A vineyard covering 268.8 hectares, the Humagne grape variety and paths through the wine-growing landscape give Leytron a distinctive character. At the same time, its offerings range from local culture to those of Ovronnaz, the thermal and tourist resort at higher elevation. When planning your trip, it is worth considering wine, culture and outdoor activities as separate areas of interest.
Humagne and the wine-growing landscape
Humagne rouge is Leytron’s emblematic grape variety; the village is also known as the «Village de l’Humagne» because of its wines. In 1946, the first bottle marketed under the name «Humagne rouge» was released in Leytron. Humagne blanc is also part of the local wine profile: the grape variety is grown exclusively in Valais and covers around three hectares in Leytron. If you would like to get to know the wines better, there are two distinct Humagne varieties to explore—the emblematic red variety and the white one with particularly strong regional roots.
The vineyard stretches from 470 metres at Ravaney to 840 metres at Champ du Seigle. Its geological foundations include Rhône alluvium, the alluvial fans of Lozentse and Chenal, a clay-rich landslide, the Ardévaz rockslide and a glacial moraine of Aalenian schists. This variety is part of the landscape of the vineyards, which can be explored on foot or by bicycle. The Chemin du vignoble is a cantonally recognised route, and the hiking trail is signposted as route number 36. The Chemin du vignoble à pied runs between Fully, Saillon, Leytron and Chamoson.
The Domaine du Grand Brûlé is located in the village of Leytron and has belonged to the Canton of Valais since 1918. It covers 12 hectares and features 22 grape varieties, including Petite Arvine and Cornalin; the range may change. At L’Œnothèque, you can taste more than 250 wines from wine cellars between Martigny and Salgesch. 85 percent of the wines on offer are described as rare, and the tastings are accompanied by Valais specialities. The selection may change. The Café des Vergers in the centre serves Valais products, including fondues, meat dishes and snails with homemade butter; the menu may also change.
Local history and culture
The Ancienne Église Saint-Martin was founded around 1250 on an earlier Gallo-Roman site. Its bell tower dates from the 10th or 11th century and is listed as a historic monument. This site therefore brings together two distinct historical dates: the church’s foundation and the earlier period of the tower. Established in April 2024, the municipal cultural commission is developing a cultural programme and once again using the Ancienne Église as a place for meeting and socialising.
Local Patois is also part of cultural life. The «Li Brindèyeü dè Laïtron» society preserves Patois and Leytron’s cultural heritage through folk activities, as well as singing and Patois activities. These offer different insights from wine tastings or paths through the vineyards: culture here is expressed both through historic buildings and through the preservation of the local language and traditions.
Ovronnaz and outdoor activities
On the upper slopes of the municipality lies Ovronnaz, a thermal and tourist resort. Activities on offer there in summer and winter include skiing, thermal baths and hiking. The Alpage d’Odonne is a family alpine pasture in the municipality of Leytron, renovated in 2024 and located at an altitude of 1,600 metres. It can be reached on foot from the Ovronnaz holiday resort in less than an hour. There is food available on site, local products for sale and cheese-making workshops.
Other activities offer different seasonal highlights. The Tourbillon Nordic Centre in Ovronnaz offers several cross-country ski trails through the surrounding forest; whether they are open depends on snow conditions. The Sentier des Légendes combines hiking with heritage discovery and leads from Tourbillon via the Grande Corniche. In winter, access depends on snow conditions. At the Mini zoo de Jorasse, at an altitude of 2,000 metres, visitors can see farm animals in summer. Pony rides for children take place in good weather and depend on the animals’ movements.
Different routes offer further ways to explore the landscape. The Via Farinet runs through the Salentze gorges and provides access to the natural and cultural areas of the municipalities of Saillon and Leytron; check access conditions before setting out. In the region around Leytron, the Farinet suspension bridge crosses the Salentze Gorge. The Ovronnaz/Mayens de Chamoson – Valais Velo Tour cycling route runs alongside the Salentse through pastures and coniferous forests. Heading towards Ovronnaz, it offers views of the Grand Muveran. The «La villageoise» mountain biking and e-bike route passes through the forest, crosses the Salentse and returns to the resort via the hamlets of Chou and Morthey. Conditions and the recommended time to travel may change for this seasonal route; check before setting out.
Planning your journey and accommodation
Leytron can be reached by the Sion–Martigny PostBus route, the Rhône motorway via the Riddes exit, or by train from the stations in Sion, Martigny or Riddes. Check the current PostBus timetable before departure. Compare your accommodation’s specific location with your planned visits before deciding how to spend your days.
Discover more destinations: Saxon, Riddes, Arbarey, Martigny, Isérables, Martigny-Combe, Fully
Return to the main travel overview: Martigny.
