hermitage of Notre-Dame du Scex

The Hermitage of Notre-Dame du Scex in Saint-Maurice is a small chapel with an adjoining hermitage, tucked into a sheer rock face above the town in the Swiss canton of Valais. It sits roughly 90 metres above the Rhône valley and looks down on the rooftops, the abbey and the narrow gap between the mountains. Locals also know it as Notre-Dame du Rocher.

What is this place and how did it start?

Tradition links the sanctuary to Saint Amatus (Amé), a monk of the Abbey of Saint-Maurice who is said to have left the community in the early 7th century to live in a cleft of the cliff, dedicating it to the Virgin. Excavations during the 1958–1959 restoration found the foundations of an earlier chapel, probably from the late 8th century. The present building grew through successive enlargements, and sources disagree on whether its main structure is 17th or 18th century. Hermits lived here over the centuries, and the small hermitage beside the chapel is still sometimes inhabited.

What will you see?

• The chapel built into the rock, with a 13th-century Virgin and Child in the central niche.
• Stained glass and an altar cloth by Albert Chavaz, made in 1959.
• An Art Deco addition from 1940, designed by Alexandre Cingria for the St-Luc and St-Maurice group.
• A statue of Saint Amatus by Roger Gaspoz, installed in 2011 nearby.
• A view over Saint-Maurice and the Rhône valley from the terrace.

The hermitage itself is private and normally closed to visitors. The chapel interior can be seen when the sanctuary is open or on a guided visit arranged through the local tourist office.

How do you get up there?

A steep path climbs about 90 metres of rock, with roughly 480 to 500 steps (sources give different counts). Stations of the Cross line the route, which gives the climb a pilgrimage feel. It starts in central Saint-Maurice near the abbey. Wear sturdy shoes with good grip.

When should you go?

Late spring, summer and early autumn work best. From 1 November to the end of March the tourist office advises against climbing because of a high rockfall risk, and the path is often closed. Check the current status with Saint-Maurice Tourisme before you set out.

FAQ

Is there an entrance fee?

Check entry rules and any fee for guided visits with Saint-Maurice Tourisme before you go.

Can you go inside the hermitage?

No. The hermitage next to the chapel is not open to the public; visitors see the chapel and the viewing terrace.

How long is the climb?

Expect around 480 to 500 steps; allow about an hour for the climb, visit and descent.

Is it suitable for children and older visitors?

The ascent is long and steep, so it needs average fitness. Anyone with knee problems or trouble on stairs may find it hard going.