Nendaz: Basse-Nendaz and its village history
Accommodation in Nendaz
For a glimpse into the history and notable places of Nendaz, take a closer look at Basse-Nendaz. The village lies on the left bank of the Printse at an altitude of 992 metres. As a school, administrative and parish centre, it plays a central role within the municipality.
The Majorie and village history
The Majorie, also known as the Grande Maison, is a striking old building in the centre of Basse-Nendaz. Its distinctive notched roof makes it easy to recognise. Its history dates back to an earlier tower complex belonging to the local estate: this was destroyed in 1475 during the campaign against Savoy and rebuilt in 1505. It was then converted into a fortified house for the major at the time. It included a courtroom and a prison, and the building came to be known as the Majorie.
The Eglise de Basse-Nendaz also tells the story of the village’s development. Until around the middle of the 20th century, it was the only church in the Nendaz parish and served as a gathering place for residents of all the villages. The major renovations took place between 1882 and 1885, giving the church its present form. The bell tower was rebuilt and raised in 1913.
Inside the large white church is an original chapel, now used as a crypt. It dates back to the late 9th or early 10th century. The structural remains were rediscovered during restoration work from 1964 to 1967. At the foot of the church tower is the grave of Charles-Frédéric Brun, known in the region as “the Deserter”. His exact identity remains unresolved to this day.
Frescoes and chapels
Four monumental frescoes adorn barn façades in Basse-Nendaz (Borné Chë) and Haute-Nendaz (Chemin des Bornes). Two of the frescoes are on a barn in the village of Basse-Nendaz; they are part of the “Fresques sur les granges” project. The works are by Swiss artist Antoine Guignard, also known as LPVDA. Their locations connect the artworks with the different place names used for the two villages.
At the exit from Basse-Nendaz towards Fey, the Chapelle St-SĂ©bastien stands on a rocky outcrop above the RhĂ´ne Valley. A document from March 1555 mentions a donation of three gulden and two altar cloths for the restoration of certain religious buildings in the region, including the chapel. Since the 1970s, hunting groups from Nendaz, Veysonnaz and Salins have held the Mass for the Feast of Saint Sebastian every year on 20 January. The saint is considered the patron saint of archers. If you are planning to attend, check the latest programme before your trip.
Irrigation channels and hiking routes
The Bisse du Milieu is a five-kilometre-long irrigation channel dating from 1700. It is still in use, irrigating raspberry fields and other crops in the Haute-Nendaz and Basse-Nendaz area. The water intake is at an altitude of 1,460 metres. The bisse can be reached directly from the centre of the resort and is accessible in both summer and winter. This waterway highlights both its agricultural function and its year-round accessibility.
The “Les Villages” route, associated with Basse-Nendaz, offers another practical point of reference for hikes. It is seven kilometres long, takes about 2 hours and 10 minutes, and has an elevation gain of 378 metres; its difficulty is rated 3 out of 5. The two routes have different highlights: the Bisse du Milieu focuses on irrigation and accessibility in summer and winter, while “Les Villages” is characterised by its length, elevation gain and approximate duration. Check the latest information on the official route page before setting off.
The wider municipality of Nendaz also offers a point of reference for hiking enthusiasts: it has eight historic Valais bisses, or irrigation channels, each accompanied by a hiking trail. This regional perspective complements the village history of Basse-Nendaz without limiting the waterways to a single part of the village.
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