Crans Montana isn’t just an Alpine paradise for mountain and leisure fans: it is also a dynamic cultural destination, where there is a dialogue between art, music, heritage and the landscape. The resort offers exhibitions, concerts, meetings and events throughout the year, a combination of contemporary creations, local traditions and international experiences. This wealth of culture reflects Crans Montana's vision: to offer visitors and residents unique experiences, where culture can be experienced to the max in iconic venues or in the open air.
Fondation Opale : a unique centre in Europe
The Fondation Opale in Lens is the only European art centre dedicated to contemporary Aboriginal art. It was founded from a collection of several hundred pieces of art, and offers temporary exhibitions, events and cultural mediation which aims to create a dialogue between ancestral traditions and global contemporary artistic practices. In addition to its exhibition role, the Foundation offers workshops, guided tours and conversations on universal themes, contributing to a broader understanding of cultures and an international outreach to the public
Colombire Hamlet Ecomuseum
Perched at an altitude of 1,850 metres on the Tsittoret ‘bisse’ (irrigation stream), Colombire hamlet offers a glimpse into life in the mountains in days gone by.
Open from May to October and also accessible in winter by prior reservation, the ecomuseum provides visitors with an opportunity to discover mayens (traditional alpine farms), mountain life, pastoral practices and the traditional way of life in times gone by, all in a well-preserved natural setting.
Le Grand‑Lens Museum
Housed in a typical 19th century house, the Grand‑Lens museum offers an authentic immersion into rural life in the region.
Through objects, handcrafted tools, reconstructions of rooms in homes and literary documents, it tells the story of everyday life, local crafts and the inspiration of figures such as Charles Ferdinand Ramuz and Albert Muret. It’s a place where the past is brought to life in a dialogue with our contemporary perspective.
Swiss Model Train Foundation
This unique museum in Switzerland exhibits a spectacular collection tracing 150 years of railway history, with hundreds of meticulously reproduced locomotives and carriages, as well as miniature landscapes inspired by Swiss and international scenery.
More than just a collection, it is a sensory and emotional journey that transports all ages through the evolution of the railways, while awakening curiosity about technical and historical aspects.
Château de Vaas & the Maison des Cornalins
In the heart of the Valais vineyards, Château de Vaas offers an experience which combines architectural history and oenology, with a wine tasting bar offering local grape varieties, notably Cornalin, and wine tasting accompanied by local produce.
This historic place, steeped in charm and tradition, enriches Crans-Montana’s cultural palette by offering an encounter between heritage, wine and conviviality.
Crans-Montana Classics
Crans Montana Classics is a renowned classical music cultural organisation offering concerts, recitals and original events in iconic venues around the resort. Under the artistic direction of Michael Guttman and general management by Isabelle Loretan-Bagnoud, the festival attracts international artists and young talents, offering the public immersive and unique musical experiences.
Ambassadors of Music
Every summer, Crans Montana welcomes young American musicians on a European tour, who perform in free indoor and outdoor concerts, sharing repertoires which range from classical to jazz and gospel. This project promotes cultural exchange and brings American music to life in the heart of the Alps.
Crans-Montana Biennale
The Biennale was established in Crans-Montana in 2019, born from an international initiative that originated in South America, and it has gradually asserted its local artistic identity to become, in 2023, an independent event which is very much rooted in the resort, the Crans-Montana Biennale. A veritable open-air art gallery, it offers cultural trails which are accessible to everyone, featuring contemporary works on permanent or temporary display. These installations invite visitors to immerse themselves in a unique dialogue between art, nature and the Alpine landscape.
Swiss Made Culture
This initiative offers an annual programme of conferences, screenings, debates and meetings highlighting Swiss and international culture. Swiss Made Culture allows visitors and residents of Crans Montana to participate in top-level intellectual and artistic exchanges, a combination of curiosity, knowledge and openness to the world.
Crans Montana successfully combines nature, heritage and artistic creation, offering a coherent and open-minded cultural vision. Whether through its museums, foundations, festivals or exhibitions, the resort offers an accessible and inspiring immersion where all visitors can discover art, music and history in all their different forms.
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