History has left us with a rich and multifaceted heritage, from traditional lore passed down through generations to rural customs upheld since time immemorial. Despite the inroads of tourism and thanks to the hardy folk of the Val d’Illiez who proudly maintain centuries-old traditions and customs, visitors to the Region Dents du Midi can experience our Terroir in a multitude of different ways. We ‘locals’ take great pride in our strong regional identity, but this doesn’t mean we’re rooted in the past.
Culture
While traditions and folklore are carefully guarded, our love of culture means we are also innovators, looking ever
forward to a future filled with multicultural exchange, events, exhibits, art, literature, music and shows.
History & Traditions
From tall tales to unbelievable-but-true local legends, the Val d’Illiez is a history buff’s dream! Our past is ever-present, thanks to various heritage associations who work tirelessly to preserve the architectural, geographic and cultural heritage left by our ancestors. Take a lesson in patois, our ancient local dialect, find out about the larger-than-life ‘Gros Bellet’ who inspired a revolution in 1790 or follow in the footsteps of the daring smugglers who criss-crossed our alpine valleys in the dead of night…
Know-how
The Val d’Illiez has a long history of alpine craftsmanship and these ancestral techniques have been carefully preserved and transmitted from generation to generation. Despite the inroads of tourism, local artisans, shops and restaurants still welcome visitors to the region with the same hearty simplicity as in days gone by. Revisit the past at an old grain mill, a communal bread oven, a traditional bell foundry…
Alpine Pastures
These uncultivated, high-altitude grasslands were hard-won from the thick forests which covered the untainsides hundreds of years ago. Generations of farming families ave brought their herds of hardy sheep, goats, and cattle to spend the summer grazing in the sunshine, helping to keep the forests at bay and, in the process, creating unique ecosystems of plants, wild animals and traditions which vary from one hillside to another.
Agenda
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Top event
Welsh Alpine Championships & Welsh Week
The Welsh National Alpine Ski Championship returns to Les Crosets for its 18th edition! -
Théâtre | Toqué avant d’entrer
New comedy show presented by Val-d’Illiez theater troupe La Comédillienne. -
Vernissage | “When the sun fades” by Cloé Schaller
Cloé Schaller presents various works in painting, drawing, and sewing created in 2024, which capture the experience of a moving meditation she undertook alone in 2018 on the Tour des Dents du Midi. -
Théâtre | Toqué avant d’entrer
New comedy show presented by Val-d’Illiez theater troupe La Comédillienne. -
Théâtre | Toqué avant d’entrer
New comedy show presented by Val-d’Illiez theater troupe La Comédillienne. -
Théâtre | Toqué avant d’entrer
New comedy show presented by Val-d’Illiez theater troupe La Comédillienne. -
Théâtre | Toqué avant d’entrer
New comedy show presented by Val-d’Illiez theater troupe La Comédillienne. -
Et si on parlait de…
Wine, life and the time that remains. -
Show | Le jour de la gazelle
Didn’t you know? Today is gazelle day on the savannah! A magnificent play by the Jolla company. -
Support dinner | FC Troistorrents
Celebrating 75 years of passion! -
Vernissage | De poils et de plumes by Anne Dussaux
Passionate about nature since childhood, Anne Dussaux explores the connection between humans and animals through oil paintings. Discover her alpine wildlife, birds, rodents, and African animals on canvas, wood, and slate. -
Concert | Tribute to Michel Berger – Ton piano danse toujours
Immerse yourself in the musical universe of Michel Berger through a moving and vibrant retrospective!