On a hot summer’s morning, the sun is shining over Verbier and my dogs are so excited to go for a walk. But where should we go? There are so many options, but today, I’d like to combine my two passions: art and dogs. So, I’ll be taking you to Les Ruinettes on a cultural walk through the 3-D Sculpture Park, with little Cali and the excited Bogota.
The 3-D Park is an exhibition of sculptures by international artists invited by the Verbier 3-D Foundation. Based at an altitude of 2,200m, these pieces created in situ are the results of an artistic reflection combining the environment and materials.
Heading up towards Verbier’s infinite playground
Our walk begins by taking the Barnes line (ten-seater cable car) up to Les Ruinettes. It is advised to keep your dogs on a lead here, as there are both cyclists and other pedestrians around. In order to respect other users, both my dogs lay down on the floor of the cable car where they overlooked the wide alpine mountain range.
Once at Les Ruinettes, we headed towards La Chaux mountain pasture to reach the start of the 3-D Park, indicated by a colourful sign. The sign features the oil on canvas Sans Souci (No Worries) painted by Tessa Perutz during her artist residency in Verbier as a tribute to the familiar Swiss expression. The park has all the ingredients for both families and hikers to enjoy the breathtaking view without too much effort. The easy footpath is accessible for prams and wheelchairs.
A high-altitude art exhibition
Our alpine cultural experience kicks off with a panoramic view of the Bagnes Valley. To the right, multicoloured paragliders take off overlooking Bruson, and to the left, we can already catch a glimpse of some of the region’s iconic peaks.
The sculptures blend in seamlessly with the landscape, so it isn’t always easy to see them, but this just makes the walk even more interesting and fun!
We decided to stay on the mountain pasture path, but the artworks can also be admired from a section of the Bisse du Levron trail.
I stopped at every sculpture to scan the QR code and understand the artist’s thought processes. Some of them are more intriguing than others, and I found that the camouflaging of the artworks in the midst of the mountains and flowers made the walk all the more stimulating and enjoyable.
This open-air art gallery encourages visitors to fully experience the works: you can touch the materials, pass through the sculptures, and even interact with the mobile installations.
Gallery
3-D Parc
The sculptures’ materials and forms are compelling, sometimes made from recycled elements found at the ski resort, but also in terms of their shapes, as well as the locations chosen to exhibit them. I took the time to contemplate the pieces from different angles, and gradually, I’m warming to this entertaining spectacle.
The further we go, the more spectacular the view. The sculptures take root on the mountainside, offering a perfect postcard view of the Combins mountains to round off the walk. In summer, there are benches along the path where you can take a break as well as a couple of natural springs that are perfect for the dogs!
Options for venturing further
Once at La Chaux, my dogs were still full of energy, so I decided to walk back along the same path towards Les Ruinettes. However, there are other available options:
- Take the La Chaux Express (télémix) down to Médran
- Take the cable car up to Les Gentianes or the Mont-Fort
- Keep walking to reach the Cabane du Mont Fort, the Bisse du Levron or Lac des Vaux (not accessible for prams or wheelchairs).
To my surprise, on the way back, I came across new sculptures that I had missed the first time. Additionally, I was lucky enough to witness the installation of a new piece by Rana Begum, inaugurated on 22 July 2024. Every two years, the Verbier 3-D Foundation exhibits a new piece at the 3-D Park to mark the work accomplished during the artists residencies in Verbier.
This walk is a must for everyone! From families with children, the elderly, or, like me, you want to combine a leisurely stroll with your dogs and a cultural experience.
My favourite piece
This piece by Kiki Thompson, an international artist based in Verbier and co-founder of the Verbier 3-D Sculpture Park’s artist residency, was particularly captivating. The sculpture is visually striking, yet the artist mastered the art of immersion. The work’s sinuous curves and charcoal texture – a parallel to the rocks, pine trees and herds of cattle in the background, evoke the continuity of the natural cycle of elements within their environments.
