Saint-Jean Vs combines historic buildings and village history with routes that pass through the village and continue on to Mayoux. The historic walk through Saint-Jean takes in 22 notable stops in the village; the Bisse de Saint-Jean offers a different perspective on the surrounding area. You can tailor your stay to culture, hiking or a mix of both.
From Saint-Jean, you can enjoy views of the Zinalrothorn and the valley. Mission is also recommended as a viewpoint for a first look at Saint-Jean. A photograph taken from Mission in 1930 shows Saint-Jean on a moraine terrace, divided into three parts of the village.
Chapels, lanes and historic architecture
The lanes lined with buildings are closely connected with the history and daily life of the residents. On Route de St-Jean d’en bas, in the district of Saint-Jean d’en bas, stands the Chapelle de St-Jean Baptiste. It dates mainly from around 1680 and is a cultural property of cantonal importance. Its interior and furnishings have undergone only minor changes since the extensive work carried out in 1881.
The Notre Dame du Rosaire chapel stands beside a lane in the heart of the village and is dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary. Its barrel vault probably dates no earlier than the 14th century. Beneath the chapel is a low cellar, which now houses the municipal archives of Saint-Jean, along with some objects relating to the village’s religious past.
Smaller architectural details also tell stories of different periods. The Oratoire Saint-FĂ©lix was built in 1711. It contains painted depictions of the Evangelists from the early 18th century, as well as a keystone featuring a bearded Christ. The brotherhood associated with the Oratoire is thought to date from the mid-14th century. The Four banal de Saint-Jean has a traditional design, with one masonry and one wooden section, and a shingle roof; it is historically and architecturally significant.
A chapel in St-Jean d’en haut, on the edge of the Combaz, is mentioned as early as 1266. It is a distinct historical reference to the district and complements the more recent histories of the village chapels. The 22-stop walk provides a way to appreciate these connections alongside the lanes and buildings.
Hiking along the bisse and seasonal routes
The Bisse de Saint-Jean was restored in 2012 using traditional techniques. Water once again flows in the open along parts of the restored bisse; wooden distributors are used for irrigation. The marked T1 trail is 3.90 kilometres long and runs at an elevation of 1,430 to 1,260 metres. It passes through St-Jean d’en Haut and ends in Mayoux. This hike highlights both the route and the irrigation features that are once again visible.
Another hiking option is the Chemin des Animaux, an easy, family-friendly hike linking Grimentz and Saint-Jean through woodland and pastureland. The suitability information applies to this route. In contrast, the bisse trail through St-Jean d’en Haut follows its own route to Mayoux; the two routes connect different places and landscapes.
There are also different routes for winter. The St-Jean–Mayoux snowshoe trail passes through Orzival on its way to Mayoux and follows the Taougdires forest road for part of the way. From Mayoux, you can take the post bus back to Saint-Jean. The Grimentz–St-Jean snowshoe trail, marked with reflective signs, makes a night-time winter hike between the two villages possible. It is not lit, so a headlamp is required. Snow and trail conditions can change, so take them into account when planning.
You can plan to reach the bisse trail by public transport; post bus services are available in Grimentz and Mayoux. From Saint-Jean, you can return to Grimentz by post bus or on foot via the Grand Bisse de Saint-Jean. The route described for reaching the snowshoe trail involves taking the train to Sierre, then the post bus towards Vissoie, followed by the bus towards Grimentz to the Saint-Jean stop. Check the current timetables before setting out.
The routes differ in their course and destination; winter hikes also involve changing conditions, while bus timetables are part of the planning.
Discover more destinations: Sierre, Veyras, Icogne, Lens, Chalais Vs, Chandolin, Saint-Luc Vs, Chippis.
For the overview of the wider region: Siders.
