Flanthey: Wine, Bisses and Village History

Flanthey is a widely dispersed wine-growing village laid out in terraces above the Rhône Valley. Flanthey includes Chelin as well as the hamlets of St-Clément, Condémines, Vaas and Valençon. Winegrowing, the settlement pattern and the individual hamlets offer various starting points for planning your trip. Paths along the bisses, buildings and the history of the hamlets also shape the area.

Wine and tastings

Flanthey has 12 wine cellars. If you would like to include a tasting in your plans, check the cellars’ availability before your trip. At the museum in Château de Vaas, you can taste Cornalin and wines from local producers. A permanent exhibition there is also dedicated to the Cornalin grape variety, one of the oldest grape varieties in the canton of Valais. The exhibition and tasting offer two different ways to explore the subject of wine. The museum is located at Chemin du Tsaretton 46, 3978 Flanthey. Check the exhibition details and tasting arrangements before your visit.

Another option is the “Walk along a Bisse & Wine Tasting” tour. It starts in Flanthey and passes through the vineyards along the Bisse du Sillonin. An optional visit to a wine cellar includes a tasting of three white wines and three red wines, with the winemaker explaining the wines. Unlike the tasting at the museum, this cellar visit is part of a tour offering and is optional. Clarify the booking and tour details in advance.

Château de Vaas and the hamlets

Château de Vaas in Flanthey is a 16th-century building. Its wall paintings are protected as historic monuments. At the museum, the exhibition about Cornalin adds a subject from Valais winegrowing to the story of the building. Here, architectural history and grape-variety knowledge come together, while each tells a different story.

The cultural heritage trail through the hamlets also draws attention to several aspects of Flanthey: it highlights the natural surroundings and the history of the hamlets, and combines exploring buildings with taking in the region’s picturesque landscapes. If you are interested in built heritage, the focus is not on a single building alone; the trail places it in relation to the landscape and the history of the hamlets.

Bisse paths and activities

The Bisse de Sillonin was built in the 1450s. The hike along the Bisse de Sillonin starts in Chelin, a hamlet of Flanthey. Part of the route is very exposed and is not recommended for people who are afraid of heights. Take this specific warning into account when choosing a route, and check conditions before setting out.

Another described hike, “The Four Bisses of the Sun,” follows the Bisse du Sillonin to Flanthey. The interactive treasure hunt also runs along the Bisse du Sillonin in Flanthey. It explores water, bisses, vines and wine, and also includes some short logic puzzles. The exposed section is an important planning consideration for the hike, while the treasure hunt focuses on questions and riddles. Check the latest booking details for the treasure hunt in advance.

For the broader travel overview: Lens.