Stories, legends and local tips

The village of Evolène presents a rich heritage, through its ancestral architecture, culture and gastronomy. Discover its historic chalets, centuries-old bisses (man-made irrigation channels) and traditional crafts alongside enthusiastic local guides. Make the most of your stay to enjoy the very best of Valais’ delicacies.

Before creating the warm dens that are now the rooms and chalets of the Rucher d’Evolène, the interior design duo, made of Christine and Claude, have made it their mission to delve into the village’s history and its rich architectural tradition. A journey through time that allowed them to capture the beauty of the place without betraying its essence or the memory of its former residents. This is their story.

Low cliffs, steep climbs, soaring peaks – whether you're just starting out or an advanced climber, our expert climbing guide Indre has just the rock for you. And when the sun dips, finish with an apéro on the rock face and raise a toast to Alpine beauty.

For those of you who want to know more about the patois of Evolène, there is a small publication worth discovering. La Langue du Cœur, by Gisèle Pannatier and Isabella Cabral, offers a simple and living introduction to this language, passed down through generations.

Climb up, then fly down for a true adrenalin rush. Our climbing guide Indre Kutkaite will take you along a via ferrata, then lead you on a hike to the peak. Here, Sam Vernier will be waiting to glide back down with you in a tandem paraglider.

Meet Madame Joanne and discover a British glaciologist’s take on 1960s Evolène, from culture shock and fashion to women's right to vote.

Spend the night in a snowcave you dig yourself. Our guides will take you up the mountain and show you how to set up for this truly unique experience. They will also bring provisions so you can rest in peace, knowing breakfast with a view awaits.

Discover the magic of winter after dark as you learn the basics of ice climbing or tackle trickier frozen routes with guidance from Antoine, our expert instructor. As each person takes a turn on the ice, the rest gather by the fire for raclette melted over warm bread. A true Alpine delight.

Meet Alain, the illustrator who fell in love with Evolène and whose drawings you can find across our website.

Meet Claude, the visual artist born in the valley capturing different perspectives of her native land.

Hear from Patrick, the pilot who meets the Dent-Blanche at eye-level and watches over the valley from the sky.

Meet Dédé, a mountain guide and steep skiing legend dedicated to creating unforgettable shared experiences among the Alps.

Meet Mariagrazia and Paolo, the contemporary artists exploring how nature communes with humanity in Evolène.

Meet Raoul, the roofing contractor preserving the old ways of roof construction.

Meet Jean-Michel, the architect who returned home to run the local grocery store.

Meet Serge and Antoine at the top of the Alps during a ski mountaineering trip to rival the Patrouille des Glaciers.

Spotlight on Fernand, the man restoring classic cars from a garage tucked away in Evolène.

Meet Luc and learn about the restoration of Evolène's traditional soapstone ovens that you can still find in our chalets.

Meet Denise and get an introduction to the Marie Métrailler Workshop Foundation and the importance of weaving for Evolène and beyond.

Meet Jean-Pierre and learn about dendrochronology, the science of studying trees to date events – or in this case, the buildings of Evołène.

Meet Jean-Yves, the man producing 300 to 400 bottles of wine a year from his own vineyards above Sion.

Meet Odette, the ribbon lady preserving the local craft of weaving for the next generation.

Spotlight on astrophysicist Gilbert as he discusses the big secrets of the universe from right in the heart of Evolène.

Meet André-Georges, the mountain guide who can practically climb the Dent-Blanche with his eyes closed.

Meet Claude, the architect carefully restoring our chalets to preserve their stories.

Meet Charlot, the genealogist preserving Evolène's history by tracing the ancestry of the Valais region.

Meet Raymonde, the face behind Au Vieux Mazot—and some of the best raclette this side of the Alps.

A place is best discovered on foot. Browse our curated list of hiking routes for every skill level. Ready to hit the trails?