Musée de Bagnes

About the museum

The Musée de Bagnes goes back to the idea of a "musée éclaté" (a dispersed museum spread across the valley), which the then municipal president Willy Ferrez formulated in 1976. The main building in Le Châble is the former parish house: parts of its walls date from the early 13th century. The building was extended over the centuries and converted into an exhibition venue in 1984. The museums.ch directory lists 1986 as the opening year. The rooms are richly fitted with soapstone stoves.

Each year the museum presents a thematic exhibition, accompanied by a publication. Its collection now comprises more than 10,000 items, assembled over decades by many individuals and associations: portraits by the Bagnarden school of painters of the 18th and 19th centuries, evidence of raclette cheese production, soapstone objects, around 400 cowbells along with tools, objects on natural hazards around the Giétro catastrophe of 1818, around 2,000 textiles from the "Bagnardes Endimanchées" collection, and modern and contemporary art.

The museum includes four "Maisons du Patrimoine" in the valley: the Maison de la Pierre ollaire in Champsec, the Maison des Glaciers in Lourtier, the Forge Oreiller in Villette and the Scie et Moulins in Sarreyer. There are also outposts at the Mauvoisin dam. They are covered by the same ticket.

Highlights

• Annual themed exhibition with publication in the former presbytery
• Collection of more than 10,000 objects, including cowbells, soapstone stoves and costumes
• Portraits by the Bagnarden school of painters
• One ticket for the museum and all Maisons du Patrimoine
• Outposts at the Mauvoisin dam

Founded

1986

Admission & discounts

Admission covers the Musée de Bagnes in Le Châble and all Maisons du Patrimoine. Free with Raiffeisen MemberPlus, the Swiss Museum Pass, ICOM, ICOMOS, Abobo, AG Culturel, VIP Pass and CarteCulture Caritas. A PASS Musée & Patrimoine can be borrowed from the Bagnes library and gives free access to the museum and the Maisons du Patrimoine.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

According to the museum, the historic buildings with small rooms and stairs make visits difficult for people with limited mobility. Videos and audio stations in the Musée de Bagnes are transcribed in writing; exhibition texts are available in English.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

The museum explicitly invites families, groups and schools; children and young people under 18 pay no admission.

Getting there & parking

Address: Chemin de l’Eglise 13, 1934 Le Châble.

Amenities & dining

Bookshop "La Librairie" with the museum's publications (online shop on the website).

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit