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89-790: Overlooking the Rhone valley from a height of about 2,600 metres, the Grand Muveran is the high point of a group (referred to as the Muverans ) composed of several summits approaching 3,000 metres, including to the southwest the Dent de Morcles and the Dent Favre , and to the northeast the Tête à Pierre Grept and the Haut de Cry . The Muverans are the second highest massif of the canton of Vaud, after

178-463: A 149 km (93 mi) section of the Rhône was made navigable for small ships up to Seyssel . As of 2017 , the part between Lyon and Sault-Brénaz is closed for navigation. The Saône, which is also canalized, connects the Rhône ports to the cities of Villefranche-sur-Saône , Mâcon and Chalon-sur-Saône . Smaller vessels (up to CEMT class I ) can travel further northwest, north and northeast via

267-498: A huge toothed "claw"wheel 6.5 metres (21 ft) across to grip the river bed in the shallows to supplement the paddle wheels. In the 20th century, powerful motor barges propelled by diesel engines were introduced, carrying 1,500 tonnes (3,300,000 lb). In 1933, the Compagnie Nationale du Rhône (CNR) was established to improve navigation and generate electricity, also to develop irrigated agriculture and to protect

356-463: A more complete list). All these lakes are used for hydroelectricity production, but they are also popular for their scenic views over the Alps. Due to the high mountains surrounding the plains of the Rhône, the climate of central Valais is particularly dry, much drier than in the rest of Switzerland . While locations at high elevations are highly exposed to rainfall and snowfall, average rainfall per year

445-662: A mountain, mountain range, or peak located in Vaud is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Rhone The Rhône ( / r oʊ n / ROHN , French: [ʁon] ) is a major river in France and Switzerland, rising in the Alps and flowing west and south through Lake Geneva and Southeastern France before discharging into the Mediterranean Sea ( Gulf of Lion ). At Arles , near its mouth,

534-790: A republic under the guidance of the prince-bishop of Sion in 1628. In 1815, Valais finally entered the Swiss Confederation as a canton. In 1878, the Simplon Railway connected most of Valais with the cities of the Swiss Plateau . The canton was further opened up by the Lötschberg Railway in 1913. The canton is also officially referred to by its long name République et canton du Valais (French) or Republik und Kanton Wallis (German). This translates into Republic and Canton of Valais . The Romans called

623-532: A road network, with elevations ranging from that of Lake Geneva at Le Bouveret to that of the Nufenen Pass , the highest paved road in Valais. The A9, the only motorway, serves the valley up to Sierre , the extension towards Brig being currently under construction. All inhabited side valleys are accessible to motorized transport since the 1960s; the high-elevation reservoirs built during those years, notably

712-597: A series of dams and diversion canals, with a navigation lock beside the hydroelectric power plant on each of these canals. The locks were up to 23 metres (75 ft) deep. After building the Génissiat dam on the Upper Rhône (with no lock) in 1948, designed to meet the electricity needs of Paris, twelve hydroelectric plants and locks were built between 1964 and 1980. With a total head of 162 m (531 ft), they produce 13 GWh of electricity annually, or 16% of

801-484: A year-round destination, renowned for its wild landscapes and numerous tourist facilities. In winter, skiing and other snow-related sports are the most popular activities. In summer, hiking and trekking are particularly popular. Climbing and mountaineering can be practised year-round, with the highest mountains of western Europe surrounding Valais. Many of the huts owned by the Swiss Alpine Club are located in

890-583: Is 251 cubic metres per second (8,900 cu ft/s). Below the dam, the Rhône receives the waters of the Arve , fed by the Mont Blanc massif, with a visibly higher sediment load and much lower temperature. After a total of 290 kilometres (180 mi) in Switzerland, the Rhône continues west, entering France and the southern Jura Mountains . It turns toward the south, past Lac de Bourget , which

979-478: Is French-speaking, while the eastern part (Upper Valais) is German-speaking. The language border crosses the Rhône between the towns of Sierre and Salgesch and follows the mountain ridge including Bella Tola , Weisshorn , and Dent Blanche . At the 2000 census, 62.8% of the population of Valais spoke French or Arpitan , 28.4% spoke German or Walser German , 2.2% spoke Italian and 6.6% spoke other languages. Only 114 people reported speaking Romansh . The canton

