Plein Coeur de la Vieille Ville de Sion

16/09/2024

🌍 Discover the Majestic Aletsch Glacier! ❄️

Nestled in the heart of the Swiss Alps, the Aletsch Glacier is a true natural wonder and a must-visit destination for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers alike. Here are some fascinating facts about this incredible glacier:

1. Largest Glacier in the Alps: Stretching over 20 kilometers (12.4 miles) and covering an area of 171 square kilometers (66 square miles), the Aletsch Glacier is the largest glacier in the Alps.
2. UNESCO World Heritage Site: Recognized for its outstanding natural beauty and geological significance, the Aletsch Glacier is part of the Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch UNESCO World Heritage Site2.
3. Breathtaking Viewpoints: Enjoy panoramic views from four stunning viewpoints: Hohfluh, Moosfluh, Bettmerhorn, and Eggishorn. Each offers unique perspectives of the glacier’s vast expanse and the surrounding peaks1.
4. Accessible Adventures: Whether you’re into hiking, winter sports, or simply soaking in the serene beauty, the Aletsch Glacier has something for everyone. It’s easily accessible via cable cars and well-marked trails.
5. Rich Biodiversity: The glacier and its surrounding areas are home to a variety of rare plant and animal species, making it a paradise for wildlife enthusiasts.

Why visit the Aletsch Glacier? 🌟
• Unparalleled Natural Beauty: Witness the awe-inspiring ice flows and the majestic peaks of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau.
• Adventure Awaits: From hiking on the glacier to paragliding over it, there’s no shortage of thrilling activities.
• Peaceful Retreat: Escape the crowds and enjoy a tranquil experience in one of Switzerland’s most pristine natural settings.
Pack your bags and get ready to explore the wonders of the Aletsch Glacier! 🏔️✨

Getting there: For Eggishorn you should target the parking of the cable at Fiesch, Fieschertalstrasse 28. It will take you one hour from our apartment.

Cable tickets: you can buy them in Fiesch. The halb tax and the junior cards are valid.

Restauration: Fiescheralp which is the middle station of your route to the viewpoint Eggishorn offers lots of restaurants and hotels. The village is beautiful for a walk and a warm or cold drink depending on the month of your visit.

25/06/2024

A wonderful idea to have a tour during your next stay!

08/06/2024

Family hike Fiesch – Bellwald - Oberwallis

Getting there: You will need 1 hour from the parking of our apartment to get to the parking of the lift of Fiesch.

Parking (not free): Fieschertalstrasse 28, 3984 Fiesch
You can easily parc also a bigger car like a van.

We suggest that you do the hike after taking a very good breakfast.
You can leave the car and walk inside the village of Fiesch, which is very picturesque.
The hiking path starts at the energy station Laufkraftwerk Mubisa and is uphill until you reach the village of Ernen. After that the path is rather flat and easy for the children.
The route has nice views down to the valley of Oberwallis and to Fiesch.
Ernen is proud for the golden winner Patrizia Ku**er and has a nice memorial for her. The connection to the other side is done with a hanging bridge as there were stability problems with the patch connecting Fügangen and Mühlebach.
It was very exciting for our girls to pass this bridge!
It is definitely something that one should consider if he has heightfright.
Once we reached the side of Füngangen we headed to the right to the lift station: Fürgangen-Bellwald Talstation.
There is a lift every 20 minutes, which takes 19 minutes to take you up. You are paying once you go up to Bellwald and you can show your SBB train tickets and other cards (Halb tax etc) in order to get a discount.
The village of Bellwald is a wonderful location at an altitude of around 1600m, car-free and full of wooden challets.
We decided to have our lunch break here and headed to the restaurant of the Hotel Bellwald.
Although we were late the kind waiter promised to serve us lunch. We had a tasty meal with breathtaking views to the mountains with picks over 2000m. The kids plates were very big and generous. Our kids loved it!
We spent lots of time in the village, including the two playgrounds, one close to the municipality house that has a nice trail to play with wooden balls (you will need 2CHF coins!) and a bigger outdoor kinderland close to the lifts of Bellwald.
The village has also a Volg mini market and the Kinderland has a grill station including wood for fire. You can therefore organise also your grill!
Another positive surprise was the Flow Sport shop. We entered in order to get a 2 CHF coin and the owner, Remo, gave us great advise for the hiking shoes. I bought a pair that I tried immediately for the rest of the hike. Very kind and knowledgeable people, with fair prices for the merchandise.

