Meet the bisse keeper – Christophe Hugenin

Daily maintenance of a fragile ecosystem

The Trient bisse is maintained daily by a team of four guardians, including Christophe Hughenin, who has been involved for the past five years. Between 1 June and 15 September, they walk the entire 3.5 km route every day to ensure it functions properly. “Every day, it is compulsory to walk the whole bisse,” he explains. Their work combines maintenance and monitoring: removing stones, checking the water flow, reinforcing the banks and intervening quickly to prevent damage downstream, particularly on the Forclaz road.

The bisse is a particularly sensitive man-made structure. With a very gentle gradient, averaging 1.5% along the route, the water does not follow its natural course and must be constantly guided. “If it isn’t maintained, it simply can’t work,” Christophe Hughenin summarises. The role of the bisse guardian therefore relies on observation and anticipation: identifying weak points, understanding how the water behaves and intervening before problems become worse. “A bisse guardian must be observant, pay attention to detail and work intelligently with the terrain,” he emphasises.

Respectful and collaborative maintenance methods

Maintenance also includes mowing, which Christophe Hughenin carries out largely with a scythe. This choice helps preserve the roots, which stabilise the banks, and limits the impact on wildlife, particularly frogs. “A strimmer is too aggressive, whereas with a scythe we keep the roots and strengthen the banks,” he explains. Clumps of earth that are sometimes removed are also reused to reinforce certain areas, as part of a sustainable approach adapted to the terrain.

The guardians work in collaboration with the municipalities of Trient and Martigny-Combe, as well as with the Chez Paou association, which takes part in the spring clean-ups. This stage is essential to restore the bisse after winter, following rockfalls and avalanches. The bisse also remains a functional structure: “Originally, it was an irrigation system built by our ancestors,” he recalls. It is still used today, especially during dry periods, to irrigate the municipality of Martigny-Combe and the La Forclaz alpine pasture.

Tourism and awareness-raising

Tourist activity is an important issue. Each year, around 40,000 visitors use this path. Although most behave respectfully, certain actions weaken the structure. “People play with the bisse without always realising how fragile it is,” observes Christophe Hughenin. Moving stones, creating small dams or stepping on the banks with walking poles can disturb the site’s balance, in addition to the natural wear caused by the high number of visitors.

Raising awareness is therefore essential. “Enjoy it, but be aware of your impact and, above all, leave the place as you found it,” he insists. Preserving the bisse means understanding that it is a fragile ecosystem maintained on a daily basis. Behind this shaded, flat walk much appreciated by visitors lies constant work to preserve local heritage.