Vionnaz
Hint
Intro
This town counts some 2'700 inhabitants and is spread over 2'099 hectares. It is built on the alluvial cone of the Greffaz River, but also climbs into the surrounding mountains.
Description
Set in the lower part of the valley, it is part of the Chablais and rubs shoulders with the towns of Collombey-Muraz and Vouvry and even overflows 5 km over the border into France. The town's highest point is the Tour de Don, at an altitude of 1'998 m.
In Vionnaz, visitors can visit the parish church, the old bell tower, the private Vionnaz castle, the great wall built to protect the town from flooding and the educational trail wending through the peat bogs, also called the 'Rigoles de Vionnaz'. The surrounding hillsides are dotted with villages sporting surprising names like, Beffeux, Bonne Année (Good Year), Le Chêne or Les Crosats.
The villages of Mayen, Revereulaz and Torgon are surrounded by old chalets whose names evoke local traditions: the Planchamp, Les Nez (the noses), la Cheurgne, Plan-la-Djeu etc. As for the residential area called la Jorette, it is situated at the very foot of the ski slopes. Surrounded by alpine forests, which provide a refreshing and peaceful setting, this is the first doorway to the world-renowned Portes du Soleil ski area.