When we got lots of fresh air and nice views we went down again with the lift and took the bus back to Fiesch. The bus end station is at the lifts of Fiesch where we had left our car and it was therefore very convenient.
It was really a wonderful hike and day!



Valais Wallis Patrizia Ku**er Flow - Sport AG

06/06/2024

The new exhibition in the Le Pénitencier, the museum opposite our apartment is starting this Saturday!
Put it in your schedule during your next visit!

31/05/2024

The missing puzzle piece

Our guests will find some nice games to play on a rainy day or in the evening after exploring Valais and wanting to relax in our apartment.

Last year one very kind family wrote us this very thoughtful letter. We knew that they did not lose the piece of the puzzle, as it was missing for a long time.

Some weeks ago we discovered the missing piece in a cupboard of our permanent residence and we brought it with us in Sion, so that the puzzle is again complete.

Dear RangFi and Ken Ken
we want to thank you for writing us and we want to say we are sorry that we made you worried trying to find the missing piece.
You made us feel that kindness goes a long way with your letter.
We will be happy to welcome you again in our apartment if you visit Sion! 😍

25/05/2024

Happy birthday to the mini, cute and sustainable food shop of our neighbourhood!

14/11/2023

Our street is wonderful with the colours of autumn! 🍂
Excellent photo from Lumiere.ch!

Rue des Châteaux 🍂🍁🍂

27/10/2023

Book your stay in the second weekend of November in our apartment and enjoy the free Nuit des Musées / Nacht der Museen - Valais / Wallisof the Musées cantonaux du Valais / Walliser Kantonsmuseen in Sion!

You will find the programme here:

https://online.musees-valais.ch/ndm2023/

15/10/2023

CPPS - Centre Pédagogique Prévention Séisme, Sion
HES-SO Valais Wallis

As we are entering the autumn period, if you are looking for an informative, interactive, indoor activity with your children a visit to the CPPS in Sion will not disappoint you!

Getting there: It is a 20 minutes walk for the guests of our apartment to the Energypolis Campus, close to the main train station of Sion

Opening days for families: every Saturday from 9.00 to 17.00. You will be able to choose 2 workshops that are held in German language or 6 workshops held in French language

After a construction period of two years and an investment of CHF 2.6 millions, this centre opened for the public this April. We were looking forward to try this with our children this October!
You can easily spend 2 hours with your family. You will need though to prebook the time you will go in order to ensure a place in the simulator. The link for buying your ticket is in the first comment below.

The centre is split in 3 areas:

You have the area with 27 interactive activities described in German and in French, while activities with screens provide the possibility of English and Italian. These were extremely fun and informative. We liked a lot the closet where you are asked to scan various items that should be included in the first aid kit or as preparation for a disaster. The staff of the centre helped our children explaining them the use of each item and why it is important!

The area of the simulator. This was built from the students of the university. It includes an all around screen that puts you in the middle of the event that will be simulated and it feels as if you are really there. If your children are not 130 cm they will be asked to sit on the back as it is necessary to be able to put your feet on the floor for the simulator. I have to admit that the experience is very intense and it would be good to have a discussion with your children if they have never felt an earthquake before.

The area for first aid. In this area you will see some videos with what you can do in a moment of disaster and you will be able to see the materials shown and bind a wound or treat a broken foot.

Another interesting point is the screen you will see on the right hand after you enter that shows earthquakes happening all around the world in live time. Depending on the strength of the earthquake there are balls moving and initiating light on the floor, based on how strong the earthquake was.

