Welcome back or welcome to all dear travelers. Are you ready to start a new adventure? Well, today we’re headed to… Sion. What do you think? Can we present it? Let’s do it!
Sion is a Swiss municipality in the canton of Valais, in the district of Sion. The city has incorporated the now suppressed commune of Bramois and that of Les Agettes. The tertiary sector is the main economic sector in Sion, thanks to the presence of the cantonal administration, the Valais parliament and the cantonal court. Tourism is also an important sector both for its historical castles and for its museums and for its historical events and also for its important archaeological discoveries. In addition, Sion is the third largest wine region in Switzerland. This fantastic valley has an airfield for civil and military use, which serves as a base for air rescue missions. The city has also become an important medical site and it is very attentive (in addition to human health) to the health of the environment. In fact, the waste incinerator that the city has a converter that transforms the heat created by combustion into electricity which is then supplied to local municipalities. We conclude the presentation by saying that each family originating in the place is part of the so-called patrician municipality, that has the responsibility for the maintenance of every asset within the boundaries of the municipality.
To know more (what to eat, where to eat, where to have fun, things to visit…) continue to read.
It’s time to get to the heart!
PLACES TO VISIT (MUSEUMS/THEATERS…)
- Cathédrale Notre-Dame du Glarier: this is the largest Catholic church in Sion. Its style is gothic but quite simple with a predominant gray stone composition. Even its wooden entrance door gives a very nice visual impact as well as having a certain artistic value. The cathedral also has a high tower. As for the interiors, they are rich in works of art and various relics.
- Musée d’Art du Valais: it is an art museum located right in the historic center of the city. It consists of two buildings connected by a small courtyard. The external structure is very impressive, as it is made of stone. Before entering a small bow awaits you that you have to cross. The property houses many works by artists from the Valais region, both from the past and from the present. These include collections of landscape-based works, documents, prints, photos, drawings and archives. The museum is also the custodian of an important collection and is also developing its video art collection.
- Musée de la Nature: the museum is located along the Rue Chateau and is housed in the Majorie Castle (part of the Swiss heritage of national importance). It shows the geology, the history of the flora and fauna of the canton with the help of special collections of some animals (insects, birds and mammals such as the “Eischoll wolf”) and fossils and minerals. The museum also addresses the contribution between society and the environment from the Paleolithic to today. All the exhibition halls are built to present different natural environments of the Valais. In 2016 it won the Expo Award.
- Valais History Museum: shows the Valais region in its entirety. It has been crossed and influenced by many cultures and amazing is its history from which you can learn a lot. The museum is immersed in an architectural setting of international fame. It overlooks (perhaps it is more appropriate to say dominates) the city of Sion, in a very high point surrounded by greenery. It borders the imposing Basilica of Valère (which houses an old pipe organ that still works). Together with the Musée d’Art and the Musée de la Nature, it forms the constellation of the cantonal museums of Valais.
- Tourbillon Castle: it is a castle located on the hill of the city, on the opposite side of the Basilica de Valère. It initially served as the residence of the bishops of Sion. The castle is a Swiss heritage site of national significance. Of the castle remain the ruins, it is a bit like an open-air castle. It is accessible only from the east or west and consists of a courtyard protected by the surrounding walls. The castle has a farm, its own chapel and a garrison building (where the military were on lookout). However, there will be paintings imprinted on the rocks. The route is quite easy but there is certainly a lot of walking and climbing! The view is truly amzing and will repay you for everything.
- Maison Supersaxo: it is a museum-house built in the 16th century. It is considered the most beautiful Renaissance house in Valais. Today it is used by the municipality of Sion to hold meetings or even as an office. The Supersaxo house consists of two floors. The ground floor houses a model of the city of Sion. The first floor, on the other hand, consists of the Solives Room, that is the meeting room; while the second floor consists of the so-called Sala Feste. All the rooms are decorated with paintings and furniture.
- Tour des Sorciers: one of the two towers of the city to have survived the time. This has three floors and is surrounded by a moat. At the time being a defensive tower, everything was built in detail even the interior to avoid assaults. Before the revolution there were prisons and torture rooms which were then removed later. Today inside we find exhibitions.
- Maison du diable: this is the house of the devil’s cultural space of the Fellini foundation. It presents itself with various exhibitions relating to the work of Fellini and the movements of the cinema with many photographs. Conferences, screenings and events are organized frequently. It is a fascinating place and world that makes it perfect for lovers and not.
- Cave La Romaine: wine lovers this place is all for you. This is a winery located near Flanthey where you can take a tour (where will be explained the winemaking process and more) and then taste the excellent local wines. Inside you will also find a dining room consisting of sections of a glass floor so you can have a look into the underground cellar.
