The Grand Bisse winds its way around Le Châtelard hill and between the cliffs and the sun-kissed steppe. Here, you will make your way through flatter terrain featuring forests, oak groves, spruce and deciduous trees. The 8.6km bisse runs from Icogne to Chermignon-d’en Bas, and acts as a gateway between the different localities of the Louable Contrée. The 6km route between Diogne and Mollens is hillier, covering 175 metres downhill and 100 metres uphill.
Due to the risk of the bisse bursting and leaking water through its wooden gutters, a tunnel had to be built beneath Le Châtelard hill in 1984. Another major refurbishment was carried out in 2011 to restore the bisse’s water supply. The prime contractors for the renovation work – the municipalities of Lens and Icogne – came up with an original idea for sourcing the labour, and called some young Swiss-German students in to help. The students left behind their school benches and grabbed their shovels, pickaxes and wheelbarrows to clear out the old canal bed and refurbish the path. Eagle-eyed observers hiking along the trail might be lucky enough to see a western green lizard in the shadow of a tree stump or a colourful butterfly fluttering over the water.
Above Lens, admire the majestic Christ-Roi (Christ the King) statue, which is visible for miles around. The imposing monument that watches over the Rhône Valley was erected in 1935 by Canon Pierre Gard. This little corner of the country cast its spell on a number of artists who stayed here at the turn of the 20th century. The author Charles-Ferdinand Ramuz wrote several of his novels here, including La Séparation des Races, which takes place in the village. The painter Albert Muret also sang its praises: “... And suddenly there appeared a large village, as if nestled behind its mother’s knees. It was my dear Lens, where I spent so many happy years and had so many loyal and devoted friends”. Below Lens is the village of Flanthey, which is flanked by Vaas and a number of other hamlets. Its château plays host to the “Maison des Cornalins”, where you can sample some noble Cornalin vintages.
To the west, you’ll discover the charming village of Icogne. To the east, the picturesque hamlet of Diogne welcomes you with open arms.
