35. Chamoson - St-Pierre-De-Clages

Chamoson stretches over 3,500 hectares of orchards, vineyards, high-altitude chalets, Alpine pastureland and rocks. Its surprisingly diverse landforms stretch from the banks of the Rhone to the summit of the rugged Haut-de-Cry mountain chain.  

Located midway between Sion and Martigny, the commune has a population of 3,400 and groups 6 villages and hamlets: St-Pierre-de-Clages, Chamoson, Grugnay, Les Vérines, Némiaz and Les Mayens-de-Chamoson.

St-Pierre-de-Clages, the cultural village

In the 11^th century, Benedictine monks from the Abbey of Saint-Martin d’Ainay in Lyon settled here and built the Romanesque church that stands today on the village square. This church is built of natural stone and its octagonal tower in the Cluniac style makes it unique in Valais. As for the houses in the old part of the village, they date from the 16^th and 17^th centuries.

Since 1993, St-Pierre-de-Clages has been the Swiss Book Village.  All year round, permanent second-hand booksellers share their passion for reading. Each year, on the last weekend of August, this peaceful village comes to life with its Book Fair.