Centred around a 10th-century castle, Monthey is a district capital in the Swiss canton of Valais. It was once ruled by the Counts of Savoy and later became a centre for silk production. It encompasses the town of Monthey and several villages scattered along the border with France.
Things to do in Monthey
One of the area’s most magnificent buildings is the Aigle Castle, which was originally built in the 11th century and has been expanded several times since. Today, it is home to the Musee de la Vigne et du Vin where antique bottles, barrels and decanters are on display, alongside information about the wine-growing heritage of the region.
Monthey is an ideal base for visiting the Mines de Sel de Bex, a labyrinth of salt mining tunnels and caverns that were first excavated in 1684. The experience begins with a multimedia show detailing the history of the mine before a train transports you into its heart. Once there, you’ll have the opportunity to walk around and experience the working conditions of the miners.
Just across the French border is the ski resort of Avoriaz, which forms part of the Portes du Soleil snowsports area. Its first ski lifts were established in the 1930s, although many of the buildings date from the 1960s and were designed in a Le Corbusier-inspired architectural style. There are downhill runs to suit all skill levels, as well as hiking and mountain biking trails to explore in the warmer months.
Getting around Monthey
Monthey is around 20 minutes’ drive from Martigny and 45 minutes from Lausanne. Geneva Airport is 1.5 hours away and has flights to destinations across the globe. Regular trains connect to the Monthey-Ville railway station and travel throughout the district. The centre of Monthey is compact enough to explore on foot.