Living heritage: patois, carnival and national dress

Living heritage: patois, carnival and national dress – The dialect in the Val d'Hérens is particularly strong. On high days and holidays, people wear traditional costume with bright head-squares and aprons made of velvet and silk. On 6 January, bells ring in the start of Carnival; the "Carnaval d'Hérens" is famous for its "Peluches" (wooden masks) with cat, fox and wolf faces. The people wearing the masks mingle with the spectators and play all kinds of pranks.

Walk to the "Pierres à cupules"

Theme and discovery trails – Stones like these, with round or oval hollows measuring from 1 – 30 cm are not only found in the Alps but also in Australia and South Africa. Were they made by man? For what purpose? The 11 km round trip to the "Pierres à cupules" goes from Evolène via Villa, Mayen de Cotter and Volovron back to Evolène. It takes about five hours. It climbs 800 m and then goes down again.

Schon in der Frühzeit war die Felseninsel zwischen dem Genfersee und den steil aufragenden Bergen bewohnt. Von hier wurde jahrhundertelang der Schiffsverkehr auf dem Genfersee und der bedeutende Landweg zum St.Bernhard-Pass beherrscht. Vom 12. bis ins 16. Jahrhundert gehörte Chillon den Grafen von Savoyen, dann eroberten die Berner die Wasserburg, danach die Waadtländer. Über 300’000 Besucher besichtigen pro Jahr Chillon mit den Wandmalereien aus dem 14. Jahrhundert, den unterirdischen Gewölben, Paradesälen und dem original erhaltenen Schlafzimmer aus der Zeit der Berner Herrschaft. Schon in der Frühzeit war die Felseninsel

Valais rye bread AOC: the real thing

Culinary highlights – Rye bread from Valais is the only bread in Switzerland that can proudly bear the AOC label. This carries an obligation: only rye that has been grown, milled and processed in Valais can by used to make Valais rye bread AOC. The rustic sourdough bread tastes best when it has been kept for two or three days. It can also be made with walnuts or dried fruit.

Rye bread from Valais is the only bread in Switzerland that can proudly bear the AOC label.

Evolène - A sports via ferrata

Via ferrata in Switzerland – The rock wall between Evolène and Vilaz is a challenge. Difficult stretches with some steep overhanging rock and a traverse set up for beginners. Exit points are located between the individual sections. Helmet, safety harness, hip belt and mountain shoes are essential. This equipment may be hired at sports outlets.

A sports via ferrata in the French style, with very steep, compact rock with a few slightly overhanging passages and an airy traverse. Short walk-in (marked); the via ferrata comprises several sections, and there is a possible exit point at the end of each section.