|
Choose a place for this activity |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Zinal has been welcoming travellers for more than 150 years. This village is first and foremost a rather unusual place where you have a meeting with yourself. The bygone Anniviards used to stay here with their herds before going up to the alpine pastureland. From the XIXth century, tourists stayed here before ascending the surrounding summits. Zinalinhabitants born in the twenties still remember ladies in evening wear walking along the Navizence banks before retiring to their hotels for the night. |
If one day, one of the many roads leading here, brings you here to us, you will understand why Zinal is a nice memory for so many travellers. In fact it is a resort offering even more than it promises. You can imagine Zinal sleepy, but it offers many activities. You can imagine Zinal alone, but it invites you to visit its surrounding villages of Pralong, Mottec, Ayer, Mission, Cuimey, La Combaz, Les Morands…….
|
|
|
|
|
Zinal, my village ! |
|
Who are the persons living in this village? They are Marie, Germain, Benoît and all the others. They have some faults, that’s normal, even necessary. They keep their heads high, but not because of pride, but simply because God has placed their horizon so high that if they want to see further on, they really need to stand very straight! (Lilyane Melly) |
| To know more... |
|
|
|
|
The council of Ayer |
|
Ayer |
|
The oldest documents show that the council of Ayer has existed since 1327.
Nowdays there are about 4000 people with a slight majority of women who have the rights to the village of Ayer. The council assembly meets each year alternating between Ayer and Mission, the day of the religious festival of Rogations, that’s to say the Monday preceding Ascension day. |
| To know more... |
|
|
|
|
|
Inalpe – Désalpe and cowfights |
|
In Anniviers the cows are queens….or they fight to become queens. They all originating from the Hérens valley. Their fighting and aggressive attitude contributes to maintaining this race of cows and makes them a bit special compared to other bovine races. There are three important events during the year for a cows owner. The ‘inalpe’ (the cows go up to mountain pastures), ‘désalpe’ (the cows come down from the mountain pastures) and the cowfights organised every year in Spring and Autumn. |
| To know more... |
|
|
|
|
Midsummer Fête |
|
At Nava alpine pasture |
|
| The midsummer event at Nava takes place on the day of Assumption, the 15th of August every year. Up on the alpine pastures the parish priest celebrates a mass. He blesses the pastureland and the herd on it as well as all those present. The celebration goes on with the opening of the canteens that provide food and drink and where you can even sing and dance. On this day you can also see the herd of cows which will spend Summer in these pastures. |
|
|
|
|
|
Corpus Domini celebration |
|
In Ayer |
|
Anniviards wear their soldiers' uniforms and women their traditional Anniviers costumes. Inside the church soldiers stand during the mass, then a procession through the village will follow.
Corpus Domini celebration takes place every year, 10 days after Pentecost. It is a typically religious festival. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
