Discover Massongex

Massongex brings together Roman history and routes through the landscape along the Rhône. On a walking tour, you can see a Roman-era mosaic and traces of a bathhouse; various walking and cycling routes offer different points of interest. The Via Francigena also passes through the village.

Roman heritage in the village

At Place de l’Eglise, you can view the Mosaïque aux pugilistes from outside through a pane of glass. It is located there in situ and dates to around 30 AD. The mosaic measures approximately 148 × 147 cm and is considered the only surviving Roman-era mosaic in the Valais town of Vallis Poenina. It depicts two wrestlers apparently facing each other in a ritual combat; between them lies a victory palm made of black tesserae. Check visibility on site.

Also at Place de l’Eglise, reddish-brown paving stones trace the ground plan of the Roman bathhouse. The bath complex of Massongex is considered one of Switzerland’s oldest Roman structures. Here, you can see both an archaeological feature and its visible marking in today’s village setting.

In antiquity, Massongex was the capital of the Nantuates and was called Tarnaiae. During the 1st century AD, the Gallic settlement gradually became Romanised: the Celtic god Taranis became Jupiter, and the Gallic temple was rededicated. After losing its former prominence, Massongex continued to flourish during the Pax Romana. A present-day historical interpretation places the settlement at the centre of the political organisation of Vallis Poenina. The idea that the federal sanctuary was located in Tarnaiae, making Massongex the “ville fédérale” of Vallis Poenina, is currently a hypothesis.

The Via Francigena and walking routes

The Via Francigena passes through Massongex, from the footbridge to the castle of Saint-Maurice. Massongex is the first village in Valais on the route; since 1994, the Via Francigena has been recognised by the Council of Europe as a “Cultural Route of the Council of Europe”. Anyone interested in cultural routes can experience a specific section of this long-distance route in the village. Trail conditions may change, so check them before setting off.

The Sentier des Droits de l’Enfant is a circular route starting in Massongex and takes about 45 minutes. Each panel presents an official article on the rights of the child. An animal symbolises each right; pictures, poems and anecdotes accompany the panels. The route thus combines a short walk with a themed trail. The Chemin pédestre du Tonkin is a short walking path along the railway line towards Monthey. The Tonkin circuit passes through the agricultural plain of Massongex.

For a longer circuit, try the Sentiers des Combes: the route takes about two hours and passes through beech forests. This makes the time required for the Sentier des Droits de l’Enfant and the Sentiers des Combes notably different. The Scex du Mau Comber viewpoint offers a view of Lake Geneva and the Massongex plain.

Nature by the river and on the embankment

The protective hedge at Les Tardys is 1.2 kilometres long. It provides insects, birds, reptiles and mammals with food, habitat and shelter. The Canal des Iles serves as a biological corridor and has been made more natural and attractive for the public. Along the Loënaz, a wooded strip of riverbank provides a pleasant, shaded walking path beside the river. Vegetation and access may change; check locally when planning a visit.

Most of Massongex’s managed biotopes are located within the municipality. They are open to everyone and offer residents and walkers opportunities to enjoy nature. Conditions at individual locations may change here too. One cycling option follows the Rhône embankment; benches are available at particularly scenic spots along the riverbank. The Les Giettes–Wallis Velo Tour runs from the Rhône riverbank, across the Rhône footbridge, through the village centre and on to the railway station.

Plan your journey and dates

Massongex railway station is a regional station between St-Gingolph and Saint-Maurice. If you plan to travel by train, check the timetable before setting out. The patronal feast of Eglise Saint Jean-Baptiste takes place on the Sunday closest to 24 June; plan your dates according to this rule.

Discover more destinations: Finhaut, Vérossaz, Salvan, Mex Vs, Vernayaz, Saint-Maurice Vs, Dorénaz.

See the main travel overview: Saint-Maurice.