Valley of Trient Regional Nature Park (candidate)
Intro
Situated in the French-speaking part of Valais, the Valley of Trient Regional Nature Park covers an area of natural beauty that stretches from the Arpille to the Cime de l’Est. Its wild, unspoiled nature offers magnificent landscapes and plenty of opportunities to sample delicious products of the terroir with an authentic heritage. A candidate for the label, the park has entered into its creation phase, which will run until 2024.
The ancestral jewel of the region’s summits, the Trient Glacier invariably inspires wonder, which is heightened further by the emerald green of the mountain lakes; Lake Salanfe, nestled in the glacial cirque at the foot of the Dents du Midi, and the Emosson lakes with their dam, which bore witness to the hydraulic chapter of the valley’s history, attract many visitors who are captivated by their beauty.
A symbol of the union between water and stone, numerous gorges intrigue ramblers with their raw, powerful presence, with one of these more than 100 metres high and home to the two highest bridges in Europe. A strange, marvellous energy emanates from these ancient incisions that were carved by glacial erosion.
On the plain, the Martigny-Combe vineyard is home to a magnificent colourful mosaic – stretching out over 900,000 square metres – of vine stocks, huts and dry stone walls on sunny slopes. The tradition of winegrowing is echoed in the delicious products of the terroir, as well as the rich living heritage such as traditional harvesting, music and folk dancing, or even the local dialect that lives on thanks to committed organisations.
Having enjoyed an international reputation that no natural or political event has managed to threaten since its founding in 515 AD, the Abbey of Saint Maurice has stood the test of time with its fabulous bell tower, its carillon, its basilica and its exceptional archaeological site. On their way to Rome, pilgrims built a priceless treasure accessible to visitors, contributing to its rich history and heritage.
