Sion Switzerland - The Town with The Two Castles
Sion Switzerland, the wine town and capital of the Canton of Valais-Wallis offers with the two from the Rhone valley rising cliff bastions an impressive picture. Its Old Town fascinates with a truly French atmosphere. It is also known as the most sun-blessed town of Switzerland. I can testify that because I went to school there for two years. Sion is increasing fast in population mostly because of the excellent weather. The Roman settlement "Sedunum" became the bishop's seat around 580. Sion was founded in the 4th-century and played for a long time an important political and spiritual role to this region. The castle church of Valère maintains one of the oldest functioning organs in the world. This organ is dating back from the late 14th or early 15th-century. 
Driving into Sion, you can recognize the Tourbillon Castle Ruin as well as the Valère Fortress towers from far away which have become the landmarks of the town. There are several museums that are testimony to the historical heritage of the town and the region. Today indeed, Sion Switzerland (or Sitten in German) is a significant economic location with a regional airport. It is ideal for those that fly in directly by private jet to vacation in one of the Valais-Wallis ski resorts. Sion Switzerland is located in the middle of one of the most important wine-growing regions of Switzerland specializing in white wines. There are a number of big wineries, like Charles Bonvin Fils, Robert Gilliard und Provins Valais and others who offer wine tasting tours. Fendant, a particular white wine from the Valais-Wallis is known internationally. In addition to wine, fruits and vegetables that are growing in the Rhone valley are also processed and marketed there. To learn more about the Swiss ski Resorts, click here. The ski resort of Crans-Montana, world famous for skiing and golfing is only 16 km (10 miles) away. Other resorts that offer also fast access from Sion are Verbier, Nendaz, Val d'Hérens, Val d'Anniviers and Veysonnaz. Place of Interest
Grande Dixence Dam The Grande Dixence Dam is 285 meters (935 ft) high and located at the end of the Hérémence Valley. About 3,000 people worked for ten years on the tallest dam in the world. The Canton Valais-Wallis where the dam was built possesses 12% of the total area of Switzerland and has 56% of the glaciers of our country, which means the biggest water power reserve of Europe. Visiting times: Daily guided tours with sound effects in the heart of the dam are offered at 11:30, 13:30, 15:00 and 16:30. In case of particularly heavy demand, extra visits at 14:15 and 15:45 are undertaken. The guided tours last one hour and have a maximum of 40 people per visit. For any information or to book, contact Mrs. Sarah Falcinelli, Tel: 027 328 43 11 Historic Old Town with its Castles Tourbillon Castle
The bold cliff hilltop and the merlon crown of the encirclement walls remind of the cross knight castles at the Mediterranean Sea. The castle was built around 1294 for Bishop Bonifaz de Challant to be able to defend the town against the Savoyer. It served mainly the Bishops, was damaged several times in the 14th and 15th-century and almost totally destroyed by a fire in 1788. Valère Castle The church "Notre Dame" is a significant Romanesque-Gothic historic architectural monument that dates back to the same period. In the apse, there are mural paintings from the 15th-century. A wonderwork in the Valère church is the swallows nest organ from the 14th-century which is still the oldest playable organ in the world. Today the castle building of the hill accommodates the Cantonal Museum for history and ethnography. Among the rest, it issues late-gothic and early medieval ivory work, cult objects, but also objects in connection with the history of the Valais-Wallis. The castle is just an easy 15 minute walk from the town centre. The Cantonal Museum is open from Tue. - Sun. 10:00 - 12:00 and 14:00 - 18:00 Musée cantonal d'histoire et d'etnographie Wine Tasting Tours Switzerland and particularly the Valais-Wallis region have some excellent wines. From the white wines, Fendant, Johannisberg, Muscat, Malvoisie and Petite Arvine are the best known. The best red wines are the Dôle - a bit heavy for my taste, than Gamay, Pinot Noir, Gamaret, Diolinoir, Syrah and the Cornalin. There are various wine cellars in the Sion region that offer wine tasting tours like the wineries Charles Bonvin Fils (027 203 41 31) or Sainte-Anne Héritier et Favre SA (027 322 92 21). To avoid disappointment, you need to reserve ahead of time. Note: I can make a reservation for you at any of the Sion Switzerland wineries if I know at least one week ahead of time before your arrival. Just drop me a line on my Contact form. Subterranean Lake of St-Léonard About 10 km (6 miles) to the east of Sion Switzerland is the biggest subterranean lake in Europe. To enjoy the 300 meter long lake by small boat for a cruise without a lot of other visitors, you should be on site before 9 o'clock. Supersaxo House In the Old Town of Sion Switzerland tucked in an alley off the "Rue Supersaxo" is the Supersaxo House. This lavish residence was built in 1505 by Georges Supersaxo who was local governor at that time. The governor, who competed with the town's Bishop Matthias Schinner, demonstrated herewith the power he possessed and who was actually in charge of the town. Climbing up the Gothic staircase to the inside of the hall on the upper floor, you will see the magnificent carved and painted ceiling. The Best Sion Restaurants
Didier de Courten The Didier de Courten restaurant is located right in the downtown section of Sierre close to the train station and only 20 minutes from Sion Switzerland. The gourmet restaurant seats between 50 and 80 guests. It offers a choice of settings dedicated to the pleasures of fine food and excellent local wines. Expect to see many of the high society and celebrities vacationing in Crans-Montana just above the town of Sierre. Click here to read more about one of the best restaurants in Switzerland.
