Orsières lies in the French-speaking part of the canton of Valais, in the district of Entremont, and is a stop at the crossroads of the Via Francigena and the Tour du Mont-Blanc. Two Alpine valleys branch off here: Val d’Entremont and Val Ferret, which stretches to the foothills of the Mont Blanc range. Alpine valleys and slopes with forests, mountain pastures and streams shape the landscape within the municipality. Traditional Valais houses stand alongside modern chalets and newer buildings in the village. The Alpine climate brings snowy winters and pleasant summers.

Alpine landscape and trails

The mountain scenery invites you to go hiking and enjoy nature. To take a cycling trip, the route through Val Ferret starts at Orsières railway station. It follows Route de Ferret through the valley towards Somlaproz. Its starting point, valley course and direction make this route different from the “Les villages” circular tour.

This circular tour also starts in Orsières, but takes you to the traditional communal ovens in the villages of Reppaz, La Rosière and Chamoille. You can reach the circular tour by public transport and take the train to Orsières. This distinguishes two different tour ideas: a cycling route with a specified direction into Val Ferret, and a circular route to village destinations. For your specific journey, it is worth checking the current timetable.

The road connections also follow their own routes: from Orsières, secondary roads cross the Champex pass through the Durnand Valley. So, as well as trails through the Alpine landscape, roads through the valleys are another way to find your bearings during your stay.

Church and history

The church in the centre of the municipality is a late Gothic, three-aisled building on granite foundations. Its location is noteworthy: in the Middle Ages, a fortified village probably stood there. The bell tower is Romanesque and was probably raised in the 14th century. It houses six bells on three levels.

The church’s exterior niche features the fresco “La messe de Saint Grégoire”, which dates from around the 15th century. An archaeological site in Orsières also points to a long history of settlement: as of 1 January 2024, it is listed as a category B cultural property in the Valais Cultural Property Inventory; its dating spans from Roman times to the Early Middle Ages. The church, fresco and archaeological site offer different ways to explore the history of the area, from architecture to traces of earlier times.

Cheese and regional products

Tours at the Laiterie d’Orsières explain how cheese is made and explore the history of the surrounding regions. You can taste raclette in an oenotheque and buy regional products from the local terroir. This combines a look at the production process with an opportunity to discover local products.

In Val Ferret, the Alpage de la Peule lies at an altitude of 2,071 metres. Visitors can learn about the artisanal production of raclette cheese, Tomme and butter there. This Alpine offering is seasonal. It complements the insights at the Laiterie with an introduction to the production of three different dairy products at an alpine pasture.

More experiences

In the surrounding region, Lac de Champex offers activities on the water: you can use pedal boats and rowboats or try stand-up paddleboarding. Availability depends on the season and weather, so it is best to check before your visit.

A treasure hunt in Orsières uses a card with ten questions. The answers lead to a final code that opens a treasure chest. This is a different way to explore the area than taking a tour through the villages or visiting the church: here, solving the questions is the main focus.

Discover more destinations: Vollèges, Sarreyer, Champex, Liddes, La Fouly, Fionnay, Bagnes, Verbier

For the full travel overview: Entremont.