| The
truth of the channels origin is somewhat
obscure, but it seems to have bean built in the
14th century. For a longtime there have been
many suppositions about it's rerouting, however
traces have been found that situate it's site of
origin at the torrent of Pinsec. |
| The channel was
abandoned sometime around 1830 for reasons
unknow. According to some, an accident that
potentially could have cost the lives of
numerous people from Chalais to Vercorin who
were in charge of maintenance work, could have
been reason for it's closure. More realistically
the upkeed of the channels would have been much
too expensive and complicated. With time the
channels were forgotten. Left for more then a
century a large part of it's origin was lost in
the country side. Other then a few citations in
local history books, only the elderly evoked
it's memory in conversation; so the channel
became almost legendary. |
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| The
project of restoring the Sarrasins channels
slowly came to Stephane Albasini. This
exceptionel patrimonial objective deserved to be
valued, and put into public light. Several month
of work were necessary to once again render the
site accessible by foot to permit it to be
visited.
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Discover
it's Heritage
The
Sarrasins channel is an excellent destination
for you outdoor excursion, giving you the
opportunity to get to know an emblematic and
historic part of the Valais. By walking the
length of the channel you will discover three
openings of distinct eras, representative of
this collection; the Sarrasins channel, The
Briey Channel, The Riccard channel, it's the
tour of the three channels! |
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A
superb example of technical audacity is the
Sarrasins channel. Even through carved stone, it
crosses two dizzying cliffs on it's route. You
will discover the remarkable "savoir
faire" the visionaries and workers proved
to have considering the rudimentary means they
had in that era.
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| Afterwards,
you will continue through the forest to the
Niouc bridge, where you will discover another
example of ingeniousness. Built 1922, the Spider
bridge is 220 meters long, and goes over the
Navizence gorges. It serves as a dam for the
Briey channel, which provides water to the
plateau that shares its name. There more
surprises await you! |
| First,
you'll live through intense emotions while
crossing the navizance gorges up high on the
Spider bridge. Then from the bridge there is a
dizzying descent while attached to a rope that
will get you to the Navizence bed. After that,
180 meters lower where you'll take the Riccard
channel to reach the "côteaux de Chalais". |
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Useful
Information
The
tour of the three channels goes all year long,
but is subject to the weather. The best time of
year to discover the channels is from April to
the end November. Reservations are obligatoy,
and the minimum number of participants is three.
Childrens 8 years and over are welcome. The
equipment ( helmet, safety harness, cross-belt)
are all provided by Stephane Albasini.
Prices for descent from Vercorin to Chalais is
60 CHF for children 16 years and under, or 120
CHF for adults. Included in the cost is the
gondola ride to return form Chalais to Vercorin,
the accompaniment of a tour guide, ready-for-use
material, the crossing of the Spider bridge with
the flying fox to descend to Navizence. |
Family Rate:
As of the 4th person free. |
Group Rate:
Price depending on the amount of participants. |
