- French
Barme is one of the most beautiful sites near Champéry, a bucolic alpine valley where tranquil herds of livestock graze in flowering meadows strewn with impressive blocks of white limestone. Countless alpine creatures make their homes in the protective shade of the forests that cover steep hillsides.
Visitor NotificationFrom approximately August 31 to November 20, 2026, the access road to Grand-Paradis will be closed to all traffic due to turbine installation work.
Vehicle Access to the Barme Plateau
· From Champéry: via the Planachaux Road, then via the Bretelle des Creuses
· From Monthey/Choëx, Troistorrents, or Val-d’Illiez: via the Route des Rives
Vehicles weighing more than 18 metric tons must take the Route des Rives from Monthey/Choëx.
Hikers heading to Barme
Two parking options:
· Champéry cable car parking lot, then walk to the Grand-Paradis area via the Chemin des Poussettes
· Grand-Paradis chairlift parking lot, accessible via Route des Rives from Monthey/Choëx, Troistorrents, or Val-d’Illiez
Nestled at the foot of the Dents Blanches mountains on the border with France, this idyllic alpine valley is the starting point for countless hiking and walking trails. It is also the most important North-South flight path over the Alps for migratory birds.
Not surprisingly, given this strategic location and geography, Barme was also a major thoroughfare for contraband in its not-so-distant past. Today, a themed hiking trail takes visitors back to the olden days when the ‘Contrabandiers’ smuggled goods, animals and sometimes even people along the narrow alpine paths and over the Col de Cou Pass.
Adjacent to the Col de Cou is the Col de Bretolet, home to one of the most important ornithological stations in Europe. From August to October, bird-lovers from all over the world literally flock to visit this unique spot.
No matter what the season, Barme is a true natural wonder, with unspoiled landscapes and a rich and diverse flora and fauna.
A variety of different trails dedicated to the themes of geology, fauna, flora and local history provide a wealth of additional information and interesting anecdotes, making a visit to Barme a memorable and enriching experience.
Opening hours
Accessibility
Prestations
- Parking nearby
- Bar
- Sustainable development
- Waste management
- Picnic area
- Play area
- Themed path
- Orientation board
- Pets welcome
- Coach access
- Restaurant
- Fast food