Melt Into Switzerland’s Cheesiest Festival This September

In the quiet village of Le Châble, just down the valley from the glitz of Verbier, a celebration of all things cheese, and particularly Raclette AOP, takes over the streets in one of Switzerland’s most beloved gastronomic and cultural events - Bagnes Capitale de la Raclette, on from the 20–21 September 2025.

This is no modest local market. Over 15,000 cheese lovers and dozens of artisanal producers from the Bagnes and Entremont regions arrive armed with wheels of Raclette aged to perfection - nutty, creamy, and melting into the signature golden ribbons that have made Swiss cheese a legend.

The festival mixes together Alpine heritage, tradition, and storytelling, with the Raclette serving as a kind of edible ambassador.

The true showstopper arrives on Sunday - the Parade of the ‘Reines’, where the horned Hérens cows (icons of Swiss mountain life) march through the village. These black, broad-chested cows are symbols of status, strength, and legacy in the Valais region. Decorated with flowered headdresses and ceremonial bells, their procession down from the alpine pastures is both symbolic and celebratory, marking the shift from summer’s high pastures to the lower winter grounds.

While most visitors come for the cheese, they stay for the atmosphere. There are open-air Raclette grills, cheese pairing workshops, local craft stalls, and even cultural talks on dairy farming and Valaisan folklore.

Getting There

Looking to make a weekend of it? A seven-night stay at A Larze, a cosy guesthouse that blends rustic charm with minimalist Swiss design, is available from £437 total (based on two sharing an economy room, arriving 19 September 2025).

Flights and transfers are not included, but with Geneva just a train ride away, getting there is half the adventure.

For more info visit verbier.ch.