- Fondation Opale: this is an Aboriginal art museum, located in the proximity to Sion. Inside we find a beautiful art gallery with temporary exhibitions, but not only there are also sculptures. The venue is very modern and also of ecological value with solar panel windows. The beauty around it is astounding. In fact, the museum is surrounded by a lake with a view of mountains and lots of greenery. The building also includes a courtyard, a waterway with sculptures inside and a restaurant. A truly magical place!
We bet that now you already know what’s coming… Yes, it’s time for typical dishes!
- Galette valaisanne: this dish might bring to mind pizza. In any case, this is prepared exclusively with products from the canton. The recipe certified by the Valais brand includes traditional products such as aromatic herbs from the Great St. Bernard, Valais raclette PDO, Valais raw ham IGP and Naters rye flour.
- Valais perch fillets: Valais-certified perch fillets stand out for their firm, melt-in-the-mouth flesh and unique flavor. A special product in terms of quality and freshness.
- Valais dish: this is the iconic dish of Valais. Perfect fot aperitifs. Maybe this is what best sums up the riches of the Valais area. On your plate you will be served a mix of Valais PGI dry meat, Valais PGI raw ham, Valais PGI dried lard, Valais PDO raclette, Valais PDO rye bread and Valais dry sausage.
- Distillate pralines: these are chocolates with a fantastic combination of dark chocolate and Abricotine DOP (apricot brandy from Valais). So tasty.
- Valais fruits are the basic ingredient of many products because they are a true excellence of the region. An example are the legendary fruit paste candies, which certainly will not leave your taste buds indifferent. Do not forget to taste apricot, in all its forms, because it is the real specialty of the place.
Fruit paste candies
WHERE TO EAT (RESTAURANTS/CAFE’…)
Without locals we cannot taste the typical dishes, so we just have to go and look for them.
- La Sitterie: French, Swiss, European cuisine.
- Grand Pont: French, Swiss, European cuisine.
- Au Vieux Valais: Swiss cuisine.
- Restaurant Au Cheval Blanc: French, Swiss, European cuisine.
- La Glaciere: French, Swiss, European cuisine.
- Udrisard Café: Swiss, European cuisine.
- La Regal’ette: French, vegetarian cuisine.
- Café des Châteaux: Wine Bar/Gastropub with European cuisine.
With this we end our journey to Sion. Now we just have to leave for the next Swiss destination.
Let us know your opinions about this place. If you liked it or not, if you’ve been there or you’re going to go there? What you liked the most or least? We’re curious to read your opinions.
A big kiss to everyone.
Thanks for sharing this, enjoyed my read & love the scenery of Lac Souterrain de St Léonard captured as shown here. Miss my travelling around, will can resume anytime soon. cheers, siennylovesdrawing
Hi, we are very happy to read about you appreciation 😀
Lac Souterrain de St Léonard looks so majestic! Thank you for bringing us with you on this journey.
Sharing this post!
It’s our pleasure and our goal to guide you around a new place 🙂
Let’s say that the name of this city only evokes negative things to me, but nothing to do with its beauty and everything that can be visited. Adorable!
It’s sad that you connect the name Sion to something negative into your life… Try to call the city with another name so you don’t associate the two things.
I love how peaceful Sion looks. There’s really something about these small cities or villages that make them so charming.
We can understand what you say because it’s the same for us haha
Thank you for introducing this city to me — I hadn’t heard about this one either. I especially like the list of foods for the area. They look really tasty!
We are here for this too, it’s one of our goals 🙂
When planning to travel, I would pick places that are less touristy. So, Sion is one of those places we would consider.
Sion is the right place for you!
So many good suggestions and Bisse de torrent neuf looks very interesting. Would love to go there and see it myself someday 🙂
Don’t forget to save our guide so you can have it always with you 😉
I’d love to visit the Musée d’Art du Valais… the whole of Sion sounds amazing! Great post.
Even if the city is not so big, it has lots of attractions that tourist love.
Swiss, the peaceful place! I’m jealous of you. Sion will be on my travel bucket list.
It’s so pleasant to stroll around the streets of the city.
Switzerland is one of my favorite countries in the world. Sion looks really inviting, I’d love to visit someday…
We also love Switzerland so much, this country is amazing!!
Ho la casa sul lago di Lugano in Italia, e questa estate spero di fare qualche gita in Svizzera senza andare troppo lontano. Questa tua proposta casca a pennello!
