Marche familiale
This is a grand reunion of all the villages
in the Portes du Soleil to celebrate the formation of the “Haute
Route des Familles” – the original name given to the area. Hundreds
meet at the Col des Portes du Soleil arriving by every mode of transport
imaginable from mountain bike, shank’s pony, horse back, parapente
and 4X4! Due to start at 11h00 on the 11th July 2004.
Swiss National Day
Celebrations for the 1st August start on the 31st July
with a procession through the village; three concerts organised by the
Festival International Folklorique d’Octodure; a huge bonfire and
a “Grand Bal” in the Salle Polyvalente. At 15h00 on the 1st
August, activities will be organised for children and in the evening there
will be a further two “folklorique” concerts by the FIFO; a
firework display and a ball.
Morgins Market
Morgins hosts a traditional market every Saturday from the
17th July – 14th August. In addition to the bric a brac and clothes
stalls, there is a demonstration of cheese making from the specialists
at the Ferrage; wood carving; glass engraving and may other traditional
crafts. Wonderful fruit and veg. stalls with an amazing array of mushrooms
including cepe, morilles and truffes.
Montreux Jazz festival
This famous festival takes place from the 2nd – 17th July and it
is well worth a visit. Even if you can’t get tickets for the main
events the fringe festival is growing in popularity and it is completely
free of charge. There is a decidedly international flavour to the whole
event with an open air market and a huge area dedicated to the sale of
culinary specialities from all over the world. The powerful statue of
Freddy Mercury looking out to the lake oversees all.
Thermal
Baths
Situated at Val d’Illiez approximately 15 minutes from
Morgins, these spa baths provide a perfect way to relax and soothe away
aches and pains. The baths opened in the 1940’s when an earth tremor
revealed a fissure through which warm mineral waters flowed. The entire
Suisse Romande area is renowned for its curative waters – Morgins
in the late 1800’s was a popular destination for people seeking the
benefits of the hot springs – and Val d’Illiez will soon be
a large complex offering apartments and restaurants in addition to the
extended pools, bar and restaurant.
Lavey les Bains, close to the historic town of St Maurice, is an extremely
up market spa complex with saunas, jaccuzis, masseuses, Turkish baths
and three swimming pools with jets and a temperature of between 34 and
36 degrees.
