Culture  /  Val de Bagnes Heritage

The mediaeval castle overlooking Val de Bagnes was probably built between the 12th and 13th century by the Count of Savoy. It was destroyed by people from Upper Valais after the battle of La Planta in 1475. The ruins of this edifice have been uncovered and are now visible. In the walls can be seen stones laid at an angle, which is a characteristic of Roman structures.
The original chapel was built in the village of Verbier in 1686. It was too small, and in 1866 it was replaced with the current stone structure. Many interior elements dating from the 17th century have been preserved, such as the crucifix and the painting representing St Francis and Mary Magdalene surrounding St. Bartholomew. Two wooden statues at the sides of the alter represent St Bartholomew and St. Peter.
The parish church in Le Châble has been designated a national monument. Substantial restoration work completed in 1981 has returned this building to its original condition. The steeple dates to 1488. The church's Gothic architecture alone is worth the trip, but viisitors also take the time to admire some of the objects and paintings that decorate it, such as the rosary altar, for which the main painting was done by Félix Cortey, a painter from Bagnes.

During the first half of the 19th century, the alpine meadows located in the protected area of the high-elevation parts of Val de Bagnes acquired stables of a very distinctive type: they were built of materials found on the spot, namely stone and earth. This unique characteristic prompted the federal authorities to classify these structures as historic monuments.
They are found in the alpine meadows of Louvie, Sovereu, Le Crêt, Le Giétroz and La Lia. These magnificent vaulted stables have been restored by the Municipality of Bagnes.
In the meadows, the herders lived in rudimentary huts called "îtres", made primarily of stone. Many of these structures have also been restored.

Deep in the Bagnes Valley rises the Mauvoisin dam. This hydroelectirc complex was built between 1951 and 1958, then made higher in 1991. The impressive structure, 250 metres tall, is the second-largest arch dam in the world.
Many Bagnes heritage sites are scattered throughout the municipality and can be explored on your own.