Just a stone's throw from the banks of the Rhône, the small lakes of La Corne and La Brèche are popular and easily accessible places to relax, swim and stroll. They are located on the left bank of the river, about halfway between Sion and Sierre.

These small lakes are man-made, created from former gravel pits. Some of their shores have been landscaped and are freely accessible, even if they are partly bordered by the Sierre golf course, which is of course not open to the public. But there are still enough paths and bucolic spots to keep everyone happy!

Over the centuries, the Rhône has carried and deposited phenomenal quantities of alluvium on the Valais plain, and this alluvium has been exploited by gravel pits for the local supply of building materials. This extraction lasted for several decades in the second half of the 20th century, exposing the aquifer and giving rise to around twenty small lakes, including the Corne and Brèche lakes.

Most of the wetlands on the plains have disappeared since 1850, so these lakes have an important ecological role to play in restoring biodiversity. Their waters are very popular with bathers, and the shady lawns around them are ideal for leisure and relaxation. So it's hardly surprising that they've become very popular spots, especially on sunny weekends!

Lac de la Corne (shown here on the map) is the prettiest one, and parking is available nearby. Lac de la Brèche, to the north-east, can be reached by a path running through the forest between two areas occupied by the golf course.

Useful links

Swiss Canton of Valais (iSwitzerland Guide) - Wikipedia