Organizza e vedrei che non te ne pentirai. Non è nemmeno lontana come meta, anzi vicinissima!
I want to go to Lac Souterrain de St Léonard. I would have a blast there!
If you have the possibility to travel here, don’t miss it! It’s awesome 😀
The beautiful place, Switzerland in itself is a lovely country and this particular blog captures the real essence of the place. By the way Sion is also a local area in the city of Mumbai, so I was what curious to read 🙂
Oh thank you very much for the appreciation, kind ❤
Really? We didn’t know that in there is a Sion even in Mumbai… Cool hahaha
Oh my, there is so much history and nature in Sion. Can you swim in the Lac Souterrain de St Léonard?
Activity like swimming and diving are forbidden.
Wow, non sapevo che in Svizzera fosse possibile visitare un lago sotterraneo. Mi sono già andata a vedere quanto dista il Lac Souterrain de St-Léonard: è una visita che vorrei davvero fare!!!
Di sicuro una di quelle esperienze che non dimenticherai mai, assolutamente da fare!
Another beautiful place to be added to the bucket list! I’m actually a fan of less commercialized places with beautiful architecture and rich history. I would love to visit Sion someday. That view at Lac Souterrain de St Léonard is breathtaking!
Less commercialized but not for this with less interesting attractions. Sion is a beautiful discover!!
Switzerland is an interesting country with rich history, there seems like a lot of fun activities to do in Sion, thanks for sharing !
One thing is sure, you can’t get bored here hahaha
Mi piacciono molto i tuoi articoli sulla Svizzera perché mi riportano indietro nel tempo risvegliando molti ricordi.
Ciao Claudia, questo ci fa davvero piacere 🙂 – Amalia
Bellissimo, non la conoscevo affatto. Conto di poterla visitare presto, dopo che ci siamo vaccinati tutti!
La speranza è di poter ritornare a viaggiare in sicurezza come prima e quanto prima.
This place looks lovely to visit. I liked all the clicks and food looks yummy
Sion is a must visit when you visit Switzerland!
Questa parte della Svizzera non la conoscevo affatto ma mi intriga moltissimo, soprattutto il Lago Sotterraneo e la Maison de la Nature, mi salvo l’articolo per ricordarmi il Sion per il futuro!
Grazie per averci aggiunto tra i preferiti, contentissimi di poterti guidare alla scoperta di Sion 😀 😀
Non conosco la città di Sion. Leggendone la descrizione, sono però rimasta molto colpita oltre che dalla sua indubbia bellezza dalla varietà di luoghi dedicati alla cultura. A me piacerebbe molto visitare il museo di storia naturale e la casa dedicata a Fellini.
Come non citare anche il Lac Souterrain di St Leonard: bellissimo ed unico. Assolutamente da visitare.
Maria Domenica
Ci sono dei luoghi che non avresti mai immaginato di trovare in una città meno conosciuta eppure non è così, una piacevolissima scoperta 🙂
Che luogo unico, magico, con una ricca storia e una variegata gastronomia. Se potessi ci andrei anche oggi.
Vero, Sion è un posto che ha il suo fascino e le sue caratteristiche che la rendono una cittadina interessante da visitare.
Non sono mai stata in Svizzera ma muoio dalla voglia di consocere questo posto. Vedo spesso le foto ed è davvero un posto fantastico.
La Svizzera in generale è uno dei paesi più belli che ci sono (sotto diversi punti di vista) e Sion contribuisce al successo del paese.
Grazie per questo articolo così dettagliato, l’ideale per una visita. Non vedo l’ora di vedere il lago sotterraneo, che non sapevo esistesse, tra l’altro.
Grazie a te per averci scelto e per il tempo dedicatoci ❤
Mai stata in Svizzera! Ogni volta che leggo un articolo su un paese che vi fa parte me ne innamoro sempre di più.
Il prossimo viaggio allora potrebbe essere proprio in Svizzera ahahah
Non sono mai stata in questa parte della Svizzera. Mi incanta il Lac Souterrain de St Léonard. Assolutamente da vedere.
La prossima volta che visiterai la Svizzera già sai da dove cominciare l’esplorazione 😉
Ho avuto il piacere di visitare questa città e sono rimasta piacevolmente incantata. Non mi sono fatta mancare ovviamente un giro alla “Cava La Romaine” dove ho passato un bel pomeriggio alla degustazione di tanti vini, ma anche al “Lac Souterrain de St-Léonard” che consiglio vivamente a tutti quanti !!!
Ci fa piacere che anche tu abbia apprezzato la città di Sion. Siamo pienamente in accordo sul fatto di consigliarla a tutti 🙂