Jardin Gourmand The dining room is slightly dusty and the winter garden goes directly to the street with traffic rushing by. Nevertheless, the restaurant of Pascal Fantoli is one of the best gastro bars in the town of Sion Switzerland. Pascal Fantoli puts high requirements for his products which he uses generously and combines surprising harmoniously. The prices are good in relation to the quality of the food served. Of course it doesn't get even close to the standards of the restaurant Didier de Courten. But don't let that stop you to try it.
La Sitterie The restaurant La Sitterie is small and simple, but at the same time modern and comfortable. Chef Jacques Bovier cooks menus which fit perfectly to his carefully well-chosen and excellent wines. Here, you can really enjoy in modern ambience one with in intelligence and refinement new interpreted cuisine. Sion Switzerland Hotels Sion Switzerland is only a small town of 27,000 inhabitants and therefore one can't expect any 5-star hotels. It is usually not a town where people stay for longer. The city of Lausanne provides luxury accommodation from where you can undertake day trips to the Valais-Wallis region. Guests would also rather stay at one of the Valais-Wallis ski resorts like Crans-Montana, Verbier or Zermatt. Regardless of that, I can recommend two good 4-star hotels located in Sion Switzerland but all the others are luxury hotels from the Lausanne area only one hour away. Click here to find out more about the beautiful city of Lausanne.
Hôtel Europa The Hôtel Europa is situated on the west side of the town close to the train station. It is a modern hotel for the discerning businessman. It is nothing exceptional, certainly not what
high-end guests are used to. On the lower floor you will find all the conveniences necessary like boutiques, the "Le Grissini" restaurant, newspaper kiosk, and a drugstore. The hotel can also house conferences and seminars for more than 200 people.
Hôtel des Vignes A few kilometers east of Sion Switzerland, you find the Hôtel des Vignes situated in the village of Uvrier. It is a hotel with character flanked by vineyards and total tranquility. The lobby has a fireplace and a fountain and the 33 rooms and 10 suites are decorated in warm peach. It isn't a hotel where you find the high society and for most guests it may be a little too isolated.
Beau-Rivage Palace The Beau-Rivage Palace counts as one of the most beautiful Grand hotel of the Swiss Riviera. This elegant hotel is located in a big park in Ouchy. The rooms, suites and halls are impressive. It was renovated not long ago and a big spa- and wellness center was added. In 2006, the Beau-Rivage Palace was chosen the best hotel of the year in Switzerland. Click here for more on the Beau-Rivage Palace.
Le Mirador Kempinski This hotel is located on a hill between Lausanne and Vevey and provides a panoramic view over the Swiss Riviera and the Alps. What could be better than enjoy the views from the beautiful outdoor swimming pool? The hotel also offers indoor golf, tennis courts and upgraded a new beauty- and health center. Click here to see it. Lausanne-Palace & Spa The Lausanne-Palace & Spa is the guest house for the International Olympic committee. This luxury hotel has improved immensely and is still getting better. They added for example a new indoor swimming pool, new restaurants and a night-club where you hear the sounds of jazz everywhere in the hotel complex. Return from Sion Switzerland to Swiss Cities Return from Sion Switzerland to High End Travel Switzerland Home Page
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Sion Switzerland is the starting point to get to the traditional side valleys and some important ski resorts in the French part of the Valais-Wallis. It has the biggest bus station in Switzerland with countless busses leaving to other towns and to some of the Swiss ski resorts in that area.
The most impressive castle of the Valais-Wallis stands on the Tourbillon, the highest hill of Sion. 
Valère was a vast fortress - mentioned for the first time in 1049 - with a church and several houses within the wall rings. The hill was surrounded on top from military walls from the 12th
and 13th-century.
