Aug '07
23

Bisses

This story was posted under the categories: Stories


Bisse de SaxonI had never heared of Bisses and thought it simply meant “kiss” in French. But appearantly, Bisses are also walking roads, found in a certain part of Switzerland, more commonly known as the Valais.

In the 1600′s multiple waterways were made to collect the water that’s flowing from the mountains and use it to irrigate the lands around it. These aquaducts were either dug out in the ground, created by steel tubes or even suspended above the ground. Nowadays, there aren’t used anymore but make up for excellent walking trails.

If you’re ever in the region of Veysonnaz, Siviez or Sion, try out the Bisse de Chirvé and Bisse de Saxon which give you incredible views and sometimes even make you a bit dizzy from the height!

 p1000280.JPGBisse de ChivréBisse Vieux

  • fryklund

    They are more than paths; they are water ways, usually accompanied by a path. The entire Rhone valley has glacial run-off controlled by these bisses at highr altitudes. These have been in existence since Roman times and are still important to many farm areas. Guy Bratt has studied these and written an excellent little book on the subject:

    The Bisses of the Valais ISBN 09524984 0 5

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