Culture
While traditions and folklore are carefully guarded, our love of culture means we are also innovators, looking ever
forward to a future filled with multicultural exchange, events, exhibits, art, literature, music and shows.
History & Traditions
From tall tales to unbelievable-but-true local legends, the Val d’Illiez is a history buff’s dream! Our past is ever-present, thanks to various heritage associations who work tirelessly to preserve the architectural, geographic and cultural heritage left by our ancestors. Take a lesson in patois, our ancient local dialect, find out about the larger-than-life ‘Gros Bellet’ who inspired a revolution in 1790 or follow in the footsteps of the daring smugglers who criss-crossed our alpine valleys in the dead of night…
Know-how
The Val d’Illiez has a long history of alpine craftsmanship and these ancestral techniques have been carefully preserved and transmitted from generation to generation. Despite the inroads of tourism, local artisans, shops and restaurants still welcome visitors to the region with the same hearty simplicity as in days gone by. Revisit the past at an old grain mill, a communal bread oven, a traditional bell foundry…
Alpine Pastures
These uncultivated, high-altitude grasslands were hard-won from the thick forests which covered the untainsides hundreds of years ago. Generations of farming families ave brought their herds of hardy sheep, goats, and cattle to spend the summer grazing in the sunshine, helping to keep the forests at bay and, in the process, creating unique ecosystems of plants, wild animals and traditions which vary from one hillside to another.
Agenda
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Brisolée Day
Chestnuts for all at the entrance to the valley! -
Bring your pumpkin !
Trick or treat? Halloween is back with a lot of activities to experience in a spooky good mood! -
Top event
Champéry Film Festival
Two days of films will take you on a magnificent adventure from the heart of our mountains to the Antarctic by sportsmen and women who are not afraid of the cold! Other cinematic surprises are to be discovered in the programme! -
Echo de la Montagne Brass-band Christmas Concert with the Champéry School Choir
The Echo de la Montagne delivers the magic of Christmas through traditional pieces that plunge you into celebration. -
Annual brass band concert with Echo de la Montagne
The annual brass band concert is one of the most popular evenings of the year! Music lovers of all ages gather for a concert, raffle, dinner and dancing.