A marked wine trail runs for six kilometres through vineyards and woodland in Sierre, passing wine-growing villages and exploring aspects of viticulture. Historic buildings, exhibition venues and paths by the water round out the picture of the city.
Experience Winegrowing
Château de Villa is a former patrician house dating from the 17th century. It is home to a wine library and a restaurant serving Valais specialities, including raclette with five different cheeses. The wine library features wines from 110 winegrowers and a selection of 640 Grand Crus; the range and selection may change. The menu may also change.
The Sentier viticole starts at Château de Villa and leads into the vineyards above the Villa district towards St-Ginier. Along the six-kilometre marked route, 80 explanatory panels cover viticulture, landscapes and people. The trail passes between vineyards and woodland, by wine-growing villages and sites related to winemaking techniques. Trail conditions may vary.
The Musée du Vin has two exhibition areas: one at Château de Villa in Sierre and one in the wine-growing village of Salgesch. The Sierre venue presents temporary exhibitions on various aspects of viticulture and wine; the exhibition programme changes. Sierre’s wine scene also includes wine cellars, wine libraries and wine bars, as well as places associated with wine traditions, appellation associations and wine tourism.
History and Culture
Château des Vidômes is the oldest surviving building in Sierre and stands on Rue du Bourg in the historic town centre. Around 1490, Pertemand de Chevron, a representative of the Bishop of Sion, had it built as the residence of the vidomne. This official administered the Church’s estates and dispensed justice. The castle’s ochre-orange colour dates from restorations in the 19th and 20th centuries; it is considered the only coloured castle of its kind in French-speaking Switzerland. The building is inhabited and is not open to the public.
Caves de Courten are located in the basement of Maison de Courten, a prestigious 18th-century building. Today, they serve as a cultural venue for exhibitions, readings, concerts, theatre performances and other forms of contemporary art; the programme changes. Théâtre Les Halles also presents dance, theatre and performance productions. The venue is fully accessible to people with reduced mobility and has on-site parking. Check access details before your visit.
The Fondation Rainer Maria Rilke is housed in Maison Pancrace de Courten, built in 1769. It honours the European poet, who was born in Prague and lived at Château de Muzot in Veyras from 1921 to 1926. The foundation includes a permanent exhibition, archives and a library of around 7,000 titles. The Cistercian monastery of Notre-Dame de Géronde also stands on a hill above the Rhône and invites visitors to learn about its community life.
By the Water and on Two Wheels
Lac de GĂ©ronde lies among hills and vineyards, less than a 12-minute walk from Sierre railway station; walking time may vary depending on the route. Access to the lake and its surroundings is free all year round. You can swim, walk or relax there, although swimming conditions may vary. The seasonal Bains de GĂ©ronde facility adds a swimming pool, a large multi-purpose pool, a play area with water features and a 72-metre slide. It is accessible to people with reduced mobility; check the latest access details before your visit.
For a cycling trip, Au fil de l’eau leads from the town centre past the Petits Lacs and Lac de Géronde to the banks of the Rhône. The Tour des Collines is a cycling treasure hunt starting at the tourist office at Avenue Général Guisan 6. It is free and accessible year-round in suitable weather conditions. The Pouta-Fontana nature reserve is also near Sierre, between Granges and Grône on the left bank of the Rhône. It has an observation centre and educational panels and can be reached by bicycle from Sierre.
Discover more destinations: Chalais Vs, Venthône, Grône, Miège, Vercorin, Icogne, Chandolin, Saint-Jean Vs
For the overview of the wider region: Siders.