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1068-405: Is a large aluminium processing plant. Other metal products and chemicals are produced around Visp and Sierre , including Swiss Diamond International aluminum cookware. Valais has a long touristic tradition. Hoteliers were at the base of the development of Valais Tourism. Many of them, such as César Ritz , spent time and money to satisfy a clientele from around the world. The canton is nowadays

1157-637: Is a metre-gauge railway owned by the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn , which ultimately leads to Disentis and Chur , from Zermatt via Visp and Brig . The main railway goes through the Furka Base Tunnel in the extreme east of the canton, with the older Furka Summit Tunnel being popular for its highly scenic sections as well. The Glacier Express directly connects Zermatt with St. Moritz , using both Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn and Rhaetian Railway network. The canton comprehends

1246-544: Is also a major site of European prehistory. In particular, are the dolmens of Le Petit-Chasseur , a group of large collective burials dating back to the 3rd millennium BC. Bridges are also an important element of the Valais-built landscape. Due to its mountainous terrain which requires crossing many natural obstacles, the canton has several bridges, old or modern, often daring, including the Gueuroz Bridge which

1335-582: Is called the Sonderbund War . Under General Henri Dufour , 99,000 Swiss Federal troops were faced by 79,000 Separatists, but in the end, Valais chose not to fight. The beginning of the modern history of Valais essentially coincides with the exploration of the High Alps , the first ascent of the Matterhorn in 1865 marking the end of the golden age of alpinism . The boom of tourism followed in

1424-703: Is essentially renowned for its tourism industry and its numerous Alpine resort towns, notably Crans-Montana , Saas Fee , Verbier , and Zermatt . Overlooking the latter town, the Matterhorn has become an iconic landmark of the canton. In 1529, Valais became an associate member of the Swiss Confederation . After having resisted the Protestant Reformation and remained faithful to the Roman Catholic Church , it became

1513-558: Is given in the following table: Wines and fruit brandies , such as Poire Williams , are some of the main production of the canton. This form of agriculture is often irrigated through the use of small open-air wooden canals , called bisses in French and Suonen in German , that transport water from the glaciers above. They also constitute popular hiking routes because of their low declivity. Vineyards are grown on terraces, typically on

1602-561: Is only about 600  mm in Sion, corresponding to 50% of that of Lucerne (north of the Alps) and 30% of that of Locarno (south of the Alps). Officially, the driest location in Valais and Switzerland is Stalden , with 545  mm of rainfall per year. Valais is often described as "semi-arid", although it is not in the climatic sense of the term. Therefore, in some areas, such as Les Follatères , are found plants that are uncommon or absent in

1691-462: Is sparsely populated. Its population (as of 31 December 2020) is 348,503. As of 2007 , the population included 57,061 foreigners, or about 19.1% of the total population. The largest towns are the capital Sion ( Sitten ), Monthey , Sierre , Martigny and Brig-Glis . There is no major city located in the canton. As of 2017, 77% of total population was Roman Catholic , while only 6% were members of Swiss Reformed Church . The historical population

1780-560: Is still a prince of the Holy Roman Empire. The count-bishops then struggled to defend their area against the Zähringer and then the dukes of Savoy , so that the medieval history of Valais is inextricably linked with that of the diocese of Sion. The Dukes of Savoy, however, succeeded in winning most of the land west of Sion (Lower Valais), while in the upper part of the valley (Upper Valais) there were many feudal lords, such as

1869-616: Is the only large valley. East of Brig is the valley of Goms , the highest section of the Rhône Valley. The Rhône itself flows in the main valley from east to west from the Rhône Glacier down to Martigny, then at a right angle north to its mouth in Lake Geneva. After the town of Saint-Maurice , the eastern banks of the river belong to the canton of Vaud , although the western banks remain in Valais, down to Le Bouveret , on

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1958-543: Is the only truly large lake in the canton, although only a small fraction of it (about 10  km ) is in Valais, the plain of the Rhône comprehending only small lakes. There are however numerous sizable lakes in the high Alps, mostly artificial. The largest is Lac des Dix , closely followed by the Lac d'Emosson . Other large high-elevation lakes are Lac de Mauvoisin , Mattmarksee , lac de Salanfe , Lac de Moiry and Lac de Tseuzier (see list of mountain lakes of Switzerland for

2047-507: Is via the banks of Lake Geneva , which have several railways and highways leading towards Martigny , Sion , and the rest of the canton. The major axis is on the north side of the lake and passes via Lausanne and Vevey in the canton of Vaud . From there runs the A9 motorway and the Simplon Railway , ultimately leading to Italy via the Simplon Pass and Simplon Tunnel respectively. On

