Our Top 10 Excursions in the Grand Saint-Bernard Region: Our Unbiased Ranking

Are you attending a friLingue camp in the Saint-Bernard region and wondering what there really is to do beyond the camp activities? At friLingue, we organise three excursions per week during our camps, so we know the region pretty well. Here are our ten favourite excursions, ranked according to our personal experience. During our camps, we also organise trips to Lausanne, Vevey, Montreux and Sion. The region itself may be relatively small, but it is very well connected, and the possibilities for excursions extend far beyond the valley.

 

10. Barryland – The Museum and Saint Bernard Dogs

 

In Martigny, Barryland invites visitors to discover the fascinating world of Saint Bernard dogs in a unique building shaped like a dog’s paw print, surrounded by 22,000 square metres of green space. These legendary Alpine dogs, bred at the Great Saint Bernard Hospice for centuries, are the stars of the show. The museum features a modern exhibition telling the story of the dogs, their rescue missions and their symbolic role in Switzerland. But the real highlight is, of course, the dogs themselves. Around ten Saint Bernards live in spacious indoor and outdoor areas. Visitors can watch them, and interactive activities are offered at certain times. For children, they are simply irresistible. These gentle giants embody a piece of Alpine history. There is also a restaurant and a shop. Barryland is located in Martigny, right next to the Fondation Gianadda, so you can easily visit both on the same day. A real must when visiting Valais, especially if you love animals and history.

 

 

9. Fondation Gianadda – A World-Renowned Museum

 

The Fondation Pierre Gianadda in Martigny is a cultural must-see. Opened in 1978, it houses a Gallo-Roman museum featuring the famous Great Bronzes of Octodurus, the Roman name for Martigny, an automobile museum with around fifty vehicles dating from 1897 to 1939, including rare Swiss brands, and a sculpture park with around forty works by artists such as Brancusi, Arp, César and Niki de Saint Phalle. What makes the Fondation famous worldwide, however, is its temporary exhibitions. Picasso, Modigliani, Chagall, Schiele, Rembrandt and Van Gogh are just some of the major artists featured in prestigious exhibitions that change several times a year. Children and teenagers enjoy the museum because the exhibitions are engaging, visual and accessible. The Le Patio des Jardins restaurant is a pleasant place to eat after your visit. The Fondation is located in Martigny, around 38 minutes from Liddes, and is also accessible by train. A first-class educational and cultural excursion.

 

 

8. The Champex-Lac Artillery Fort

 

Beneath the Catogne mountain in Champex-Lac, an artillery fort was carved into the mountain between 1940 and 1943. It contains more than 600 metres of underground tunnels, could accommodate around 300 soldiers and included four casemates equipped with cannons. The Swiss Army used the fort until 1988. Today, it is open to visitors. Walking through the concrete tunnels and seeing the cannons, austere dormitories and military installations from that period is a slightly surreal experience. It is dark, cold and thought-provoking. For teenagers, it offers a fascinating insight into Swiss military history. For younger children, it feels like an underground adventure. Champex-Lac is also home to the Flore-Alpe Alpine Botanical Garden, one of the richest and most prestigious Alpine gardens, with more than 4,000 plant species. As both attractions are in Champex-Lac, a visit can easily be combined with time at the lake, ice skating in winter or pedal boating in summer.

 

 

7. The Durnand Gorges – One of the Most Beautiful in Europe

 

The Durnand Gorges were first opened to visitors in 1877 and completely renovated in 1987. Valais.ch ranks them among the ten most beautiful gorges in Europe – perhaps not the most neutral source for such a ranking, but one thing is certain: they are definitely worth visiting! You first follow a picturesque little path lined with blueberries and wild strawberries. Suddenly, the trail turns into a series of wooden walkways attached to the rock face and staircases – 330 steps in total. Beneath your feet, the Durnand torrent rushes, foams and swirls through a succession of fourteen waterfalls, each more impressive than the last. Between the dark cliffs, the sky becomes little more than a narrow blue ribbon. Allow around one hour for the round trip. It is suitable for children aged eight and above, provided they are comfortable with heights. Located in Bovernier, around thirty minutes from Liddes, it is an ideal summer excursion and is generally open from May to October, depending on weather conditions.

 

 

6. Hiking at the Great Saint Bernard Pass

 

At an altitude of 2,473 metres, the Great Saint Bernard Pass is one of the most historic Alpine crossings. Medieval pilgrims crossed it on their way to Rome. Napoleon crossed it with his army. Today, the 11th-century Great Saint Bernard Hospice still welcomes travellers and visitors. The hospice features a museum, a Baroque church and collections dedicated to the natural history of the pass. Saint Bernard dogs also live there, particularly during the summer months. Several hiking routes start from the pass. One of the best known leads to the Lacs de Fenêtre, three Alpine lakes on a flower-filled plateau at around 2,500 metres, offering spectacular views of Mont Blanc and the surrounding peaks. It is a more physically demanding hike, but children who are used to walking in the mountains generally manage it well. This is a proper hike rather than a casual stroll – but the experience is worth every step.