The area is very clean, with enough space for your jackets and bags before the entrance. The employees were very friendly and engaging with all visitors. They were motivating us to try certain activities or they were providing explanations when we were not sure. We would like to thank them for making this visit memorable.
If there was anything we found missing was instructions as to what to do during an earthquake.

14/10/2023

We loved the market this Friday!
Don't miss the autumn special market next week, Friday 20 October, with extended opening hours from 8.00 to 17.00.
One of the best days to be in Sion!!

12/10/2023

So lucky to be in Sion mid of October and to be able to enjoy the summer weather!
Drinking a cup of tea in front of our main entrance, enjoying the warm afternoon sun!

30/09/2023

Book your stay in our place and enjoy the fest in Martigny this week!

https://foireduvalais.ch/fr

16/09/2023

What a nice recommendation for your next visit!

🍽️ La Terrasse de La Ferme Asile - Lieu magique à Sion 🍷
Entouré de verdure et bercé par le doux murmure de la ville, ce lieu est une véritable oasis urbaine. Venez vivre un moment de détente et de gastronomie au restaurant de la Ferme Asile à Sion et laissez-vous séduire par la magie de sa terrasse.

08/09/2023

There are wonderful hikes and things to see in Valais during the fall season!
Plan your accomodation with us and try these hanging bridges!
We look forward to try these too!

24/08/2023

Golf lovers book your stay in Sion and enjoy this event in the area!!

28/07/2023

If you are a jazz lover check out the dates of SionJazz!

We have still some dates available in the second half of August. Book your stay in our apartment and enjoy the city and the Jazz music vibes!

25/07/2023

Another possibility for a nice breakfast during your stay in our apartment is to head to the open local market on Fridays.

You will find bread, cheese, cold meat and vegetables from local producers, freshly made juices and lots of festive mood!

This Friday 28 July 2023 the Marché de la Vieille Ville de Sion will be open much longer from 8am to 5pm.
You will have lots of time to enjoy all stands!

Our family loves strolling around the market every Friday in Sion.

06/07/2023

Do you want to be in the heart of the PALP festivall? It is coming in the castles of Sion from the 19th to 22nd July with lots of music and good mood!
Book your stay in our apartment and stroll around on foot!

LE FESTIVAL QUI VA CHATOUILLER VOS SENS !

23/06/2023

We continue here with our posts for your breakfast options!

Fromagerie La Grenette

Address : Rue du Grand-Pont 24, 1950 Sion
Open: Mo to Thu 8.30-18.30 / Fr 8.00-18.30 / Sa 8.00-17.00

The cheese shop is under the arch, within the wonderful building La Grenette, which was the former gallery of the municipality.
It belongs now to Ferme-Asile / Centre Artistique et Culturel, an artistic center that promotes arts in Valais.
This cheese shop is a good option if you want to have your breakfast in our apartment and you want to add products from the region.

In the Fromagerie La Grenette you will find milk, cheese, butter from the region, a selection of cold cuts, honey, marmalades, apricot juice of Valais etc
I can tell you it will be hard to choose from this big variety! Ask the kind employees for recommendations.

I think it is also a place to consider for presents from Valais to friends, family or neighbours! What a wonderful idea for saying thank you to those who took care of your plants or pets while you were on vacation!

More information here:
https://www.la-grenette.ch/

19/06/2023

Le Délice du Grand-Pont

Address : Rue du Grand-Pont 42, 1950 Sion
Open : every day / Mon – Fr 6:30 - 18:30/ Sat 7:00 - 17:00/ Sun 7:00 - 18:30

If you want to have tasty bread, croissants and other sweet delicacies head to Le Délice du Grand-Pont! For us this is the best bakery in the city due to the warm-hearted and smiling people running the shop.

There is different variety of products to try every day so you are not going to get bored. The shop offers some tables inside and outside to sit.
It is also a good opportunity to just grab some things of your choice and enjoy the breakfast with a coffee or tea in our apartment.

