La Berra, on the evening of the eclipse

The route

A concert without tickets

The climb under the gondola at the hottest hour, in thirty-four degrees, the ridge to the Cousimbert, then the view down onto the Lac de la Gruyère. On a clear day you must see all the way to the lakes of Neuchâtel and Murten.

At the top, hundreds of people await the show as if at a concert. A takeaway spritz, glasses lent by friendly neighbours, and a ninety-two percent eclipsed sun setting behind the pylons. Pure magic.