Saint-Maurice
Saint-Maurice is a small historic town in the Swiss canton of Valais, in the Chablais region between the shores of Lake Geneva and the Alpine peaks. Bathed by the Rhône, the town stretches at the foot of a majestic cliff and is a protected site of national importance, known for its abbey with over 1,500 years of uninterrupted prayer and its castle guarding the bridge over the Rhône. The old town of Agaune, rebuilt after a fire in 1693, offers a series of fine civic buildings along the Grand-Rue. The region also includes the picturesque perched village of Mex at 1,118 metres, the regional nature park of the Vallée du Trient, and the Bois-Noir nature reserve. Saint-Maurice is a cultural and religious heritage destination with a lively programme of concerts, theatre and festivals throughout the year.
Summer activities
Saint-Maurice is a hub for outdoor activities in the Valais Chablais. Numerous hikes start from the town and from the perched village of Mex, including the Tour des Dents du Midi, the Tour d'Agaune, the cliff tour of Saint-Maurice and trails through the Bois-Noir nature reserve. The Via Francigena pilgrimage route passes through Saint-Maurice as an official Swiss stage. Cyclists can follow the Route du Rhône, mountain bikers the Alpes de la région du Léman route, and inline skaters the Rhône Skate route. The Bains de Lavey thermal baths, the warmest in Switzerland, and the Salt Mines of Bex are nearby attractions.
Culture and entertainment
Saint-Maurice is a city of art and history with a rich cultural life. The Théâtre du Martolet, the largest performance hall in Valais, hosts a varied programme of music, theatre, dance and variety shows, while the abbey offers a musical programme and guided visits to its heritage site and treasure. The town's calendar is packed with events throughout the year, including the monastic market, the Christmas market, the Fête de la Saint-Maurice procession, the Lumina event and the Nuances Pop festival. Numerous galleries, the Espace parallèle and the médiathèque round out a lively cultural scene.
