This Village You Likely Haven't Heard Of Is Considered One Of Switzerland's Most Beautiful

Tucked away in a majestic Swiss valley called Val d'Anniviers, the small hamlet of Grimentz is probably not on your bucket list. But maybe it should be if your goal is to escape Switzerland's typical tourist spots and enjoy a more authentic cultural experience. Quentin Epiney, the founder of the brokerage FGP Swiss & Alps, told Forbes, "It is a place where you still find true, authentic Swiss-alpine culture, alongside some of the best natural beauty in all of Switzerland."

Grimentz is in southern Switzerland, about a two-hour or less drive from the borders of Italy and France. It is surrounded on all sides by steep, tall mountains whose lower slopes are covered in thick pine forest. Against this stunning and pristine backdrop, the village jumps out like a scene from a fairytale, its narrow cobblestone roads lined by sun-darkened wooden chalets with gabled roofs and flower boxes filled with bright-red geraniums in summer. Strolling these charming streets, you can really appreciate the town's rich heritage, as many of the buildings are centuries old and have been preserved to look just as they did when they were built. 

While visiting Grimentz, walk through the center of the village and enjoy exploring what is essentially a living museum. One of the oldest buildings is the House of the Bourgeoisie, constructed sometime between 1480 and 1550. On a guided tour of this house, you can try the town's exclusive Vin des Glaciers (white glacier wine), which is not sold and can only be tasted in Grimentz. Locals brew these wines in barrels that they never fully drain. Instead, they add newer wine to the older ones to create unique vintages. Besides glacier wine, Europe also has volcanic wine, but you'll need to visit a remote Portuguese island to sample this wine. From glaciers to volcanoes, oenophiles have plenty to explore in Europe. 

Another fascinating stop on a walk through town is the Bread House, where residents used to bake their bread several times per year in a communal oven. Between bread-baking sessions, families would break the rock-hard loaves of bread with an axe and soften them in soup, coffee, or milk before eating. The communal oven is still in use, but not by local families. Instead, it's used for traditional bread-baking classes for visitors, which you can partake in provided you understand a little French.

Unsurprisingly, the mountains around Grimentz are packed with opportunities for outdoor recreation. For a start, the Val d'Anniviers boasts more than 60 miles of hiking trails and biking routes. Some exceptionally beautiful hikes are around Lac de Moiry, a reservoir at the base of a glacier with the same name, located about 6 miles south of Grimentz. There are hikes in this area for all levels, from casual walkers and families with young kids to those embarking on multi-day treks heading deep into the mountains. 

When the snow arrives, Grimentz becomes a winter wonderland, and its popular ski resort bursts into action. One Tripadvisor reviewer described his fabulous experience at the Grimentz Ski Resort: "The ski facilities were truly extraordinary, well groomed as well as great off-piste slopes ... for all levels of skiers." Skiers considering a trip to Grimentz should check out our article on the best time of year to go skiing in Switzerland. Besides skiing and snowboarding, winter visitors can also enjoy the town's toboggan run and its many cross-country skiing trails. Visitors who have had enough of the cold can head to a local restaurant to sample the cuisine. One hearty dish sure to fill you up after a day on the slopes or trails is Raclette, which consists of melted cheese poured over potato slices. The dish is usually served with a hot beverage or a glass of white wine.