Fancy heading up to the Plateau de Barme, the jewel of the valley? The J’te pouce® hitchhiking benches, set up between Champéry and Barme, invite spontaneous carpooling. Simple, human and sustainable: a different way to get around, built on mutual help and trust.
The J’te pouce® concept
Alongside public transport and taxi services, the hitchhiking bench works as a voluntary stop based on courtesy, mutual help and trust. A comfortable, modern way to hitchhike!
The J’te pouce® concept is open to everyone, at any time. It involves no extra cost and makes the most of motorised trips along a route linking Champéry village centre to the Plateau de Barme.
I’m a hiker — how do I signal for a ride?
- Head to one of the 5 hitchhiking benches along the Champéry – Plateau de Barme route.
- Move the plaque so the STOP sign is visible.
- When a driver stops (voluntarily), explain where you’d like to go; the driver is free to decline if it’s not on their way.
- When you leave the bench, put the plaque back so the STOP sign is hidden.
I’m a driver — how do I pick up a hitchhiker?
- When you pass a hitchhiking bench between Champéry and Barme, keep an eye on the plaque placed on the bench.
- If someone is seated and the plaque shows STOP, it means they’d like a ride.
- If you’re able to, stop (carefully) near the J’te pouce® stop.
- Before committing to take this person, ask where they’re headed; everyone is free to decline a ride.
Bench locations
Five benches have been fitted with a J’te pouce® sign along the route linking Champéry village centre to the Plateau de Barme:
- Cable car bench: opposite the chalet de la Forêt, below the cable car car park (Route de la Fin 52, plot 1382).
- Grand-Paradis bench: along the road, next to the shelter, in the direction of “parcours vita / la Trappe”.
- Pont de la Léchère bench: on the route de Barmaz, next to the fountain, opposite the gravel parking area.
- Col de Barmaz bench: opposite the Austrians’ oratory, on the Champéry side of the road, at the start of the forest nature trail.
- Plateau de Barmaz bench: at the exit of Barmaz, heading towards Champéry — 30 metres past the Barmaz cantine footbridge, towards the gravel square.
Plateau de Barme, an exceptional site
Nestled at the foot of the Dents Blanches, the Plateau de Barme is one of the valley’s most iconic spots — a destination well worth the detour.
- A preserved site: a living alpine pasture where livestock graze freely among white limestone boulders, with no new construction permitted for decades — authenticity in its purest form.
- Two mountain restaurants (cantines): the Cantine de Barmaz and the Cantine des Dents-Blanches (open from May/June to October) offer dining, a children’s play area, and accommodation right in the heart of the mountains.
- Heritage to discover: traditional alpine chalets, an oratory, and a rural trail tracing bygone life on the plateau (see the themed trails).
- The smugglers’ trail: following in the footsteps of “Séraphin le Contrebandier”, complemented by educational trails devoted to geology, wildlife, flora and local history (see the route).
- A major migration hotspot: Barme lies on one of the main bird migration corridors between northern and southern Europe, just a stone’s throw from the Col de Bretolet ornithological station.
- A starting point for hiking: Tour des Dents Blanches, Col de Cou, Arête de Berroi… — Barme is the starting or finishing point for many of the region’s iconic routes.
Useful numbers
Taxi
| Champéry Taxi | +41 79 430 15 15 |
| Closillon Handicap | +41 24 471 20 24 |
| Transport Handicap | +41 27 323 90 00 |
Public transport / Shuttles
| Transports publics du Chablais (TPC) Bus and AOMC line (Aigle–Ollon–Monthey–Champéry) | +41 24 468 03 30 → Timetables and smartphone app |
| Barme shuttle Runs in summer only (late June to late August) | +41 24 479 05 50 → Timetables and fares |
Tourist Office
| Champéry tourist office Tourist information, public transport timetables, hiking maps, fishing permits, ticketing. | +41 24 479 05 50 → Timetable |
Emergency services
| Police | 117 |
| Fire brigade | 118 |
| Medical emergencies | 144 |
| Emergency (CH & UE) | 112 |