2136-545: The Canton of Bern . The locals became German-speaking , though many Romance local names remain. In 1354 the liberties of several of the seven Zenden ( Sion , Sierre , Leuk , Raron , Visp , Brig and Conches ) were confirmed by the Emperor Charles IV . By the late 14th century, the counts of Savoy acquired the bishopric of Sion. The Zenden resisted his attempts to gather both spiritual and secular power in

2225-401: The Canton of Valais , is one of the 26 cantons forming the Swiss Confederation . It is composed of thirteen districts and its capital and largest city is Sion . Valais is situated in the southwestern part of the country. It borders the cantons of Vaud and Bern to the north, the cantons of Uri and Ticino to the east, as well as Italy to the south and France to the west. It is one of

2314-875: The Centre -Loire-Briare and Loing Canals to the Seine , via the Canal de la Marne à la Saône (recently often called the " Canal entre Champagne et Bourgogne ") to the Marne , via the Canal des Vosges (formerly called the "Canal de l'Est – Branche Sud") to the Moselle and via the Canal du Rhône au Rhin to the Rhine . The Rhône is infamous for its strong current when the river carries large quantities of water: current speeds up to 10 km/h (6.2 mph) are sometimes reached, particularly in

2403-806: The Diablerets , and one of the four distinct and glaciated massifs of the Bernese Alps that lie between the Rhone elbow and the Gemmi Pass. The normal route to the summit starts from the Rambert Hut (2,582 m), above Ovronnaz. [REDACTED] Media related to Grand Muveran at Wikimedia Commons This article about a mountain, mountain range, or peak located in Valais is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . This article about

2492-549: The Grande Dixence , necessitating paved roads as well. As in most other cantons, localities are essentially served by PostBus Switzerland , which also operates numerous tourist lines on the Alpine passes and to the high-elevation lakes. Martigny, Sion, Sierre and Brig are hubs of public transportation. The winding mountain roads of Valais are very popular with drivers, bikers, and cyclists for their spectacular scenery and are

2581-905: The Great St. Bernard (Italy), and the Forclaz and the Morgins (France). Also notable are the historical and pedestrian passes of the Sanetsch , Rawil , Gemmi , and the Lötschberg , connecting Valais with the Swiss Plateau, through the Bernese Oberland . The Lötschberg, together with the Simplon, is one of the main north–south axes of Switzerland. The historical Lötschberg Railway opened in 1913. It connects directly Brig to

2670-873: The Martigny–Châtelard Railway (serving the Trient Valley ) and the Visp-Zermatt railway . Above Zermatt , the Gornergrat Railway and the Klein Matterhorn cable car are respectively the highest open-air railway and highest public transport in Europe. The Valais has two ports on Lake Geneva served by the CGN : St. Gingolph and Le Bouveret . The largest airport is located at Sion. The size and particular geographical situation of

2759-896: The Matterhorn and the Jungfrau , for a complete list, see list of mountains of Valais . Located there are numerous glaciers including several of the largest in the Alps, such as the Aletsch Glacier and the Gorner Glacier . Other ranges situated partially in Valais are the Chablais Alps , the Mont Blanc Massif , the Uri Alps , the Gotthard Massif , and the Lepontine Alps . Lake Geneva

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2848-596: The Pennine Alps from the Bernese Alps , the two largest mountain ranges of the canton. A major wine region, the canton is simultaneously one of the driest regions of Switzerland in its central Rhône valley and among the wettest, having large amounts of snow and rain upon the highest peaks found in Switzerland, such as Monte Rosa and the Finsteraarhorn . Although a major hydroelectricity producer, Valais

2937-913: The Po and the Nile , one of the three Mediterranean rivers with the largest water discharge . The name Rhône continues the Latin Rhodanus name ( Greek Ῥοδανός Rhodanós ) in Greco-Roman geography . The Gaulish name of the river was * Rodonos or * Rotonos (from a PIE root * ret- "to run, roll" frequently found in river names). Names in other languages include German : Rhone [ˈroːnə] ; Walser : Rotten [ˈrotən] ; Italian : Rodano [ˈrɔːdano] ; Arpitan : Rôno [ˈʁono] ; Occitan : Ròse [ˈrɔze, ˈʀɔze] ; and Romansh : Rodan . The Greco-Roman as well as