Please note that payment is possible only with cash or Twint.
There is no debit or credit card payment possibility.

https://www.ledelice-sion.ch/

16/06/2023

Le Café des Châteaux
Café Des Châteaux

Address : Rue des Châteaux 3, 1950 Sion
Open : Thu-Mo 9.00-24.00

If you are up to having a breakfast out, the nearest option, on the same street like our apartment is Le Café des Châteaux, run by our neighbours Simon Marty and Isabelle Schmidt.
This is a very cosy and warm corner for you to enjoy a coffee, a homemade ice tea, a cocktail or a meal during the whole day actually.

The street is car free, in the heart of the old city. Le Café des Châteaux is actually one of the oldest cafés of the city, right next to the beautiful municipality building.
The interior design will make you feel like you are sitting in the living room of your friends, while the shadow of the small street will be much appreciated in the warm summer days, if you take a seat outside!

It is the only place serving brunch during the weekends in the city and it would be advisable to make a reservation for a table in advance. The brunch plates are available from 10.30 to 13.30 and they include various menus or the possibility for you to combine the plates that you want. We liked everything we tried, especially the salmon and the humous, while our girls loved the pancakes!

The owners have done a great job choosing suppliers from the region and creating a cosy place with lots of events for all age groups.

For reservations and more information here is the page of the café:
https://www.cafedeschateaux.ch/

15/06/2023

Breakfast options in Sion

What are the options for breakfast during your next visit in our apartment?

In the kitchen of our apartment you will find a Nespresso coffee machine, a boiler for warm water, coffee capsules, various tea bags, sugar, honey, marmalade, maple syrup and Nutella.

So, it is up to you to decide if you want to add some things from the local market and enjoy your breakfast in the comfortable dining area looking up from the window to the Valère Basilica and the restaurant or if you want to have your breakfast out.

We will be posting in the next days the breakfast options we have checked out so far in Sion and the region, to help you make your choice!!!

Stay tuned!

13/06/2023

Book your stay between 25 July and 9 August in our apartment and next to the wonderful sightseeing possibilities in Sion, you will have the opportunity to enjoy the Bricks Open Air Cinema Sion in the square of Maurice-Zermatten.

Stay tuned for the programme in the next days!!

Every summer day there is a festivity to enjoy in this wonderful city!!

Visitsion

Le programme ? Check www.openaircinemasion.ch 💁🏻‍♀️🔝

13/06/2023

During our last visit in Sion we found so nice messages and drawings from our guests!!!
What a pleasure it is to see that people had a nice time in the region and in our apartment!
Thank you for taking the time to write us your appreciation!
Thank you to our managing company Phoenix, Cédric Suchy and Mary Veyret, for doing such an excellent job with welcoming our guests!!!

06/06/2023

Here is a wonderful video that shows you the museums you could enjoy with your family if you visit us!
All of the museums of Musées cantonaux du Valais / Walliser Kantonsmuseen are on the same street as our apartment!

We love strolling through the exhibitions whenever we visit!

05/06/2023

A wonderful collection of picture perfect spots in Valais/Wallis!
As the snow melts in summer you can do unique visits like: Furkapass, Grande Dixence etc.
Look at our older posts that could help you plan your trip!

02/06/2023

We will be happy to host you in our vacation apartment in the old medieval city of Sion, which is ideal for all four seasons. The spacious apartment can host 2 couples or a bigger family (up to 4 kids).
On the same street you will find 2 castles and 3 museums and right opposite a 14 point Gault Millau restaurant with a wonderful garden, L’Enclos de Valère.
Sion is a lively city with an open market on Fridays, lots of restaurants, an excellent offer of wines, a lake to swim and even a pool to learn surfing. More important Sion is the driest point of Switzerland. With 550mm of rainfall per year it is drier than many Mediterranean areas.
The apartment is an excellent base to explore the canton of Valais, Lac Leman (Montreux, Vevey, Lausanne) and France (Evian, Thonon, Yvoire, Chamonix).
The canton of Valais has 47 peaks higher than 4’000 m, 200 irrigation canals that form 1’800km of hiking paths, thermal baths, roman ruins (Martigny) and exceptional sites like the underground lake Lac Souterrain or the dam of Grande Dixense.
You will find here posts with information about the area and the travel experiences of our family, which is based in Aargau but fell in love with Sion and Valais.
Take a look at the available dates, photos and a detailed list of the amenities on our website.

