Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Sights
CHÂTEAU DE TOURBILLON
(Rue des Châteaux; 10am-6pm May-Sep, 11am-5pm mid-Mar-Apr & Oct-mid-Nov)
Lording it over
the fertile Rhône valley from its hilltop perch above Sion, the crumbling remains of this
medieval stronghold, destroyed by fire in 1788, are well worth the stiff trudge for the
postcard views alone - wear solid shoes as the rocky path is decidedly hairy in places.
| Castle
CHÂTEAU DE VALÈRE
(Rue des Châteaux; guided tour adult/child Sfr4/2; 11am, noon, 2pm & 4pm Mon-Sat, 2pm & 4pm Sun
Jun-Sep, 2pm & 4pm Sun Oct-May)
Slung on a hillock across from Château de Tourbillon is this
11th- to 13th-century château that grew up around a fortified basilica. The church interior
reveals beautifully carved choir stalls and a brightly frescoed apse.
| Castle
Activities
What makes trails in this part of the Rhône Valley so unique are the
bisses -
miniature
canals built from the 13th century to irrigate the steeply terraced vineyards and fields.
Best known is the Bisse de Clavau, a 550-year-old irrigation channel that carries water
to the thirsty, sun-drenched vineyards between Sion and St Léonard. Vines, planted on
narrow terraces supported by drystone retaining walls, are devoted to the production of
highly quaffable Valaisian dôle (red) and Fendant (white) wines. Taste them alone or with
lunch at
Le Cube
( 079 566 95 63;
www.verone.ch
; mains without/with wine Sfr25/29, tasting
menu incl wine Sfr69; 5-9pm Fri, 11am-9pm Sat, 11am-6pm Sun May-Oct)
, an old winegrower's
hut once used to store tools and now transformed into a fabulously stylish address in the
vines to wine and dine. The Cube sits on the Bisse de Clavau footpath (7.5km, 2½ hours),
part of the Chemin du Vignoble.
Sleeping & Eating
Food and wine are big reasons to linger. Rue du Grand-Pont, so-called because of the river
that runs beneath its entire length, is peppered with tasty places to eat well and drink fine
Valais wine.
HÔTEL ELITE $$
| Hotel
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