 

 

5. IRTAG – Laser Tag in the Forest

 

IRTAG is laser tag played outdoors in the middle of the forest – a combination of modern technology and the Alpine environment. You are equipped with a laser gun, given a few basic rules and then head into the trees for a strategic team battle with your camp friends. It is fun, requires concentration and encourages teamwork. Children love it because it is different, exciting and full of adrenaline while remaining safe.

 

 

4. Les Marécottes Zoo – The Highest Zoo in Europe

 

Located at an altitude of 1,110 metres in the middle of a larch forest, Les Marécottes is the highest zoo in Europe. That might sound like a small detail, but it means visitors can experience Alpine wildlife in an environment that closely resembles its natural habitat. Wolves, lynx, black bears, deer, marmots, foxes and even ibex live in spacious enclosures designed to recreate their natural surroundings. The lynx Alex and Petruschka are among the stars of the zoo, with their striking eyes and wild appearance. The park covers around 35,000 square metres of natural surroundings. There is a Finnish-Lapland-style restaurant, a pizzeria and picnic areas. Another highlight is the natural swimming pool, carved directly into the rock and heated by solar energy. Open during the summer, it offers the unusual experience of swimming in the mountains with views of the Alps. The zoo is around fifteen minutes by car from Martigny and can also be reached by train. We especially recommend this excursion to anyone who loves animals and nature – and it is one of the places we enjoy taking our camp participants every summer.

 

 

3. Discover Aosta – The Rome of the Alps

 

Technically, Aosta is not in the Saint-Bernard Valley at all – it is in Italy. But it is so close that it has become one of our favourite excursions. Cross the border via the Great Saint Bernard Pass and you arrive in the Aosta Valley. The city itself was founded by the Romans in 25 BC under the name Augusta Praetoria. Two thousand years later, many of its remains are still standing. The Arch of Augustus, built in 25 BC, still rises to a height of 11.5 metres. The Roman Theatre, a masterpiece of provincial Roman architecture, features an impressive 22-metre-high façade with a series of arches. The Cryptoporticus, an underground vaulted gallery, is equally fascinating. There is also the Roman bridge over the Buthier, dating back to the first century. Children love this journey into Roman history. And in the evening? We stop at a small trattoria in the city centre for some authentic Italian pizza. Aosta is around forty minutes from Liddes and makes for an excursion combining culture, history and great food.

 

 

2. The Sentier Suspendu Adventure Park in La Fouly

 

The Val Ferret is a secluded Alpine valley at the far end of the Saint-Bernard region. Deep in the valley, surrounded by larch trees, you will find the Sentier Suspendu de la Fouly adventure park. Since 2011, this treetop park has been delighting visitors looking for a little adrenaline. There are four courses and 48 obstacles, including 13 zip lines. A modern safety system with a Safe Roller and continuous lifeline ensures maximum safety, even as you swing between the trees surrounded by impressive Alpine peaks. The green course is suitable for children from the age of four and offers a stress-free introduction. Those looking for more of a challenge can try the orange, red or black courses. There is also a playground with a slide and climbing wall. La Fouly is around forty minutes from Liddes. It is a beautiful excursion into nature and quickly shows why this valley attracts hikers from all over the world – La Fouly also lies on the famous Tour du Mont Blanc route.

 

 

1. Ice Skating on the Frozen Lake at Champex-Lac

 

We finish with our undisputed favourite. Champex-Lac is an Alpine gem at an altitude of 1,470 metres, often called the “Little Canada of Switzerland” thanks to its forests and wooden chalets. But in winter, the real magic begins when the lake freezes. Gliding across the natural ice with mountains all around you and the silence of the Alps surrounding every movement is an experience you will not forget. Of course, the conditions have to be right. The lake only freezes sufficiently when temperatures are low enough and the ice reaches a thickness of at least ten centimetres. We always check the latest information with the local tourist office before setting off. And in summer? Champex-Lac transforms completely. You can go pedal boating, try stand-up paddleboarding or hike around the lake. It is around thirty minutes from Liddes and remains an unforgettable excursion whatever the season.

 

 

Conclusion

 

So there you have it: our ten favourite excursions in the Saint-Bernard region – the places we especially enjoy visiting with our camp participants. The Saint-Bernard region has retained its authenticity: unspoilt forests, Alpine glaciers, stories dating back to ancient times, legendary dogs, real mountain hikes and fascinating museums. That is what makes this region so special, and why it is worth visiting whatever the season. It is also why we love organising our camps here. Learning a language, improving your skiing or challenging yourself on a mountain hike is even better when you are surrounded by an authentic and vibrant Alpine landscape. See you soon for an adventure in the Saint-Bernard region!