Description
In the bowels of the mountain, high above the hamlet of Bonatchiesse, lies a slumbering soapstone quarry.
Join a guided tour to learn more about this rock, its quarrying and extraction. It is here, deep within the mountain, that the raw stone lies hidden – stone which, once worked by skilled craftsmen, becomes the famous Bagnard stove, renowned for its exceptional ability to store and release heat.
Exploitation of this rich vein began as early as 1830, but at the turn of the 20th century, a massive collapse temporarily brought the venture to a halt. After a few years of disuse, the tunnelling of a new gallery allowed operations to resume. The end of the Second World War, but above all the arrival of electricity, sounded the death knell for the history of this treasure trove of a mine. Aware of the importance of this heritage, the municipality of Val de Bagnes decided in 2010 to secure the site and make it more accessible to visitors.
Meet at 8.50 am at the Sentier des Roches in Bonatchiesse for a guided tour to the Bocheresse quarry, or between 11 am and 3 pm directly at the Bocheresse quarry (unaccompanied walk). The guided tour of the quarry lasts approximately 30 to 45 minutes. A tour of the Sentier des Roches is offered on the return journey, at around 4 pm.
Allow approximately 2 hours for the unguided walk from Bonnatchiesse to the Bocheresse quarry. Please wear warm clothing as the temperature inside the quarry is around 8°C.
No booking required
no registration required
