Port-Valais
Origin of the name Port-Valais
The name appears in 1180 as « ad porvalesium ». The old German name is « Portwallis ». The municipal coat of arms bears an anchor, reportedly a reference to the name. The origin of the name itself has not yet been explained.[1]
Founding of Port-Valais
The hill of Port-Valais has been inhabited since Roman times. The village grew up around a priory, probably founded by the counts of Geneva: at the beginning of the 12th century they gave it to the Benedictine abbey of Saint-Michel-de-la-Cluse in Piedmont while keeping the advocacy, which later passed to the La Tour de Vevey and then to the House of Savoy. The prior exercised low justice, while high justice belonged to the castellan of Chillon. From the 15th century the hamlet of Port-Valais lost importance to Les Evouettes and to Eydier, which became Le Bouveret in the 16th century and whose port eventually replaced the old silted-up landing place. First a castellany of the governorship of Monthey, then a lordship bought with the priory by the dizains of Valais and administered by Upper Valais men, Port-Valais became a municipality in 1798. It lies on the left bank of the mouth of the Rhône in Lake Geneva and includes Le Bouveret, Les Evouettes and the hamlet of Port-Valais.[1]
History of Port-Valais
1180. First mention, as « ad porvalesium ».[1]
12th century. At the beginning of the century the counts of Geneva probably give the priory to the abbey of Saint-Michel-de-la-Cluse, keeping the advocacy.[1]
1251. The advocacy passes from the La Tour de Vevey to the House of Savoy.[1]
1429. The prior grants the inhabitants a relaxation of mortmain.[1]
1445. The priory church is recorded under the dedication to Saint Michael.[1]
1536. Port-Valais becomes a castellany of the governorship of Monthey, under the sovereignty of the Upper Valais.[1]
1570. The dizains of Valais buy the priory. The church of Saint-Michel becomes a parish church.[1]
1571. Purchase of the castle of Le Bouveret, the first residence of the lords.[1]
1573. The lordship is leased to the Tornéry family of Saint-Gingolph.[1]
1597. Construction of the castle of the Porte du Scex, later the residence of the lords.[1]
1608. Start of the administration of the lordship by Upper Valais men, until 1798.[1]
1798. Port-Valais becomes a municipality.[1]
1853. Opening of a federal customs office at Le Bouveret.[1]
1859. Opening of the railway line to Saint-Maurice, extended to Saint-Gingolph in 1878.[1]
1879. Extension of the Stockalper canal to Le Bouveret.[1]
1922. The church of Le Bouveret, built in 1913, becomes the main church of the parish.[1]
1930. The Aiglon building houses the cantonal institute for the deaf and dumb.[1]
1956. A Benedictine community from Corbières settles at Le Bouveret. It becomes the abbey of Saint-Benoît de Port-Valais.[1]
1975. Opening of a 600-berth harbour, followed by the Rive-Bleue campsite and beach (1976).[1]
1999. Opening of the Aquaparc, after the Swiss Vapeur Parc (1987).[1]
Population of Port-Valais
Sources and references: [1][2]
| 1798 | 231 |
| 1850 | 490 |
| 1900 | 725 |
| 1950 | 1'098 |
| 2000 | 2'364 |
| 2025 | 4'527 |
Historic sites in Port-Valais
Le Bouveret. Formerly Eydier, renamed Le Bouveret in the 16th century. Its port replaced that of Port-Valais. Customs (1853), railway station, harbour complex (1912 and 1920) and hotels made its prosperity in the 19th century. The 600-berth marina dates from 1975.[1]
Abbey of Saint-Benoît de Port-Valais. Benedictine community from Corbières, settled at Le Bouveret in 1956 and raised to an abbey.[1]
Castle of the Porte du Scex. Built in 1597, it became the residence of the lords after the castle of Le Bouveret, bought in 1571. It now stands on the territory of Vouvry.[1][4]
Swiss Vapeur Parc. Park of miniature steam and electric trains opened at Le Bouveret in 1987.[1]
Remains in Port-Valais
Church of Saint-Michel de Port-Valais. Remains of a first church, the priory church from the late 11th or early 12th century. The church is recorded under the dedication to Saint Michael in 1445 and becomes a parish church in 1570.[1]
Hill of Port-Valais. Hill occupied since Roman times, site of the old hamlet of Port-Valais.[1]
Sources
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Port-Valais » (Patrick Maye, version de 2008, remanié le 19.04.2012)
- Office fédéral de la statistique (OFS), STATPOP, chiffres provisoires au 31.12.2025, via citypopulation.de
- geo.admin.ch, recherche de lieux (coordonnées)
- Bibliothèque nationale suisse, HelveticArchives, Archives fédérales des monuments historiques, dossier EAD-167534 « Vouvry, Château de la Porte du Scex »
Localities of the municipality with a page
Other villages near Port-Valais
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