Lens brings together local history, contemporary art and trails in a landscape that can be explored through specific places and routes. At the Musée Le Grand Lens, the exhibits range from village crafts to literature; Christ-Roi and the Grand Bisse offer further points of interest. This lets you give culture, art and hiking different emphasis when planning your stay.
Culture and Art in Lens
The Musée Le Grand Lens is housed in a residence built in 1889. Its collection includes items from two former village shoemaker’s workshops and a saddlery. The annals of village history contain records dating back as far as the 1st millennium BC. The museum also displays portraits of the ancestors of a noble family. A dedicated section focuses on Charles-Ferdinand Ramuz and Albert Muret, who were inspired by the village of Lens. Ramuz wrote several novels in Lens, including “La Séparation des Races”. Crafts, village history and literary connections thus offer different themes for a museum visit.
The Fondation Opale is a contemporary art centre dedicated to promoting Indigenous Australian art in Europe. Its exhibitions are based primarily on the Collection Bérengère Primat. Figures published in 2026 put the collection at more than 1,900 works by over 440 artists. The parking area du Louché is opposite the Fondation Opale, a three-minute walk away.
Landmarks and Cultural Heritage
As of 2024, the Église Saint-Pierre and its bell tower, along with the monumental statue of Christ-Roi, are listed as Category B cultural heritage sites in the cantonal inventory of cultural property. The statue overlooks the village of Lens and was erected in 1935 by Canon Pierre Gard. The Château de Vaas in Vaas is listed in the cantonal register of protected monuments, which gives 14 June 1972 as the protection date.
Landscape and Hiking Routes
Lens lies at an altitude of 1,100 metres in a hollow on the Châtelard hill. The Grand Bisse skirts this hill, passing between rocks and steppe landscapes. The trail is 8.6 kilometres long and runs from Icogne to Chermignon-d’en-Bas. With a little luck, you may spot green lizards and colourful butterflies along the Grand Bisse. Its length and stated endpoints give you an idea of the route; no walking time is provided.
At the time of the research, the “Trail de Lens” was listed on the tourism portal as a route of moderate difficulty. At the time of the research, the tourism portal also listed the “Lens – Statue du Christ-Roi” trail as a hiking route in the Lens area and “Ascension du Christ-Roi” as a route in the area. The information therefore differs in its focus: for the Grand Bisse, the length and endpoints are specified; for the Trail de Lens, a moderate difficulty level was given at the time of the research. This lets you assess the routes using whichever information is helpful for your planning.
More Practical Information
Pedal boat rides are available on Lac du Louché; seasonal operation may vary. If you plan this activity, check availability for your visit. In Vaas, the Château de Vaas – Maison des Cornalins offers a permanent, free exhibition on the history and cultivation of the Cornalin grape variety. Check access before your visit. The Château de Vaas wine library offers wine presentations and tastings featuring selected wines from regional winegrowers throughout the year; check current availability in advance as well.
Discover more destinations: Flanthey, Saint-Jean Vs, Chalais Vs, Crans-Sur-Sierre, Crans-Montana, Chandolin, Ayer, Anniviers.
For the broader travel overview: Siders.
