Bagnes

Bagnes is a municipality in the canton of Valais in southwestern Switzerland. It sits in the Val de Bagnes, a high Alpine valley in the Valais Alps that runs from Le Châble toward the Grand Combin. The administrative center is Le Châble, and the municipality includes the ski resort of Verbier, a major destination within the Swiss Alps.

Geography: Bagnes spans a wide altitude range, from the valley floor to summits above 4,000 meters. The upper valley houses the Mauvoisin Dam and its reservoir, a key hydroelectric facility. The Dranse de Bagnes river flows through the valley, shaping its landscape and land use.

Economy and transport: Tourism—especially winter sports in Verbier—dominates the local economy, complemented by traditional farming in the lower valley. Bagnes is served by road routes along the valley and by rail connections from Martigny; Le Châble is connected by a lift or cable system to the Verbier ski area, facilitating access to the resort.

History and culture: The Bagnes valley has a long history of settlement and pastoralism. In the 20th century, tourism grew with the development of Verbier as a ski destination, shaping the region’s economy and landscape. The municipality is primarily French-speaking within the bilingual canton of Valais.