Fancy an underground adventure as a family? Above the Val d'Anniviers, the La Lée copper mine can be visited with a guide: 500 metres of galleries to explore. On Sundays, children become 'miners for a day' and extract the copper ore themselves.
A real mine to explore
The La Lée copper mine is the only mine in the Val d'Anniviers open to the public. Perched at 1937 metres, above Zinal, it unfolds some 500 metres of galleries that you explore with a guide. The visit (about 45 minutes, small groups) plunges families into the world of the miners of old: the darkness, the rock, the tools, the history of copper. An underground adventure as instructive as it is impressive, to experience as a family in summer.
What your children will discover
Headlamp on, children step into the mountain and discover how copper was extracted. On Sundays, special « family » sessions even let them extract a little ore themselves with the guide: a concrete and unforgettable experience. A visit that awakens curiosity about geology, history and the work of the mountain.
What you do and the atmosphere on site
You reach the mine on foot (allow about 1h30 of walking from the heights), then follow the guided tour through the galleries. The atmosphere is that of a real underground adventure, cool and mysterious. On Sundays, the « miner for a day » session adds the extraction of the ore. The visit is included or reduced with the Pass Anniviers Liberté.
Before you go
- Recommended age: as a family from age 6-7
- Duration: guided tour of about 45 minutes (small groups, max ~15 people)
- « Miner for a day »: family sessions on Sundays (ore extraction)
- Getting there: on foot (~1h30 of walking), above Zinal; departures also from the Grimentz side
- What to bring: warm clothes (it's cool in the mine), good shoes, a lamp
- Price: included / reduced with the Pass Anniviers Liberté; booking recommended
- Best season: summer
Parents' tips
- Wrap the children up well: the temperature is cool underground.
- On Sundays, aim for the « miner for a day » session for the extraction.
- Book ahead (small groups).
- Factor the approach walk into your planning.
- With the Pass Anniviers Liberté, the visit is good value.
Useful information
- Location: La Lée copper mine, above Zinal (Val d'Anniviers)
- Official website: valdanniviers.ch (booking)
- Duration: ~45 min; « miner for a day » on Sundays
- Price: included / reduced with the Pass Anniviers Liberté
- Season: summer
Why we recommend it
Because it's a rare and memorable adventure: exploring a real copper mine with a guide, and even extracting the ore on Sundays. An instructive and impressive underground visit, out of the ordinary, in the heart of the Val d'Anniviers.
In a nutshell
The only copper mine in the Val d'Anniviers open to the public, to explore with a guide; on Sundays, children become 'miners for a day' and extract the ore. An underground family adventure, in summer.
Frequently asked questions
What is the La Lée mine?
What does 'miner for a day' involve?
From what age?
How long does the visit take?
How do you get there?
What should you bring?
Is it included in the Pass Anniviers Liberté?
Michael @ Kidora
Kid Adventure Planner
Location
Grimentz
Valais
Mine de la Lée, au-dessus de Zinal, val d'Anniviers
Contact
WebsiteNearby
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