Orsières – Alpine Valleys, Culture and Cheese-Making Tradition

Orsières between two Alpine valleys

Orsières is in the French-speaking part of the Swiss canton of Valais, in the Entremont district. Two Alpine valleys branch out within the municipality: Val d’Entremont and Val Ferret. Val Ferret stretches to the foothills of the Mont Blanc massif. Forests, alpine pastures and mountain streams run through alpine valleys and slopes; traditional Valais houses stand alongside modern chalets and newer buildings in the village. The alpine climate is characterised by snowy winters and pleasant summers. These features help you understand Orsières as a destination with valley and mountain scenery, a village character and pronounced seasonal changes.

Orsières is a place to stay at the crossroads of the Via Francigena and the Tour du Mont-Blanc. The first documented mentions of the village date back to the 12th century. Its development was strongly shaped by alpine livestock farming and agriculture, as well as historic trade routes over the Great St Bernard Pass. Landscape and history are closely linked here: the valleys provide the setting, while agriculture and trade routes are important parts of the village’s history.

Church and local history

The church of Orsières stands in the centre of the municipality, on a site where a fortified village probably stood in the Middle Ages. The building is late Gothic, has three naves and is built on granite foundations. The Romanesque bell tower was probably raised in the 14th century; it houses six bells on three levels. In an exterior niche of the church is the fresco «La messe de Saint Grégoire», created around the 15th century. As of 1 January 2024, an archaeological site dating from Roman times to the Early Middle Ages is also listed as a Category B cultural property in the Valais inventory of cultural property.

Routes from Orsières

The cycling route through Val Ferret starts at Orsières railway station. It follows Route de Ferret through the valley towards Somlaproz. The «Les villages» circular route offers a different perspective: it also starts in Orsières and leads to the traditional communal ovens in the villages of Reppaz, La Rosière and Chamoille. One route therefore heads towards Somlaproz, while the circular route focuses on the communal ovens in the three villages named above.

Public transport is provided for travelling to «Les villages»; take the train to Orsières. Check the timetable before travelling. This lets you combine your journey with your choice of circular route without relying on fixed departure times.

Cheese culture and a treasure hunt

The Laiterie d’Orsières offers tours explaining how cheese is made and the history of the surrounding regions. At the wine bar, you can sample raclette and buy regional products from the local terroir. A visit therefore focuses both on learning about cheese-making and on tasting and buying regional products.

A treasure hunt in Orsières uses a map with ten questions to lead to a final code that opens a treasure chest. It adds an activity with clear puzzle-solving steps to the historical and culinary attractions: the map, questions, code and chest set out how it works.

Discover more destinations: Champex, Fionnay, Le Châble, Vollèges, Verbier, La Fouly, Sarreyer, Liddes

Back to the overview of the region: Entremont.