Monthey can be explored through a wide range of routes and themes: historic fountains and industrial history shape the town, while trails lead into the countryside around Monthey. When planning your visit, it is worth deciding first whether you want to focus on cultural venues, local traditions or a hike.

Fountains, waterways and industrial history

The Musée du Vieux-Monthey explores the town’s development, its people and its associations. Local crafts and industry are also among its themes. To explore this history outdoors, you can take a fountain tour, which tells the story of the historic water sources, including fountains made of precious marble or created by renowned artists.

The Meunières waterways connect Monthey’s watercourses with its industrial past. They supplied the first industries with hydropower and drove the waterwheels of a tannery and a glassworks. A section that is still open can be seen behind Ciba and Novartis before it flows into the Mangettes Canal and the Rhône. A tour of industrial development visits companies that emerged as factory activity along the Vièze gradually declined following the introduction of electricity in Monthey in 1893.

Further insights are offered by “La ville était village,” a tour through Monthey’s streets and past the town’s historic treasures, as well as Château-Vieux. There, the remains of foundations, part of the square tower and sections of wall around the former settlement have been preserved. Château de Monthey serves a different purpose: it hosts exhibitions, concerts and other cultural activities.

Cultural venues and local traditions

Monthey’s cultural scene ranges from theatre to contemporary music. Théâtre du Raccot in Malévoz Quartier Culturel stages intimate theatre productions; the gardens of the cultural quarter are also home to the permanent Galerie du Laurier, which hosts exhibitions every year. Théâtre du Crochetan and its gallery present almost 50 performances and exhibitions each year. Contemporary music is at the heart of Pont Rouge, while Le Kremlin, in the former Monthéolo cinema, offers films, concerts and other creative work.

If you would like to learn an artistic technique yourself, the École Suisse de Vitrail et de Création welcomes visitors for informal tours, introductory courses or a full course of study. Its introduction to traditional stained glass is open to a broad audience and requires no prior knowledge. This is a different way to experience Monthey’s culture than taking a tour or attending an event.

The events calendar can also influence when you choose to visit. The Carnaval de Monthey takes place from Thursday to Tuesday before Ash Wednesday; masks, floats, Guggenmusik and other events fill the town centre. The Sunday parade features current local, regional or international themes and attracts a large audience each year. On Wednesdays, the market at Place Tübingen and Avenue de la Gare offers regional produce, fresh products and local crafts.

Compare hikes and trails

At the Gorges de la Vièze, scenery and points of interest go hand in hand: the trail crosses a 90-metre-long suspension bridge, 60 metres above the ground, on its way to the village of Choëx. Seven information panels cover the gorge’s geological, biological and historical heritage. If you are looking for a guided option, “Monthey en montagnes” is a six-kilometre loop starting from Vallon de They. Along the way, the focus is on the geography, geology, alpine farming and cultural heritage of Monthey’s mountain areas.

The Monthey–Massongex–Monthey route is rated moderate and covers 11 kilometres, with 339 metres of ascent and descent. It starts and ends at Vieux-Pont Monthey; a return trip by train from Massongex is listed as an alternative. Check the current timetable if you choose this option. Distance alone does not indicate how demanding a route is: its rating and elevation gain are also useful when comparing hikes.

The Monthey–Les Cerniers route is described as difficult and covers 7.5 kilometres, with 888 metres of ascent and 28 metres of descent. It passes through forests and pastures in the Monthey highlands and offers open views of the Rhône plain. The Forest Tour has a different profile: it is rated easy and covers 6.1 kilometres, with 296 metres of ascent and descent. Starting from Les Cerniers, it follows the winter snowshoe trail through the forest and passes several viewpoints.

You can also choose a themed route by bike: “Monthey: les coulisses” connects the town’s cultural venues.

Discover more destinations

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