immo-phoenix.ch/en/rentals/apartment-sion-plein-coeur-de-la-vieille-ville-de-sion-399135.html

In the of the Old Town of Sion

31/05/2023

Exactly opposite from our apartment you can combine a gourmet meal, a glass of Valais wine and a relaxing atmosphere with your partner or friends in the garden of the Restaurant L'Enclos de Valère, that reminds me so much of my home country, Greece.

28/05/2023

Château de Tourbillon
Château de Tourbillon - Sion - Valais

Whether you are a guest of our apartment or a resident of Sion and the greater area, take the opportunity this summer to walk up to Château de Tourbillon, a Swiss heritage site of national significance with 360 degrees views to the Rhone valley. Do not miss the guided tour of Cédric Jossen, who will passionately take you back in time and unfold the history of this castle from the 13th century.

Getting there: the walk from our apartment is 600m. Google maps says you will need 14 minutes to reach the top. Due to the breath-taking views as you are getting higher, we would suggest 20 minutes. In this way you can allow time to take some pictures or to take time to rest, especially if you are together with younger children or older people.
If you are not a guest, you will need about 25 minutes from the nearby Parking de la Cible, which is free on Saturdays (Yes, friends of ours visiting could not believe that there is a public Swiss parking for free on Saturdays. This is really very generous from the city of Sion).

Access: The path up to the castle is rocky and the castle is unfortunately not accessible to people with disability or children in a buggy. We think that the walk is comfortable for children of the age 3 if they like walking and more comfortable from the age 5+.

Opening times and cost: The castle is open from 10.00 to 18.00 in the summer period. Please consult the link below for the other months. The entrance is free of charge.

The Tourbillon Castle was the main residence of the Bishops of Sion, who were also the local rulers. Due to its location in the Rhone valley it had military importance. The views to the Rhone valley and the vineyards that date to the Roman times are breath-taking.
The castle of Valère opposite, served as residence of the cathedral chapter in Sion.
The Tourbillon castle burned three times. As there were no plans or other exhibits showing how the buildings were in detail in the past, it was hard to build the castle again back to its original plan. It is worth to continue your walk through the back door to the lower part of the walls of the castle.

Four guided tours are provided from Cédric Jossen in English, German or French every day during the summer period. Cédric will take you to spaces that are not open to the public without the tour guide, so it is totally worth to target your visit around the guided tour times.
Cédric will explain in a passionate way the use of each building, how the castle developed over the centuries, food/water supplies, communication with the rest of the castles etc. We cannot thank him enough for making this tour so lively and interesting for our children aged 7, 10 and 11, who were talking for many days about all the things they learnt about this castle.

Restauration: A kiosk is open during the summer period (not all days) at the Maurice-Zermatten Square, where the walking path ends. You can get there water, refreshments, small snacks (their humous is delicious) or an ice cream!

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27/05/2023

20km queue before the Gotthardtunnel?

2 hours of waiting to pass the security control in the airport of Zurich?

If you are tired of all of these, book your stay in our apartment in Sion this summer! Enjoy the different possibilities of coming to Sion!

You can choose the routes:

-Zurich, Interlaken, Spiez, train Kandersteg - Lötschberg, Sion
Wonderful views of Brienzersee and Thunersee, exciting to get the car on the train, especially if you have younger children

- Zurich - Andermatt, you turn right before the queues of Gotthard and you take the train Realp -Oberwald or even better you drive over Furkapass so that you can see all the valley of the Rhone river, which is one of the most picturesque drives we have done so far on our way to Sion

- you can head from Zurich to Spiez and drive via the Natural Parc of Gruyère Pays-d'Enhaut to Aigle and then to Sion

- highway 1 to Bern and then highway 12 to Fribourg, Vevey, Montreux, Sion. This is for sure the fastest route!



Visitsion