3026-681: The Raron affair rebellion from 1414 to 1420, some cantons of the Swiss Confederation took sides in the conflict. Lucerne , Uri and Unterwalden supported the Upper Valais rebels, while Bern supported the noble Raron family. The uprising was successful in driving out the Rarons and almost brought the Confederation to civil war. Following the Raron affair, the canton was the location of

3115-428: The Rhône basin, more precisely in the wide Alpine Rhône Valley, above Lake Geneva . The main settlements are all along the Rhône or in its proximity, the largest city being Sion , followed by Martigny , Monthey , Sierre , and Brig-Glis . The canton is traditionally divided into three regions: Lower Valais (French: Bas-Valais ), Central Valais (French: Valais central ), and Upper Valais (German: Oberwallis ), with

3204-442: The Swiss Alps , at an altitude of approximately 2,208 metres (7,244 ft). From there it flows southwest through Gletsch and the Goms, the uppermost valley region of the Valais before Brig . In the Brig area, it receives the waters of the Massa from the Aletsch Glacier , the longest glacier of the Alps, and shortly after, it receives the waters of the Vispa , the longest affluent in Valais. After that, it flows onward through

3293-403: The Valais witch trials between 1428 and 1447 in which at least 367 men and women were put to death. This event marks one of the earliest witch scares in late medieval Europe. The phenomenon later spread to other parts of the continent. With the election of Walther II. Supersaxo von der Fluhe (from Conches ) as bishop in 1457, the German-speaking part of the valley finally attained supremacy. At

3382-471: The Alps. From Lyon, the Rhône flows south, in its large valley between the Alps and the Massif Central . At Arles , the Rhône divides into two major arms forming the Camargue delta , both branches flowing into the Mediterranean Sea, the delta being termed the Rhône Fan. The larger arm is called the "Grand Rhône", the smaller the "Petit Rhône". The average annual discharge at Beaucaire is 1,700 m /s (60,000 cu ft/s). The main tributaries of

3471-440: The Lower Valais were ruled as subject lands by the bishop and the Tithings of the Upper Valais until 1798. On 12 March 1529, Valais became an associate member ( Zugewandter Ort ) of the Swiss Confederation . In the early 17th century, the aristocratic governors of the districts in the Upper Valais pressured the prince-bishop of Sion to abdicate secular power, which was achieved temporarily in 1613 and then permanently in 1634, when

3560-471: The Morge and Hermance, the lake is divided by the two countries along its centreline, with the left bank in France. The remainder of the lake is Swiss, including the entire right (north) bank. Here, the tributaries are the Veveyse , the Venoge , the Aubonne , the Morges , among other smaller rivers. Lake Geneva ends in the city of Geneva , where the lake level is controlled by the Le Seujet dam  [ fr ] . The average discharge from Lake Geneva

3649-420: The Po plains to the south by the Valais Alps , respectively north and south of the Rhône. Valais is also one of the three large southern cantons lying partially in the Po basin, therefore south of the Alps, along with Ticino and the Grisons . However, contrary to those two cantons, very few settlements are on the south side of the Alps, and they are all well above the plains. The largest regions not drained by

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3738-421: The Rhône are the Simplon Valley (Po basin) and two uninhabited areas north of the Sanetsch and the Gemmi Pass ( Rhine basin). Valais is the highest canton in terms of absolute, relative, and mean elevation . Therefore, its topography is extremely rugged, with the notable exception of the wide, glacial, Rhône valley. The latter valley dominates the geography of the canton. Many side valleys are branching off

3827-487: The Rhône are, from source to mouth: The Rhône has been an important highway since the times of the Greeks and Romans . It was the main trade route from the Mediterranean to east-central Gaul . As such, it helped convey Greek cultural influences to the western Hallstatt and the later La Tène cultures. Celtic tribes living near the Rhône included the Seduni , Sequani, Segobriges , Allobroges , Segusiavi , Helvetii , Vocontii and Volcae Arecomici . Navigation

3916-407: The Rhône drains via the Canal de Savières . Continuing generally westward, the Rhône then receives the waters of the Valserine , enters the reservoir created by the Génissiat Dam , and is then joined by the Ain . Reaching Lyon , the most populous city on its course, the Rhône receives its biggest tributary, the Saône , with an average flow of 473 m /s (16,700 cu ft/s), compared to

