Chippis between the Rhône and cultural heritage

Chippis is a Swiss municipality in the canton of Valais and the district of Sierre. It lies on the left bank of the Rhône. The municipal area includes the village at an altitude of 520 metres and a steep slope between 500 and 1,000 metres. This means the municipality encompasses both a specific riverside location and a significant difference in elevation. Château de Beauregard is part of Chippis’s medieval architectural history, while the Church of Saint-Urbain is part of the town’s religious development. The Pont de fer sur le Rhône is classified as a cultural asset, and the Musée du Vélo is dedicated to cycling.

Château de Beauregard and the Rhône Valley

Château de Beauregard stands on a rocky promontory, overlooking the village of Chippis and commanding the Rhône Valley. Its location and age offer two different points of reference: its relationship to the village and the valley is clear, while its origins are estimated to date to the 12th century based on its architecture. Medieval ruins of Château de Beauregard remain in Chippis. The educational trail to Château de Beauregard starts at a small car park beyond the hairpin bend at the entrance to Niouc. The terrain is steep; precautions are recommended on the trail.

Saint-Urbain: History and Sound

The Chapel of Saint-Urbain dates from 1278. Until 1856, it was a subsidiary church of Chalais, after which it became the parish church. Churches were also built in 1868 and 1923. This sequence distinguishes the chapel’s early date from the later change in its ecclesiastical status and the subsequent construction dates. The bell tower of the Church of Saint-Urbain currently has six bells. Its wooden vault creates exceptional acoustics, which singers and musicians make use of for concerts and recordings.

The Rhône, the Pont de fer and the Navizence

The Pont de fer sur le Rhône in Chippis is classified as a Category B cultural asset in the cantonal inventory as of 2024. The Pont de fer sur le Rhône is classified as a Category B cultural asset in the cantonal inventory as of 2024. A different waterway story concerns the Navizence mountain stream: Chippis lies at a crossing point on the stream. Repeated historical floods, particularly the one in 1834, led to the excavation of the present riverbed. The Rhône forms part of Chippis’s riverside location; the Navizence is associated with the crossing point and the history of its riverbed.

Cycling in Chippis

The Musée du Vélo has a collection of at least 600 bicycles. It also has 2,000 cycling jerseys and hundreds of other cycling-related objects. Alongside the bicycles, the jerseys and additional objects make up further parts of the collection. The Valais Alpine Bike 8 route passes through Chippis and then crosses the Rhône north of the town. This brings together two different connections to cycling: a collection of bicycles and other cycling-related objects, and a specific route through Chippis. Seasonal conditions and access may change; check the current situation before setting out.

Discover more destinations: Chandolin, Crans-Sur-Sierre, Veyras, Saint-Jean Vs, Saint-Luc Vs, Crans-Montana, Sierre, Lens

For the overview of the wider region: Sierre.