in hand, we were also given a leaflet suggesting various picnic spots, both in the village and in the surrounding hills. As we didn’t have time for a long hike, we opted for an easily accessible location: the Cabane du Scex. This peaceful spot with a breathtaking view is about a 40-minute walk from the dairy. Perfect for a change of scenery, ideal for a picnic surrounded by nature.

We headed towards the Col de la Croix road via the Tennis Sports Centre, then followed the forest trail that zigzags up to the Cabane du Scex. The path is easy and well marked, and after a short climb, we reached our picnic table. The spot is perfect for settling down. The panoramic view over Villars, the Rhône Valley, and the surrounding peaks is truly spectacular.

Setting up and enjoying the raclette

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After admiring the view, the first thing to do was unpack everything from the bag: the raclette grill, cutlery, plates, cheese, bread, wine… Everything is neatly packed and designed to be easy to carry. The raclette grill is simple to use and runs on burners (similar to fondue sets). If you're unfamiliar with it, an instruction leaflet is included. Just a few minutes after lighting the burners and placing our cheese in the mini-pan, it began to melt, releasing a mouth-watering aroma that made the whole group hungry. The Hugo Reitzel gherkins paired perfectly with the raclette. We also opened a bottle of Chasselas wine from the Caviste in Ollon – a perfect match for the meal.

The Rando’clette backpack lacked nothing, and we had a lovely time, with everything we needed for a delicious break right in the heart of nature.

Packing up and returning to the Dairy

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After enjoying our meal, it was time to pack everything away. The backpack is cleverly designed to make storing everything simple. We folded everything back up, including the raclette grill, cutlery, and glasses, into the designated bags and containers. A rubbish bag is provided if needed. In our case, we were able to dispose of our waste in a nearby bin. We brought the (empty!) wine bottle back to the Dairy.

The return walk to the Dairy was just as pleasant, all downhill – ideal after a hearty meal.

We returned the backpack to the Dairy and took one last look around the shop to bring home a few extra goodies: some aged cheeses and yoghurts.