Hike around the VillagesAu départ de Nendaz Tourisme, prenez le chemin piéton à côté de la boulangerie «La Nendette» puis, dans le contour de la route principale, suivez la route de l’Antenne.
A la première intersection, descendez le long du chemin des Bornes en direction du vieux village de Haute-Nendaz. Empruntez le passage sous-voie vers l’école puis continuez votre descente en passant devant la Chapelle Saint-Michel, qui date de 1499. Poursuivez sur le chemin Vieux jusqu'au village de Sornard que vous atteignez après avoir croisé la route cantonale une seconde fois.
Le chemin de la Poya prend ensuite le relais. Traversez une troisième et dernière fois la route principale et terminez votre descente à Basse-Nendaz, vers l'église paroissiale, dont vous pouvez visiter la crypte.
Votre balade se poursuit sur le chemin de Sonville situé à quelques mètres du magasin du village. Suivez cette petite route jusque sur les hauts de Basse-Nendaz, puis jusqu'à Saclentse. Cette montée vous prendra une trentaine de minutes. Traversez ce charmant village aux balcons fleuris. Vous pouvez vous y accorder une pause au café restaurant du Sapin Blanc avant de reprendre votre route. Ne manquez pas non plus la chapelle, dédiée à Saint-Joseph.
Poursuivez en suivant la petite route jusqu’au couvert Saint-Joseph, situé dans un virage en épingle. De là, vous rejoignez aisément la station en suivant la route goudronnée et les indications "Haute-Nendaz" sur les panneaux jaunes.Haute-Nendaz Village hiver 2018 (Etienne Bornet)Vieux_village_vue_aérienne_été_2019 (Etienne Bornet)Haute-Nendaz Village Chapelle 2018 (Etienne Bornet)Vieux_village_vue_aérienne_été_2019 (Etienne Bornet)Chapelle St-Michel hiver village 2015 (Etienne Bornet)1342.9664306641The resort of Haute-NendazThe tourist venture began at the end of the 1950s with the construction of the first gondola in 1958 and the first hotels. Since then, the resort of Haute-Nendaz has continued to develop.
Today, in winter, snow sports reign. The vast choice of ski runs, more than 400 kilometres in total, allows both beginners and experienced skiers to enjoy the snowy slopes of the 4 Vallées.
During the summer season, the resort is popular with mountain bikers and hikers. Nendaz benefits from an absolutely unique network of bisses (8 of which 6 are still in water). The paths along them, which are relatively flat, shady and traffic-free, are particularly popular places to walk. In July, Nendaz becomes the capital of the Alphorn, thanks in particular to its international festival.Haute-Nendaz station hiver vue aérienne 2021 (Florian Bouvet-Fournier)Haute-Nendaz Station Hiver 2018 (Etienne Bornet)Haute-Nendaz station_été_vue aérienne_2014 (Matt Wright & Janire Najera)Haute-Nendaz Station Eté 2018 (Sonia Délèze)1255.3305664062Haute-Nendaz VillageThe old village, located just below the main holiday resort, still contains a number of ancient barns and outbuildings. Nestled on the edge of what was once the main street is the Chapel of St Michel. It was built in 1499. It was rebuilt and restored several times, but almost disappeared in the 1960s. A neighbour proposed to buy it to turn it into a pigsty, but thanks to the Service des Monuments Historiques du Canton du Valais, it was saved. The building, as it appears today, dates back to the 18th century. The interior decoration is the work of the painter Charles Frédéric Brun, better known as the 'Déserteur'.
Haute-Nendaz also has its own church. In 1943, the population, tired of going all the way to Basse-Nendaz on Sunday and on every special occasion for mass, decided to build their own church. It took them no less than ten years to complete their project. All the inhabitants of the village participated in the construction during their free time and sometimes even on Sundays. The first services were held in a building without a roof or windows, in winter and summer. Numerous problems delayed the building work, such as army recruitment and the construction of the dams.
In Haute-Nendaz Village, the Maison de la culture (House of Culture), called "Le Nînd'Art" can be found, a 190m2 space dedicated to the culture and heritage of Nendaz. The Nînd'Art proposes throughout the year several exhibitions and activities. A whole collection of photos, videos and testimonies are also presented to the public in a multimedia room.Haute-Nendaz hiver panorama 2017 (Laetitia Scarascia)Vieux village Nendaz grange hiver 2015 (Etienne Bornet)Vieux village Nendaz hiver 2015 (Etienne Bornet)Haute-Nendaz Village Chapelle 2018 (Etienne Bornet)Haute-Nendaz Village Centre 2014 (Yasmine Gaudin)Haute-Nendaz Village Vue 2018 (Etienne Bornet)1250.0960693359St-Michel ChapelNow renovated and maintained, St. Michel Chapel has had its ups and downs over the course of its existence. It was built in 1499 as an engraved wooden panel that can be seen on the left of the nave and which was discovered during a renovation proves. Several times rebuilt and renovated, this chapel almost disappeared in the 1960s. Some inhabitants wanted to demolish it, a neighbour even offered to buy it to turn it into a pigsty. Thanks to the intervention of the Historical Monuments Service of the Canton of Valais and the efforts of some courageous citizens, St. Michael's Chapel was saved.
