Between nature, culture and heritage: the summer season in Val d'Hérens is launched

02 / 06 / 2025 | 16:00

Temperatures are soaring, nature is sparkling in the brilliant sunshine and the cattle are getting ready for the inalpe: summer has kicked off in Val d'Hérens. The launch of the season is marked in particular by the annual reopening of the emblematic Grande Dixence on 29 May, which this year celebrates the 75th anniversary of its operating company. This jubilee sets the tone for an exciting summer, punctuated by outdoor activities and cultural offers to discover the valley's rich heritage.

 

Grande Dixence: 75 years of Alpine ingenuity

 

A symbol of technical prowess and natural beauty, the emblematic Grande Dixence dam reopens its doors on 29 May and this year celebrates three quarters of a century of the company that brought it to life, Grande Dixence SA. Yoann Nendaz, Director of the Hérémence Tourist Office, emphasises the importance of this monument for the region: ‘Grande Dixence is much more than an engineering structure. It is part of the collective identity of the region and an entire canton. To celebrate this anniversary is to honour the memory of an area and a people who have always been able to combine the power of nature with human intelligence’. To mark this jubilee, a travelling exhibition will be held in the 22 communes that have granted water rights to Grande Dixence, from May to December. To retrace the history of this titanic project and experience it from the inside, two historical rides will also be organised on 23 August and 20 September, immersing visitors in the 1950s. After a trip to the dam in a vintage vehicle that used to transport workers, visitors will be taken on a guided tour of the site by a historian. Throughout the summer, visitors can also explore the bowels of the dam on guided tours, experience the thrills of a zip line or simply take a walk on the crest of the dam or along Lac des Dix, in a spectacular Alpine setting.

 

Culture and heritage in the background

 

The summer season is also an opportunity to highlight the valley's rich traditions and heritage. With plenty of opportunities for activities such as hiking, mountain biking and climbing, the destination is not only for sports enthusiasts, but also for epicureans and history lovers looking for an authentic holiday. Visitors will be delighted by the many guided tours to meet cheese producers and the famous Hérens breeds, or by a visit to the unspoilt villages of the valley and their gourmet specialities. If you're curious, don't miss a stop at the mysterious Pyramides d'Euseigne, whose natural formation is as fascinating as it is intriguing. Whether discovering the ingenuity of its ancestors, meeting its people and traditions or enjoying its natural beauty, the Val d'Hérens invites you to take your time and soak up the most sincere Valais soul.