Discover Vex through its historic buildings and irrigation channels, whose history dates back to 15th-century agriculture. The Tour Tavelli and Saint-Sylve represent different periods, while the bisses can be distinguished by their routes and landscapes. When planning your stay, you can weigh up whether to focus on architectural history or a specific walk.
Archaeological Traces and Architectural History
Finds from the Middle Neolithic and Early Bronze Age have been discovered at the Tour Tavelli. Graves from the Roman era containing bracelets have also come to light near the present-day village of Vex. The bracelets are housed in the Archaeology Museum. The archaeological traces thus span prehistoric periods through to Roman times.
The fortified Tour Tavelli was built around 1200 and, after its destruction around 1450, was restored in 1997. Its octagonal tower is considered the only known example of its kind in 13th-century Valais military architecture, and possibly in Switzerland. Historically, it served to control the route from Combioulaz to neighbouring settlements. Its distinctive design was therefore linked to a specific role in the road network of the time.
Saint-Sylve reflects further phases of construction. The first Romanesque church was built at the end of the 11th century; the nave of the Ancienne Ă©glise Saint-Sylve also dates from the 11th century. The old church has a square Gothic choir dating from 1498. A 16th-century mural depicts the Coronation of the Virgin Mary. The new Saint-Sylve church dates from 1962 and uses wood and stone as its principal building materials.
La Majorie and the Pont de Riva also add to Vex’s architectural history: La Majorie was the residence of the major, an official of the Cathedral Chapter of Sion. The Pont de Riva is a stone arch bridge with a span of ten metres; it was probably built around 1865.
Bisses and Specific Hiking Options
The Grand Bisse de Vex was created in 1453: farmers from the region built it to channel water from the Printze to the cultivated land in the municipality of Vex. After being restored in 2001, its route is now a popular hiking trail. One option with clearly stated details is the Chemin du Grand Bisse de Vex: this easy walk is eight kilometres long, takes about one hour and 40 minutes, and starts and ends in Les-Mayens-de-Sion. Its comfortable forest path runs alongside an irrigation bisse. Dense larch and spruce forests, small clearings and views across the plain characterise the route.
The Bisse de la Muraz offers a different route profile. Its eight-kilometre tourist trail follows the canal only in part and passes through alpine pastures, forests and the resort of Les Collons. The bisse itself is thought to be the oldest irrigation channel in Val d’Hérens. Compared with the Chemin du Grand Bisse de Vex, the partial canal route and the landscapes are the highlights here, while the Chemin also has a stated duration and difficulty level.
The Bisse de Fang is characterised by its approximate length and endpoint: it runs for about 7.5 kilometres through hay meadows and deciduous and spruce forests, ending at Vex. A total of 81 springs emerge at Combioûla, with temperatures ranging from 14 to 26 degrees; three of them carry more water.
More Activities in Thyon and Vex
For snow sports, Thyon has two beginner areas. The Petit Vallon area has two free magic carpets. The Thyon ski area is also linked to a ski network that includes Thyon-RĂ©gion, Veysonnaz, Nendaz, La Tzoumaz, Verbier and Bruson. This network has more than 82 cable cars and lifts, as well as 412 kilometres of pistes.
Local produce and a guided horse experience offer further possible focuses. During a visit to the Alpage de Thyon, you can sample Tomme, Sérac or milk. At Ranch Le Caribou in Vex, children can care for horses and ponies on request and under Julia’s supervision. Seasonal availability may vary; check before planning whether a session is offered during your travel dates.
Discover more destinations: Ayent, Evolène, Evolène, Vex, Les Agettes, Vernamiège, Mase, Eison.
Back to the overview of the region: HĂ©rens.
