FEBRUARY 19, 2025 — A Swiss man has designed a custom flag to reflect the unusual status of his family’s chalet, which historically belonged to the canton of Valais but is officially located in Vaud, Rhône FM reports.
The territorial shift dates back to 1861 when a fixed border was established between the two Swiss cantons.
Valais and Vaud are neighboring cantons in the western part of the country, separated by the Alps. For centuries, the two regions disputed ownership of alpine pastures between the villages of Collonges (Valais) and Lavey (Vaud).
When the final border was drawn, some properties owned by Valaisans—including Robert Mottiez’s chalet—were placed within Vaud’s territory.
Mottiez’s chalet, located in the mountains above Collonges, has been in his family for generations. For over 15 years, he has carefully restored it, unaware that it officially stood outside Valais.
Once he learned of its unusual placement, he decided to create a symbolic flag to acknowledge its dual identity.
The flag is modeled after the Valaisan flag, which features 13 stars, but with a key difference: instead of red, the stars are green to reflect Vaud’s colors.
Now flying against the backdrop of the Dents du Midi mountain range, the flag serves as a tribute to both cantons.
Image: Rhône FM
