From the castle ruins of Tourbillon and Montorge to the Basilica of Valère, Sion’s history spans many centuries. The city lies in the Rhône Valley and is shaped by distinctive hills that served as observation and defensive sites throughout history. Culture, architecture and routes through the vineyards offer different perspectives on Sion and the Valais.
Castles and architectural history
Tourbillon Castle was built around the turn of the 13th and 14th centuries for Boniface de Challant, a bishop from Savoy. Among the ruins is the well-preserved Chapelle Saint-Georges et Saint-Grat. Its first painted cycle dates from the early 14th century, followed by a second in the mid-15th century. The sequence of these works makes the chapel a place where several stages of its decoration can be traced.
The ruins of Montorge Castle are the remains of a castle built around 1230 by Count Aymon of Savoy. The site offers panoramic views of the surrounding area. Sion has a 7,000-year history; its historical monuments also include sites that are closed to the public. Visitors wishing to explore the historic centre can follow the local tourist office’s Discovery Walk. Guided tours of the old town are available year-round on request and subject to availability.
Valère: basilica and museum
Valère comprises a basilica and the former fortified castle settlement, which is now home to the Valais History Museum. The basilica combines Romanesque sections from the 12th century with an extension in height from the 13th century. Painted decorations date from the 15th century, while the choir stalls and Baroque altars are from the 17th century. It also remains a living place of prayer.
The Valais History Museum is housed in the former canons’ residences in the medieval castle settlement. Its displays take visitors through around 50,000 years of history, from Neanderthal traces to the present day. Around 1,000 objects are housed in the former canons’ residences. In this historic setting, architecture and collections span different periods.
Other museum themes range from art to the natural environments of the Valais. The Valais Art Museum presents the art collection of the State of Valais as well as contemporary art projects specially designed for its historic rooms. The Valais Nature Museum showcases mammals, birds, insects, plants and minerals in the context of the canton’s different natural environments. It was the first museum to devote space to the Anthropocene. The Maison de la nature offers exhibitions and playful educational activities for a wide audience, with a new theme taking centre stage each year.
Wine, trails and city life
The landscape and local produce also come together outdoors. The Bisse de Clavau hiking trail follows a historic route, runs alongside old wooden irrigation channels and passes through a short tunnel. It ends in Sion after 14 kilometres; walking time is approximately three hours and 30 minutes. Check route information before setting out. Along the way, numerous Guérites invite visitors to sample local products; individual stops may not always be available.
The Parcours viticole Sion–Venthône offers another perspective on the region: its third stage runs from Sion to Venthône near Sierre. In the old town, the Sion Wine Tour takes in three historic sites: Place de la Planta, Tour des Sorciers and the Roman baths. It runs year-round from Monday to Saturday by reservation and subject to availability. The visitor offering also includes tastings of Sion wines paired with a selection of Valais cured meats.
Sion is considered a starting point for cycling tours in the Valais and the Rhône Valley, for both families and experienced cyclists. City life includes a weekly market, considered the largest in French-speaking Switzerland, and theatre with a year-round programme. Alongside contemporary and classical plays, there is comedy, dance and performances for young audiences. The programme changes seasonally. Le Spot brings together Théâtre de Valère and Petithéâtre de Sion under a shared artistic structure focused on contemporary creation.
Getting there and planning
Sion is connected to public transport and accessible via the A9 motorway. If travelling by car, it is advisable to check current road conditions before setting off. When planning, you can weigh up historic sights in the city against longer routes in the region: the Bisse de Clavau takes around three hours and 30 minutes to walk, while guided tours of the old town are available on request. This makes it possible to balance culture, wine and outdoor activities according to your interests, without assuming that every activity takes the same amount of time.
Discover more destinations
Discover more destinations: Grimisuat, Veysonnaz, Savièse, Saint-Léonard Vs, Arbaz, Sion, Conthey, Raron.
Back to the main travel overview: Valais.
