The mustsees of Champex-Lac

Welcome in
Champex-Lac

Nestled around a magnificent Alpine lake, this village has nurtured a traditionally warm welcome for over a century. The resort is appropriately nicknamed “Switzerland’s little Canada” with its vast forests, lake and traditional wooden chalets.

In summer, there is something for everyone to choose from with a large range of leisure and sports activities – excursions on the lake in a rowing or pedal boat; idling along a bisse (waterway) or more athletic hikes, fishing, etc. And an enchanting visit to the Alpine botanical garden and an introduction to the artillery fort in the bowels of the earth shouldn’t be missed at any price! Like La Fouly, Champex-lac is also an important leg on the Tour du Mont-Blanc, located three-quarters of the way along the route. Beyond the Flore-Alpe botanical garden, Champex-Lac reveals its living treasures in a protected setting: the nationally significant marsh, the Val d’Arpette nature reserve, and the forest reserve that shelters the valley. Here, every corner of the land reminds us that nature is our most precious heritage.

The area has an attractive winter offering: downhill and cross country ski runs, natural skating rink, walk around the lake, groomed snow shoe paths, or walks with the St-Bernard dogs. In addition, the resort is on the Haute Route itinerary which goes from Chamonix to Zermatt and is usually the second stop over on this legendary ski excursion. Champex-Lac in winter has many meanings!

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Champex-Lac located?

Champex-Lac is an alpine village in Valais (Switzerland), part of the municipality of Orsières, nestled around an alpine lake at around 1,500 metres above sea level, at the foot of the Mont-Blanc massif, between the Catogne and the Breya.

Why is Champex-Lac nicknamed “Little Swiss Canada”?

Champex-Lac has cultivated a tradition of warm hospitality for over a century. Its vast forests, alpine lake and traditional wooden chalets have earned it the nickname “Little Swiss Canada”.

What is there to do in Champex-Lac in summer?

In summer, Champex-Lac offers rowing boat, pedal boat and stand-up paddle outings on the lake, gentle walks along an irrigation channel (bisse), fishing and hiking. The village is also home to the Champex marsh, a wetland of national importance, and the Val d’Arpette nature reserve. Like La Fouly, Champex-Lac is a stage on the Tour du Mont-Blanc.

What is there to do in Champex-Lac in winter?

In winter, the Champex-Lac ski area has 15 km of slopes (70% blue, 20% red, 10% black) served by 4 ski lifts, between 1,486 and 2,267 metres altitude. The resort also offers a toboggan run of nearly 6 km from the top of La Breya, cross-country ski trails, a natural ice rink, marked snowshoe trails and a walk around the lake. Champex-Lac is generally the second stop on the Haute Route ski tour between Chamonix and Zermatt.

Can you go ski touring in Champex-Lac?

Yes, Champex-Lac is a popular starting point for ski touring, especially via the Val d’Arpette. Two classic routes: the Col des Écandies (2,796 m), a roughly 3h15 tour with 1,295 m of ascent, and the Cabane du Trient (3,170 m) via the Fenêtre des Chamois, a more demanding route (AD grade) of 6 hours with 1,700 m of ascent. Champex-Lac also lies on the route of the Haute Route ski tour between Chamonix and Zermatt.

What activities are there on the lake at Champex-Lac?

In summer, the Champex lake is ideal for rowing boat, pedal boat and stand-up paddle outings (rentals at the lakeside cabin), as well as fishing. Its shores are home to the Champex marsh, a wetland of national importance: please stay on the marked paths to help preserve this protected area. In winter, when conditions allow, the lake turns into a natural ice rink, and a walk around the lake remains possible throughout the season.

What is the Champex-Lac Artillery Fort?

The Champex-Lac Artillery Fort is an underground military fortress built between 1941 and 1942 to defend the Grand-Saint-Bernard Pass, kept secret until 1999. Modernised to withstand a potential nuclear conflict, it includes more than 600 metres of galleries carved into the mountain and was used by the Swiss army until 1998.

What is the Flore-Alpe Alpine Botanical Garden?

The Flore-Alpe Alpine Botanical Garden, in Champex-Lac, covers more than 6,000 m² at 1,500 metres altitude and brings together around 4,000 plant species, ranging from local flora to varieties from other mountain ranges around the world.