From the Farnham Youth choir singing Bach and Rutter to a concert by Klangform Vienne called "Frankenstein is coming!" cellists playing from the Berlin Philharmonic, to free music being performed in venues and open spaces around Sion, there's a rich … Read More
Picnics, Petit-Trains and an Adventure Park at the Domain des Iles near Sion
The Domaine des Iles is a massive (54 hectares of land) recreational area just on the outskirts of Sion. It's a great place to go to relax with friends or family, and with its lake and lovely old trees providing shade it's also a place to cool off in … Read More
Special Events at Sion’s Castles and Museums Sunday May 19th
On Sunday May 19th it's the day of "Musées et Châteaux en Fête" in Sion. There's a full programme of events planned on this day, from a theatrical performance entitled "Back to the Middle Age" at the Château de Tourbillon (between 14:00 and … Read More
Cow Fighting Final in Sion on 4-5 May
The National cow-fighting Final of the "Hérens" breed of cow will take place on Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th May at the Pra Bardy Arena (this is a site just above Sion). Shuttle buses will be provided on both days to the venue from outside Sion … Read More
Easter Market in Sion – Friday 19th April – Stalls, food and fun!
There will be a big Easter market in the old town of Sion on Easter Friday, the 29th April 2019 from 08:00 - 17:00. Over 200 exhibitors will be present. So, far the weather forecast is looking fine and sunny for Friday so it should be a good day out … Read More
Meet Up event for Sion Carnival – Sat 2nd March 2019
It's Carnival time in Sion! The official programme starts today, the 28th of February. The main parade that winds through the town will take place on Saturday the 2nd March at 14:30. See article here from 2018. Want to meet up with other … Read More
Sion’s February Agenda of Events – From Football to Femmes Fatales
One of Sion's biggest annual events (Carnival) is just around the corner however, there are other events happening in February in and around the town. Sion Tourist Office publishes a printed "Agenda of Events" each month and this can be picked up … Read More
A Patient’s View of the CRR in Sion – from Treatment, to Tailored Gym Programmes
Recovery and Treatment, Movie-nights for patients, Wine with lunch and Lasting friendships. In March 2018, twenty-four-year-old Emma Rietbergen was hit by a motorbike while out on a morning jog in the Philippines. After spending three weeks in a … Read More
The Ski School that Comes to You
Snowpros Ski School. If you are a skier, one of the joys of living in this part of Switzerland is the ability to get to any number of resorts within a 90-minute drive from Sion, Geneva or Lausanne. The Valais and Canton Vaud alone boast some 66 … Read More
Saving lives with Drones – A Start-up flying high in Sion
Saving Lives with a Drone after an Avalanche - Interview with the founders of Nivitec It was their love of the mountains that provided the initial spark of an idea for Vincent Bontempelli and his friend Jonathan Michel. They were attending an … Read More
Valais English Club – Christmas potluck dinner Sat 15th December
There will be a Christmas potluck dinner Meetup on Sat 15th December from 18:00 in Vex near Sion. This event is organised by the Valais English Club. Music, food, and more! For full details, click here. … Read More
Risk in the Mountains. Remnants found in Glaciers – Two Exhibitions in Sion
Mountains, snow and ice form the basis for two exhibitions currently on show in Sion. "Risk" and "Mémoire de Glace" are curated by the Museum of History and Museum of Nature and are on display in the Le Peniticier (the old prison) and Les Arsenaux … Read More
Night of the Museums in Sion – 10th November – Free entry!
