Saint-Léonard lies on the right bank of the Rhône between Sion and Sierre, surrounded by sunny vineyards. Beneath the vineyard slope is a lake that gives the village an unusual second level: the natural, navigable underground lake is 300 metres long and lies 30 to 70 metres below the surface. This offers several focal points when planning a trip: the underground landscape, vineyard slopes, trails and archaeological traces.

The underground lake: a visit in its own right

The underground lake of Saint-Léonard is considered Europe's largest natural, navigable underground lake. Its completely flooded cave is explored on guided visits by rowing boat; each boat can accommodate up to 40 people. The guided tour lasts 30 minutes. The lake was first explored by Jean-Jacques Pittard in 1943 and has been open for visits since 1949. Visits are seasonal. Check current access arrangements before travelling so you can plan your visit around your stay.

Trails through vineyards and rocky passages

The A flanc de côteau walking trail starts at the CFF railway station, passes through Saint-Léonard and then climbs to the vineyards above the underground lake. Almost the entire route runs through vineyards; it has very little elevation change and offers views over the Rhône plain. This is a way to experience the landscape on a route whose profile and views are specifically described.

The Bisse de Sillonin has a different character: the 9-kilometre trail is marked in part and passes through a dizzying rocky passage secured with a handrail cable. It continues as far as Vaas. There, visitors can visit the Musée des Cornalins in Château de Vaas and sample regional wines. The two trails can therefore be compared by their different features: A flanc de côteau runs almost entirely through vineyards and has little elevation change, while the length and secured rocky passage are distinctive features of the Bisse de Sillonin.

The Chemin du Vignoble offers another route. It leads to the Liène gorges, descends to Saint-Léonard, crosses the river there and climbs through the vineyards on the other side. Cyclists can also consider the Châteaux de Sion cycle route, which passes through Saint-Léonard. Its descent to Saint-Léonard runs mostly along a narrow vineyard road. The route is considered quite challenging and is aimed at sporty cyclists.

Archaeological traces and local history

Saint-Léonard's history spans several eras. The village and municipality have been mentioned since the 11th century; the first church in Saint-Léonard was built in 1210. A Carolingian crucifix found in Saint-Léonard is kept at the Musée de Valère in Sion and is considered evidence of the existence of a religious community in the 9th century.

For Saint-Léonard, the Neolithic period between 5500 and 2200 BC is the most significant archaeological period. Excavations at the «Sur le Grand Pré» site between 1957 and 1962 made Saint-Léonard a reference site for European prehistoric archaeology. Other specific discoveries add to this picture: in 1974, Neolithic rock engravings were discovered at «La Crête des Barmes», and in 1976 several Chamblandes-type graves were uncovered at the «Les Bâtiments» site.

The wine story is just as specific: Cave Bétrisey specialises in the distinctive grape varieties Rèze, Roussane and Fumin.

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Go to the main travel overview: Sion.