4005-486: The Rhône's 600 m /s (21,000 cu ft/s) at this point. From this confluence, the Rhône follows a southward course. Along the Rhône Valley, it is joined on the right (western) bank by the rivers Eyrieux , Ardèche , Cèze , and Gardon coming from the Cévennes mountains ; and on the left bank by the rivers Isère , (with an average discharge of 333 m /s (11,800 cu ft/s)), Drôme , Ouvèze , and Durance (188 m /s (6,600 cu ft/s)) from

4094-403: The Swiss Plateau across the Bernese Alps , via Spiez in the canton of Bern, through the high-elevation Lötschberg Tunnel . In 2007, the importance of that axis was further increased with the opening of the low-elevation Lötschberg Base Tunnel , the first high-speed railway connecting Valais to Bern, following essentially the same route, but at the level of the plains. The Lötschberg Base Tunnel

4183-430: The adjective derived from the river is rhodanien , as in le sillon rhodanien (literally "the furrow of the Rhône"), which is the name of the long, straight Saône and Rhône river valleys, a deep cleft running due south to the Mediterranean and separating the Alps from the Massif Central . Before railroads and highways were developed, the Rhône was an important inland trade and transportation route, connecting

4272-584: The austerity of ancestral mores, its customs, its naive legends, its rustic costumes, everything that today constitutes its character and originality. Many monuments dot the Valais landscape. The best known are the Valère Basilica , where the oldest organ in the world still playable is found, and the territorial Abbey of Saint-Maurice , which dates from the 6th century. Valais has several castles of historical importance, frequently built in formerly strategic locations: Tourbillon Castle , Saint-Maurice Castle , Stockalper Palace , La Bâtiaz Castle , Majorie Castle ,

4361-403: The canton is 5,224 square kilometres (2,017 sq mi) and only about half of the total area is considered productive. Valais shares borders with four other cantons: to the north are the cantons of Vaud and Bern and to the east are the cantons of Uri and Ticino . The canton shares international borders as well: to the south are the Italian regions of Aosta Valley and Piedmont and to

4450-447: The canton within the Alps helped Valais develop a culture that is distinct from that of the cantons of the Swiss Plateau and the northern Alpine foothills. As a bilingual canton, Valais itself includes some cultural diversity as well. The most common denominator is a strong mountain culture, symbolized by the archetypal tenacious and austere mountain dweller facing the difficult conditions and dangers of nature. The people of Valais, from

4539-425: The canton. Valais counts more than 120 winter and summer destinations, including: The Matterhorn near Zermatt is one of the biggest tourist attractions in the Swiss mountains, as is its sister valley immediately east Saas Fee . Other parts of the mountains of the canton further west are popular as well, such as the more French-speaking resorts near Verbier and the Evolene and Arolla region. The resorts on

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4628-443: The cities of Arles , Avignon , Valence , Vienne and Lyon to the Mediterranean ports of Fos-sur-Mer , Marseille and Sète . Travelling down the Rhône by barge would take three weeks. By motorized vessel, the trip now takes only three days. The Rhône is classified as a Class V waterway for the 325 km-long (202-mile) section from the mouth of the Saône at Lyon to the sea at Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône . Upstream from Lyon,

4717-405: The country became the federal Republic of the Seven Tithings under the rule of a Landeshauptmann . The republic in its original form existed until 1798, when the districts of the Lower Valais, until then ruled as subjects, successfully revolted against the Seven Tithings and achieved equal status within the republic. During the French invasion of the Swiss Confederacy in the same year, Valais

4806-402: The country's total hydroelectric production (20% if the Upper Rhône schemes are added). There have been significant benefits for agriculture throughout the Rhône valley. With the Lower Rhône project completed, CNR turned its attention to the Haut-Rhône (Upper Rhône), and built four hydropower dams in the 1980s: Sault-Brénaz, Brégnier-Cordon, Belley-Brens and Chautagne. It also drew up plans for

4895-485: The episcopal Leuk Castle etc. Amongst religious buildings are several churches that present quality architecture, in particular, those due to the architect Ulrich Ruffiner (16th century) who left many buildings between Sion and the Goms valley : Saint-Théodule church in Sion, the church of Raron and church of Ernen . In the valley of Goms, are also several notable baroque churches. Contemporary religious architecture has also given rise to interesting buildings, such as

