Bionaz

Access

Introduction

A mountain municipality situated at the head of the Valpelline; it covers a fairly large area (142 square kilometres), but has a very small population spread across several villages. Its history has always been linked to that of the two passes connecting it to the Swiss canton of Valais: the Crête Sèche Pass and the Col Collon. The Salassi and the Romans had already used these passes, but it was from the 14th century onwards that they took on greater importance, namely when the House of Savoy gradually lost their holdings in the Valais, thereby turning Bionaz into a border municipality. This led to a steady stream of more or less lawful trade (salt, tobacco, livestock), accompanied by the stationing of border guards (until 1972).

Description

The second half of the 20th century saw a momentous turning point thanks to the construction of the Place Moulin dam. Designed to harness the waters of the nascent Buthier river for hydroelectric power, it has also proved to be a major tourist attraction, thanks to its enormous dimensions (155 metres high and 680 metres long) and the reservoir, which holds up to 110 million cubic metres of water.
The Bionaz area has been a destination for tourists keen on high-mountain activities since the 19th century, when, to meet the demand, a tiny hotel was established in Prarayer, on the pastures now submerged by the artificial lake. The municipal area boasts numerous famous peaks, shared with the neighbouring valleys and offering wonderful hiking opportunities: the Crête Sèche, Mont Collon, the Pointe de Tsan, the Château des Dames, culminating at the 4,171-metre summit of the Dent d’Hérens.

Information

Area: 142.09 km²
Altitude: 1,600 m
Highest point: Dent d'Herens (4,171 m)
 Population: 233
Name in the local dialect:
Demonym:
Patron saint:
Website:
Webcam:
Neighbouring municipalities: Bagnes, Evolène, Nus, Ollomont, Oyace, Torgnon, Valtournenche, Zermatt
 Villages and hamlets: Balmes, Chamin, Chentre, Chez Badin, Chez Chenoux, Chez les Merloz, Chez Noyer, Clou Neuf, Crêtes, Dzovennoz, La Ferrère, La Léchère, La Quellod, Lexert, Ley, Lo Vianoz, Moulin, Perquis, Places, Plan de Veyne (main village), Pouillayes, Prarayer, Propéraz, Rey, Rû, Vagère
 Mountain pastures: