Whether you prefer hiking, tasting wine or exploring cultural history, Riddes brings together a variety of discoveries amid a striking landscape. The village lies between orchards and vineyards on the left bank of the Rhône. The municipality stretches from the valley floor to Mont Gelé, at an altitude of 3,023 metres. A cable car connects Riddes with the municipality of Isérables—another option to consider when planning your stay.
Landscape and trails
La Voie des Érables starts at Pied du Mont in Riddes and climbs in switchbacks to the village of Isérables. Along the way, the hiking trail crosses meadows and follows the edges of woodland, passing apricot orchards. There are also views of the Rhône Valley. From Isérables, twelve information panels tell visitors about the history and nature of the surrounding area. The route thus combines a walk through the landscape with an insight into its local context.
Two different routes are described for road cyclists. The Aproz route follows the left bank of the RhĂ´ne from Riddes to Aproz. Vignobles, villages et vergers runs through Riddes. When planning, you can therefore choose between a route with Riddes and Aproz as its named endpoints and one that passes through the village. Route conditions may change; check them before setting out.
Getting there and continuing your journey
You can reach Riddes by train from Geneva or Brig, then walk a few hundred metres to the cable car. The station is on the Martigny–Sion CFF line. From there, it is about a five- to ten-minute walk towards the Riddes–Isérables cable car. From the mountain station in Isérables, a further 250-metre walk leads to the Musée d’Isérables. Check current timetables for your connections before travelling.
By car, take motorway exit 24 Riddes/Saillon/Chamoson/Leytron, then follow the cantonal road towards the village of Riddes. A PostBus service from the Riddes–Isérables connection continues to the holiday resort of La Tzoumaz; La Tzoumaz is also accessible by road. Trains, cars, the cable car and the PostBus therefore play different roles in getting there and continuing your journey.
Cultural history and events
The Church of Saint-Laurent was consecrated in 1701. Excavations at the church uncovered the remains of a Romanesque church building, probably corresponding to the structure mentioned in written records in 1153. Archaeological finds in Riddes also attest to several periods of settlement, from the Bronze Age to the present day. The Cure de Riddes has been a cantonally protected historic monument since 1984. La Vidondée is a cultural centre that hosts concerts and performances.
The festivals also bring different highlights to the calendar throughout the year. The Foire de Riddes takes place every two years in autumn, in even-numbered years. It celebrates craftsmanship, the processing of natural products and the trade in authentic goods; the specific exhibitors may vary. The FĂŞte de la pomme also takes place every two years. If one of the festivals is important to your trip, check the event dates in advance.
Wine, local products and food
The Le VerreMaye winery’s wine shop offers tastings from five wine ranges. These include wines made from typical Valais grape varieties such as Amigne, Heida, Johannisberg, Syrah and Cornalin. The Ô Fondue Caquelon restaurant serves traditional and unusual fondues as well as raclettes made with seasonal ingredients. The offering also includes an adjoining grocery store, a boutique, workshops and themed events.
Philfruits grows fruit and vegetables and produces fruit juices, jams, spirits and liqueurs. For visitors, it also offers a refreshment bar, a playground, farm animals and a sunny terrace. Together with the wine shop and restaurant, it provides a range of different food and visitor experiences, without requiring everyone to have the same kind of stay in mind.
Plan your stay
If you are considering Riddes as a place to stay overnight, first think about what you would like to combine: local history and food, the hike to Isérables, or continuing towards La Tzoumaz. Your interests and travel plans can help you choose a hotel; you can then plan specific outings around the relevant timetables and event dates.
Discover more destinations: La Tzoumaz, Fully, Saxon, Arbarey, Saillon, Martigny, Trient Vs, Martigny-Combe
Return to the main travel overview: Martinach.