4984-585: The high-capacity Rhine-Rhône Waterway, along the route of the existing Canal du Rhône au Rhin , but this project was abandoned in 1997. In the period from 2005 to 2010, navigation locks of small barge dimensions (40 by 6 m) were built to bypass the last two, forming a navigable waterway network with Lake Bourget, through the Canal de Savières . Cities and towns along the Rhône include: Upper Valais Valais ( UK : / ˈ v æ l eɪ / VAL -ay , US : / v æ ˈ l eɪ / val- AY ; French: [valɛ] ), more formally,

5073-407: The highlights of competitions such as Tour de Suisse and the Rallye International du Valais . For a list of high-elevation paved roads, see list of highest paved roads in Switzerland . Because of tourism, there are many railways and cable cars in the mountains. Railways serving side valleys are the Aigle–Ollon–Monthey–Champéry railway , the Martigny–Orsières Railway (notably serving Verbier ),

5162-412: The historical region of Chablais . It then enters Lake Geneva near Le Bouveret , where the water flows west. On the left (south) bank of Lake Geneva, the river Morge joins at the village of Saint-Gingolph , and also marks the French-Swiss border. Westward, the Dranse (unrelated to the Drance) enters the lake with its preserved delta , and then the Hermance marks another French-Swiss border. Between

5251-441: The kingdom of Jurane Burgundy . Valais formed part of the kingdom of Transjurane Burgundy, which fell to the Holy Roman Empire in 1032. It became part of the duchy of Burgundia Minor, which was held by the emperors by the house of Zähringen (which became extinct in 1218). In 999, King Rudolph III of Burgundy gave all temporal rights and privileges to the Bishop of Sion , who was later styled praefect and count of Valais and

5340-433: The large glaciers of the massifs of Monte Rosa , Dom , and Grand Combin , but also from the steeper slopes of the Bernese Alps to the north, and the Mont Blanc massif to the west. As a result, the Rhône Valley experiences a drier climate than the rest of Switzerland , being sheltered by the three highest ranges of the Alps, making Valais the driest and largest wine region of the country. At Martigny, where it receives

5429-403: The late 19th century. In 1878, the Simplon Railway connected Brig , the last town before the Simplon Pass , from Lausanne and Geneva and other major cities of the Swiss Plateau . Valais is the third largest canton of Switzerland by area. It is also one of its westernmost and southernmost cantons while being adjacent to central Switzerland. With a few exceptions, it lies almost entirely in

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5518-419: The linguistic border of the canton being at Pfynwald, between the two latter regions. While the more populous Lower and Central Valais are French-speaking , Upper Valais is German-speaking . The Rhône Valley is a central Alpine valley, i.e. it lies well within the Alps and is shut off from both northern and southern plains. Valais is separated from the Swiss Plateau to the north by the Bernese Alps and from

5607-439: The lords of Raron, those of La Tour-Châtillon, and the counts of Visp. About the middle of the 13th century, the large communities (Zenden or tithings ) began to develop independence and grow in power. The name Zenden or tithings probably came from a very ancient division of the bishop's manors for administrative and judicial purposes. In the same century the upper part of the valley was colonized by Germans from Hasli ( de ) in

5696-403: The main valley, often perpendicularly. These vary from narrow and remote to reasonably populous. On the south side of the Rhône, in the Valais Alps, some of the largest side valleys are (from east to west): the Mattertal (including the Saastal), the Val d'Anniviers , the Val d'Hérens , the Val de Bagnes and the Val d'Entremont . On the north of the Rhône, in the Bernese Alps, the Lötschental

5785-431: The most industrial region of the canton is called Chablais . The area is very important for the economy. The lands from Lake Geneva to the town of St-Maurice are located in the Chablais. There are a lot of factories, the most important are the subsidiaries of Novartis and Syngenta , in Monthey . In the town of Collombey-Muraz , there is an oil refinery . The Lonza Group has large factories in Visp. Near Visp there

5874-402: The mountains and dairy farming in the plains. The canton is notable for its cheese and dried meat production. The Hérens cattle are also used in organised cow fights. Europe's tallest gravity dam is located at Grande Dixence in the canton, closely followed by the Mauvoisin Dam . Hydroelectric power plants from the canton produce about a quarter of Swiss electricity. The west part and

5963-416: The north side of the main Rhône valley are popular, looking out southwards towards the Peninne Alps and still part of the southern slope of the Bernese Alps, such as the family-oriented resort of Crans-Montana . The resorts in the Goms (district) are slightly less known, yet also receive attention during the summer hiking season and the winter ski season. The only natural low-elevation access to Valais

