Lens: Art, Village History and Hiking Trails

Lens lies at an altitude of 1,100 metres in a hollow on Châtelard Hill. Above the village, the monumental Christ-Roi statue towers over the area. This gives you several different ways to plan your trip: village history and art, hiking trails through rocky and steppe landscapes, or the history of Cornalin in Vaas.

Village History at the Musée Le Grand Lens

The Musée Le Grand Lens is housed in a residence dating from 1889. It contains objects from two former shoemaker’s workshops and a saddlery in the village. There are also annals of village history, the oldest records of which date back to the 1st millennium BC, as well as portraits of the ancestors of a noble family. A dedicated section focuses on Charles-Ferdinand Ramuz and Albert Muret, who were inspired by the village of Lens. Ramuz wrote several novels in Lens, including “La Séparation des Races”. Craftsmanship, local history and literature offer distinct ways to explore the village’s history.

Contemporary Art at the Fondation Opale

The Fondation Opale is a contemporary art centre dedicated to promoting Indigenous Australian art in Europe. Its exhibitions are based mainly on the Collection Bérengère Primat. An institutional press release from 2026 puts the collection at more than 1,900 works by over 440 artists. This provides a different focus from the village museum: here, contemporary art and the named collection take centre stage. The Parking du Louché is opposite the Fondation Opale, a three-minute walk away.

Church and Christ-Roi

The Église Saint-Pierre and its bell tower, as well as the monumental Christ-Roi statue, are listed as Category B cultural assets in the 2024 cantonal inventory. The statue was erected in 1935 by Canon Pierre Gard. This landmark therefore brings together two specific aspects: its classification as a cultural asset and its history. Lens offers several distinct themes to choose from, including village history, architecture and literature, without reducing them to the same experience.

Hiking Trails and Landscape

The Grand Bisse is an 8.6-kilometre trail from Icogne to Chermignon-d’en-Bas. It skirts Châtelard Hill and runs through rocky and steppe landscapes. Along the way, visitors may be lucky enough to spot green lizards and colourful butterflies. The length and endpoints provide a practical guide for planning; wildlife sightings are explicitly a possibility, not a guarantee.

The Trail de Lens is classified as a route of moderate difficulty. The “Lens – Statue du Christ-Roi” is also named as a hiking route in the Lens area; another route is called “Ascension du Christ-Roi”. The descriptions therefore highlight different details: the Grand Bisse has a stated distance and endpoints, the trail has a stated difficulty, and the Christ-Roi features in the names of the other two routes. These differences help distinguish the information about the trails.

Lac du Louché

Pedal boats are available on Lac du Louché; seasonal operations may vary. Check current availability before your visit. This activity is a separate option alongside the trails and cultural attractions, each of which requires different information for practical planning.

Château de Vaas and Cornalin

In Vaas, the Château de Vaas is listed in the cantonal register of protected monuments. The entry gives 14 June 1972 as the date it was protected. The Château de Vaas – Maison des Cornalins has a permanent, free exhibition on the history and cultivation of the Cornalin grape. Check current access arrangements before your visit.

The Château de Vaas wine library offers wine presentations and tastings featuring selected wines from regional producers throughout the year. Here, too, it is advisable to check current availability in advance. The exhibition and wine library have different focuses: one explores the history and cultivation of Cornalin, while the other features selected wines from regional producers.

Discover more destinations: Flanthey, Chippis, Sierre, Saint-Jean Vs, Chandolin, Crans-Montana, Ayer, Crans-Sur-Sierre.

For the broader travel overview: Siders.