Monthey’s privileged position on the Rhone between Lac Léman and the mountains attracted Celts and Romans. Today the town is a centre of industry, culture and tourism.

Monthey is the main town in the Chablais region and an important industrial location in Canton Valais. The accent is on the chemical industry, which provides over 2000 jobs.

The cultural heart of the town of approx. 14,200 inhabitants is the Théâtre de Crochetan, which opened in 1989. The circular building with its metal façade is similar in shape to industrial structures in the town. The theatre is a venue for opera, jazz, classical music, dance, theatre performances and variety shows with guest artistes (the theatre has its own company) as well as conferences and festivals.

In the historic part of the town, first documented as Monthey in the 12th century the new castle, the Zeughaus – a former tower from the Middle Ages – and the baroque Chapel of Notre-Dame-du-Pont are worth mentioning. The chapel’s interior has a 15th century rococo altar.

Monthey is situated on the Rhone between Lake Geneva and the pre-Alps of the Valais. The heights around the town are covered with forests of sweet-chestnut and fir trees. Lovely paths lead through the forests up to the mountains (Tour des Dents de Midi). Wonderful views of Lac Léman are to be had from the nearby village of Choëx s/Monthey.

In winter, the Val d’Illiez and the international ski area and hiking region of Porte-du-Soleil.can be reached from Monthey with the Aigle-Ollon-Monthey-Champéry railway (AOMC).

Highlights

• The Dents-du-Midi tour is unique in scenic terms: the 42 km route is covered in 3 to 4 days (overnight accommodation in huts).
• Val d’Illiez with Champéry and Les Crosets: in winter the largest ski area in the Alps, in summer a hiking and biking paradise