6052-530: The outbreak of the Burgundian Wars in 1475, the bishop of Sion and the Zenden made a treaty with Bern. In November of the same year, they seized all Lower or Savoyard Valais up to Martigny. In March 1476, after the victory of Grandson , they advanced and captured St Maurice, Évian , Thonon and Monthey . They had to give up the last three districts in 1477 but won them again in 1536. In the treaty of Thonon in 1569, Monthey, Val-d'llliez, and Le Bouveret were permanently annexed to Valais. These conquered districts in

6141-438: The reconstructed Gaulish name is masculine, as is French le Rhône . This form survives in the Spanish/Portuguese and Italian namesakes, el/o Ródano and il Rodano , respectively. German has adopted the French name but given it the feminine gender, die Rhone . The original German adoption of the Latin name was also masculine, der Rotten ; it survives only in the Upper Valais ( dialectal Rottu ). In French,

6230-622: The rest of Switzerland, such as cactuses. On the lower south-facing slopes of the Bernese Alps, numerous vineyards are cultivated, between Fully and Leuk. Unlike in the rest of the country, irrigated agriculture is common in Valais. The canton is renowned for its numerous towns and villages in the high Alps. In the Mattertal and adjoining Saastal are Zermatt and Saas Fee . Other popular resorts are Verbier , Les Marécottes , Champéry , Grimentz , Zinal , Anzère , Crans-Montana , Evolène , Leukerbad and Fiesch . All of them are tourist destination in both summer and winter seasons. The area of

6319-417: The river divides into the Great Rhône (French: le Grand Rhône ) and the Little Rhône ( le Petit Rhône ). The resulting delta forms the Camargue region. The river's source is the Rhône Glacier , at the east edge of the Swiss canton of Valais . The glacier is part of the Saint-Gotthard Massif , which gives rise to three other major rivers: the Reuss , Rhine and Ticino . The Rhône is, with

6408-508: The riverside towns and land from flooding. Some progress was made in deepening the navigation channel and constructing scouring walls, but World War II brought such work to a halt. In 1942, following the collapse of Vichy France , Italian military forces occupied southeastern France up to the eastern banks of the Rhône, as part of the Italian Fascist regime's expansionist agenda. In 1948, the French government started construction of

6497-483: The shores of Lake Geneva. The main valley is bounded by the Bernese Alps in the north and the Valais Alps in the south, both ranges including numerous over 4,000 metre-high mountains, which are the highest in the country. Notables mountains include Monte Rosa (highest), reaching 4,634 metres (15,203 ft), and the Finsteraarhorn (most prominent), reaching 4,274 metres (14,022 ft). Other iconic mountains are

6586-677: The south side of Lake Geneva, from the French border, is only a highway and the historical Tonkin Railway , now operating in Valais only. The canton is surrounded by high mountains, but some major mountain passes connect it with the rest of Europe. The main road passes are the Grimsel (towards the canton of Bern and the Swiss Plateau ), the Furka (Uri), the Nufenen (Ticino), the Simplon and

6675-419: The south-facing slopes overlooking the Rhône Valley, where they have become an integral part of the landscape. The wine industry of the canton is the largest in Switzerland. There are also a large number orchards in the area, among which are apricot trees. The apricot has become the emblematic fruit of the canton. In Mund , saffron is also gathered. Agriculture in Valais also consists of cattle breeding in

6764-416: The stretch below the last lock at Vallabrègues and in the relatively narrow first diversion canal south of Lyon. The 12 locks are operated daily from 5:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. All operation is centrally controlled from one control centre at Châteauneuf. Commercial barges may navigate during the night hours by authorisation. The Rhône begins as the meltwater of the Rhône Glacier in Valais , in

6853-628: The three large southern Alpine cantons, along with Ticino and the Grisons , which encompass a vast diversity of ecosystems. It is a bilingual canton, French and German being its two official languages. Traditionally, the canton is divided into Lower, Central, and Upper Valais, the latter region constituting the German-speaking minority. Valais is essentially coextensive with the valley of the Rhône from its headwaters to Lake Geneva , separating