The building in its present state, in Baroque style, is said to date back to the 18th century. The interior decoration is the work of the painter Charles Frédéric Brun, better known in the region as Le Déserteur. Between 1850 and 1860, the artist painted on the walls of the chapel the various biblical figures as well as the great Christ hanging from the iron bar above the altar. For his work, the Deserter was certainly inspired by the images of the Epiphany.Chapelle St-Michel été 2021 (Florian Bouvet-Fournier)Chapelle St-Michel été 2021 (Florian Bouvet-Fournier)Chapelle St-Michel hiver village 2015 (Etienne Bornet)Chapelle_St-Michel_hiver_2021 (Florian Bouvet-Fournier)Chapelle_St-Michel_été_arrière_2019 (Etienne Bornet)Chapelle St-Michel 2018 (Etienne Bornet)987.0146484375Basse-NendazBasse-Nendaz est reconnaissable grâce à sa grande église blanche. La chapelle primitive qui constitue la partie la plus ancienne de l’édifice tient lieu de nos jours de crypte. Elle se trouve au sous-sol de l’église actuelle. Sa construction remonte à la fin du 9ème – début du 10ème siècle. Elle est restée ensevelie sous les décombres des édifices successifs durant des siècles mais, heureusement, on a découvert ses vestiges lors de la réfection de 1964 à 1967.
Au pied du clocher de l’église se trouve la tombe de Charles-Frédéric Brun, plus connu sous le nom du Déserteur. Ce mystérieux vagabond est arrivé à Nendaz au milieu du 19ème siècle. Il peignait pour les Nendards en échange de leur hospitalité et de leur silence. Qui était-il ? On ne l’a jamais su. On raconte que c'était un soldat qui avait tué son capitaine, qu'il était notaire ou même évêque.
Plus bas, au centre du village, une vieille bâtisse se distingue par ses dimensions et son toit crénelé. Il s’agit de la Majorie. Le bâtiment a été utilisé dès 1668 comme maison forte pour le major de l'époque, avec salle d'audience, prison et salle de torture. On y gardait les condamnés à mort avant de les emmener sur la place des potences vers la chapelle Saint-Sébastien, à la sortie du village.Village Basse-Nendaz été 2021 (Florian Bouvet-Fournier)Village Basse-Nendaz 2018 (Inès Bonvin)Basse-Nendaz printemps 2014 (Etienne Bornet)Basse-Nendaz village hiver 2012 (Arnaud Delhez)Basse-Nendaz hiver village 2015 (Etienne Bornet)1007.0760498047The church of Basse-NendazThe original chapel, the oldest part of the building, now serves as a crypt. It is located in the basement of the present-day church. It was built at the end of the 9th and beginning of the 10th century. It was buried under the rubble of subsequent buildings for centuries, but fortunately its remains were discovered during the reconstruction in 1967.
The most important transformations took place between 1882 and 1885 and gave the building its present form. Old photographs show that the bell tower was located in a corner of the building. It was rebuilt and heightened in 1913.
The most recent work carried out on the church dates back to 2003. Some modifications were made, in particular the rehabilitation of the two side openings in the nave of the choir.
The patron saint of the church of Basse-Nendaz is Saint-Léger.Eglise Basse-Nendaz été 2021 (Florian Bouvet-Fournier)Visite du village été 2021 (Florian Bouvet-Fournier)Eglise Basse-Nendaz été village 2014 (Etienne Bornet)Eglise Basse-Nendaz hiver village 2015 (Etienne Bornet)Basse-Nendaz village hiver 2012 (Arnaud Delhez)Visite du village église été 2021 (Florian Bouvet-Fournier)1208.5166015625SaclentseThe village of Saclentse is located directly above the Printse on its left bank. The small chapel has been there standing since 1922. The bell that was installed in the bell tower of Basse-Nendaz before 1794 now adorns that of the chapel of Saclentse.
Le Sapin Blanc, the only restaurant in the village, offers home-made dishes made entirely from local produce and traditional products.
Close to the village, the Bisse d'en Bas, which is seldom frequented, offers the opportunity to enjoy a quiet stroll. It is the lowest of the bisses on the left bank of the Printse. Still in use today, it irrigates the meadows, the raspberry and strawberry fields of Basse-Nendaz and Saclentse before joining the Printse.Village Saclentse Chapelle 2018 (Inès Bonvin)Saclentse granges 2017 (Inès Bonvin)1205.8356933594The Saclentse ChapelThe parish priest Joseph Fournier is at the origin of the construction project of the chapel of Saclentse.
A bell which was formerly installed in the bell tower of Basse-Nendaz before 1794 now adorns the bell tower of Saclentse.Chapelle de Saclentse 2021 (Florian Bouvet-Fournier)Village Saclentse Chapelle 2018 (Inès Bonvin)1327.59106445311325.24877929691319.90319824221311.59326171881310.32751464841309.62353515621304.64941406251302.84350585941274.88586425781249.44775390621243.44165039061239.89587402341190.21472167971184.72875976561166.92199707031145.34875488281138.23498535161117.27551269531104.11950683591075.29394531251056.54748535161025.6171875994.67071533203995.527282714841006.61517333981009.36877441411028.47521972661065.49572753911073.95043945311094.917968751112.64831542971129.97143554691149.97741699221160.35791015621163.31604003911169.13708496091187.04919433591191.34460449221196.96423339841212.56384277341216.31933593751220.93847656251223.81213378911233.18530273441240.95007324221259.38024902341268.57885742191265.19287109381270.16784667971271.89477539061283.2988281251289.55749511721283.29919433591281.28332519531278.22473144531296.31384277341274.55334472661265.94396972661274.61315917971277.1191406251284.44262695311305.69738769531316.29211425781323.33886718751326.39782714841327.2442626953