Discover Sierre: wine, culture and nature

Sierre’s old town lies on the north bank of the Rhône and is shaped by six hills. Winegrowing and wine, historic buildings, literature and performing arts can all be highlights of a stay, as can trails along the water. The town’s connection with wine is particularly evident at the museum, at Château de Villa and along a marked themed trail.

Wine at the museum, the château and along the trail

The Musée du Vin has two exhibition spaces: one at Château de Villa in Sierre and one in the winegrowing village of Salgesch. The Sierre venue presents temporary exhibitions on different aspects of winegrowing and wine; the exhibitions change over time. It offers a dedicated focus for anyone interested in winegrowing and the many facets of wine.

Château de Villa is a former patrician house dating from the 17th century. It houses a wine bar and a restaurant serving specialities. The restaurant offers Valais specialities, including raclette with five different types of cheese. The wine bar features wines from 110 winegrowers and a selection of 640 Grand Crus; the selection may change.

The marked Sentier viticole begins at Château de Villa and leads into the vineyards above the Villa district towards St-Ginier. The six-kilometre route passes between vines and wooded areas, goes by winegrowing villages and offers insights into winegrowing techniques. Its 80 information panels cover winegrowing, landscapes and the people who live there. Trail conditions may vary.

Historic buildings, literature and performing arts

Château des Vidômes stands on Rue du Bourg in the historic town centre and is considered Sierre’s oldest surviving building. Around 1490, it was built by Pertemand de Chevron, the representative of the Bishop of Sion, as the residence of the vidomne. This official administered church property and dispensed justice. Its ochre-orange colour dates from restorations in the 19th and 20th centuries; it is considered the only château of its kind in French-speaking Switzerland with this colouring. It is inhabited and not open to the public.

The town hall also reflects Sierre’s architectural history: the 17th-century building was formerly Château de la Cour and became the Hôtel de Ville in 1964. Today, the town hall and square form a focal point of public life in Sierre.

The Fondation Rainer Maria Rilke is housed in the 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, a library with around 7,000 titles and archives.

The Caves de Courten are located in the basement of the Maison de Courten, a grand building dating from the 18th century. Today, they serve as a versatile cultural venue for exhibitions, readings, concerts, theatre performances and other forms of contemporary art; the programme changes. Théâtre Les Halles presents innovative dance, theatre and performance productions, with a programme that varies by season. The theatre is fully accessible to people with reduced mobility and has on-site parking. Check the specific access arrangements before your visit.

By the water and on a bike

Lac de Géronde lies among hills and vineyards, less than a 12-minute walk from Sierre railway station. The lake and its surroundings are freely accessible year-round and offer opportunities for swimming, walking and relaxing. Swimming conditions may vary. The seasonal Bains de Géronde outdoor facility includes a swimming pool, a large multipurpose pool, a play area with water features and a 72-metre slide. It is fully accessible to people with reduced mobility.

The Au fil de l’eau cycling route leads from the town centre via the Petits Lacs and Lac de Géronde to the banks of the Rhône. The Tour des Collines is a cycling treasure hunt with a different format: it starts at the tourist office at Avenue Général Guisan 6. The tour is free and accessible year-round, weather permitting.

Near Sierre, the Pouta-Fontana nature reserve lies between Granges and Grône on the left bank of the Rhône. It has an observation centre and educational information panels, and can be reached from Sierre by bike.

Discover more destinations: Ayer, Vercorin, Grône, Miège, Chalais Vs, Veyras, Venthône, Lens

For the main travel overview: Siders.