6942-637: The upper Rhône valley Vallis Poenina . The Vallis Poenina was conquered by the Romans after the Battle of Octodurus (now known as Martigny ) in 57 BC and became part of the Gallo-Roman cultural sphere. According to a tradition that can be traced back to the middle of the 8th century, the Theban legion was martyred at Agaunum (now Saint Maurice ) about 285 or 302. From 888 onwards the lands were part of

7031-475: The upper river used barques du Rhône , sailing barges, 30 by 3.5 metres (98 by 11 ft), with a 75-tonne (165,000 lb) capacity. As many as 50 to 80 horses were employed to haul trains of five to seven craft upstream. Goods would be transshipped at Arles into 23-metre (75 ft) sailing barges called allèges d'Arles for the final run down to the Mediterranean. The first experimental steam boat

7120-430: The valley which bears its name and runs initially in a westerly direction about thirty kilometers to Leuk , then southwest about fifty kilometers to Martigny . Down as far as Brig , the Rhône is a torrent; it then becomes a great mountain river running southwest through a glacial valley. Between Brig and Martigny , it collects waters mostly from the valleys of the Pennine Alps to the south, whose rivers originate from

7209-472: The valley. In 1375–76, Zenden forces defeated the army of the house of La Tour-Chatillon, and in 1388 routed the forces of the bishop, the count, and his nobles at Visp. The German-speaking Zenden spread further into the valley. Starting in 1384 the Morge stream (a little below Sion) was recognized as the boundary between Savoyard, French-speaking Lower Valais and German-speaking episcopal Upper Valais. During

7298-476: The warlike races that originally inhabited it, are strong and vigorous; they were able, with their remarkable endurance, to make the most of natural resources, the possession of which today assures them an honorable place as much as they deserve among the other better-off peoples of ancient Helvetia. Through its economic development and its commendable progress in all areas of human activity, Valais, faithful to its traditions as well as to its faith, has managed to keep

7387-473: The waters of the Drance on its left bank, the Rhône makes a sharp turn towards the north. Heading toward Lake Geneva ( French : Le Léman ), the valley narrows near Saint-Maurice , a feature that has long given the Rhône valley strategic importance for the control of the Alpine passes. The Rhône then marks the boundary between the cantons of Valais (left bank) and Vaud (right bank), separating two parts of

7476-399: The west is the French region of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes . Valais is divided into 13 districts, with the district of Raron being further divided into two half-districts. The districts are listed here in geographical order: Upper Valais: Central Valais: Lower Valais: There are 122 municipalities in the canton (as of January 2021). The western part of Valais (Central and Lower Valais)

7565-659: The works of the Genevan architect Jean-Marie Ellenberger (1913-1988) in Sierre (Sainte-Croix church) or Verbier. In the civil architecture, two hospices, each located at one of the passes leading to Italy, formerly provided food for pilgrims who went to Rome and travelers in general: the Great St. Bernard Hospice and the Simplon Hospice . There are also interesting Roman remains, such as the amphitheater in Martigny. Sion

7654-433: Was built at Lyon by Jouffroy d'Abbans in 1783. Regular services were not started until 1829 and they continued until 1952. Steam passenger vessels 80 to 100 metres (260–330 ft) long made up to 20 km/h (11 kn) and could do the downstream run from Lyon to Arles in a day. Cargo was hauled in bateau-anguilles , boats 157 by 6.35 metres (515.1 by 20.8 ft) with paddle wheels amidships, and bateaux crabes ,

7743-404: Was difficult, as the river suffered from fierce currents, shallows, floods in spring and early summer when the ice was melting, and droughts in late summer. Until the 19th century, passengers travelled in coches d'eau (water coaches) drawn by men or horses, or under sail. Most travelled with a painted cross covered with religious symbols as protection against the hazards of the journey. Trade on

7832-706: Was incorporated into the Helvetic Republic until 1802 when it became the separate Rhodanic Republic . In 1810, the Rhodanic Republic was annexed by the First French Empire as the departement of Simplon . The department was occupied by Austrian troops in late 1813; on 4 August 1815, Valais finally entered the Swiss Confederation as a canton. In 1845, Valais joined the Catholic separatist league ( Sonderbund ) which led to what

7921-490: Was the longest land tunnel in the world when opened, finally opening up Valais to northern Switzerland. The summit railway, through the historical tunnel, is still used for regional traffic and car transportation across the Lötschberg. The old train line is popular for its highly scenic sections in both cantons on either side of the old tunnel. Another railway axis connects Valais with central and eastern Switzerland. This

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