On Saturday 10th November it's the "Night of the Museums" in Sion and across the whole of the Valais. Museums in Sion will open late (some until 23:00!) and entry is free. There is a full programme of events planned for this special day - see pdf … Read More
London – on show at the 2018 Foire du Valais
The Foire du Valais is a massive event annual in the canton. This fair (with over 400 exhibitors) is held in Martigny and welcomes over 220,000 visitors each year. The fair began on the 28th September and continues until Sunday 7th October 2018. … Read More
Zermatt or Bust – Walking the Haute Route by the “Grimentz Rambler”
It has been a long-held dream of the “Grimentz Rambler” since her arrival in Switzerland 10 years ago to walk the Haute Route. In 2018, the intense heatwave in Europe and long periods of settled weather meant that the goal of hiking the route … Read More
From Abstracts to Acrylics: Borrowing Art from the Médiathèque in Sion
Did you know that the Médiathèque of the Valais in Sion has art for loan to its registered borrowers? This art loaning system operates in the same way as a book borrowing service: once you have registered and have received your Bibliopass, not … Read More
Pick up a picnic with local Valaisan food
If you fancy an alfresco feast whilst exploring the Valais area, why not pick up a picnic from Sion tourist office? From the 15th May to the 15th September 2018, picnics can be provided to the public (with 24 hours notice). The picnic basket/bag … Read More
Two weeks of Classical Music in Sion – 17 August – 2 September 2018
There's a rich and varied programme of classical music coming up at the Sion Music Festival. This festival, which runs for just over two weeks, includes a grand opening ceremony on the 17th August at the Théâtre de Valère with the performance of … Read More
Cat Empire rock through the rain – Sion sous les étoiles
Music, the Language of us All in Sion There weren't too many stars in the sky on Saturday evening at "Sion sous les étoiles" due to a persistent drizzly rain. Nevertheless, Australian band "The Cat Empire" got the crowd rocking and dancing with a … Read More
“Sion under the Stars” – Sion sous les Etoiles rock Festival 11-15 July
There are lots of festivals coming up in the Sion region over the summer, from a classical music festival in August/September to an Irish music festival also in August. The first of these festivals "Sion under the Stars" will kick off in just under a … Read More
Next Valais English Club Meet Up on 23 June
The next Valais English Club Meet Up will be on Saturday 23rd June 2018 at 18:00 and will take place at Les Iles restaurant. This is an outdoor restaurant right by the water in a green park just on the outskirts of Sion. Photo above - Domaine … Read More
Reduction to Guinness Irish Festival with Passeport Valaisan.
"Passeport Valaisan" are offering a reduction on entry (plus a free Guinness!) to the Guinness Irish Festival which will take place in Sion from the 9th -11th August 2018 making a saving of CHF 17 per person. The festival's line-up includes … Read More
Valaisans reject Sion 2026 Olympic proposal
The results of today's vote (Sunday 10th June) on Sion 2026 are now in. Voters in the Valais have rejected the plan to bring the Winter Olympics to Sion and surrounding regions in eight years time. Read Living in Sion's article from September 2017 … Read More
For Fans of Film – The Fellini Museum in Sion
Permanent and Temporary Exhibitions - special film and gourmet events Just a short walk from Sion's railway station and close to the centre of town, lies the Fellini Foundation Museum situated in the Maison du Diable. This cultural centre was … Read More
Street Artists Festival Sion 1-2 June – Acrobats, puppets, clowns and more
Two days of fun in the heart of Sion's old town. Whether you are a family with children, or you are simply a big kid at heart, the 20th Sion Street Artists Festival should amuse all ages. From the 1st -2nd June there will be all kinds of … Read More
Neighbour’s Day in Sion – Friday 25th May 2018
It’s the annual “Neighbours’ Day" in Sion on Friday 25th May 2018. This day is organised by both neighbours and organisations themselves so take a look out in your neighbourhood for the La Fête des Voisins posters to see if there is an event going on … Read More
Cow fights and Cycle races – A busy weekend in the Val d’Hérens
The Val d'Hérens was busy last Saturday (28th April) with the sound of helicopters, cars and bikes following the cyclists in the Tour de Romandie race as it wove its way up from Sion through the Rhone valley with a climb up to the village of Nax, … Read More
The Old Town of Sion in the Sun
Sion is a riot of colour at the moment and the current warm weather has brought lots of trees and flowers into bloom. The painted balconies, shutters and doors are all looking lovely and the sun and blue sky add a Mediterranean feel to the place! If … Read More
Free Entry to Museums in Sion – First Sunday of the Month
Museums in Sion can be visited free of cost on the first Sunday of every month. The next free admission day will be Sunday 6th May 2018. Some museums offer a guided tour with commentary (in French) on these days. More information on all three of the … Read More
The Thermal Baths at Brigerbad – Warm waters and a Warm welcome
The Thermal Baths at Brigerbad by the Grimentz Rambler When Living in Sion commissioned me to test out the thermal baths at Brigerbad—a place I’ve never visited in my 10 years of living in Switzerland—I jumped at the chance. After a brief exchange … Read More
Photos from Sion Carnival 2018
There were some weird and wonderful costumes at Sion carnival this year, from families dressed as dalmatians, to gun-toting gangsters as part of the official parade, to members of the public all dressed up in funky wigs and clothes. Confetti lined … Read More
Sion Carnival! – Costumes, confetti and celebrations.
Carnival begins in Sion on 8th February. Big parade on Saturday 10th. The costumes and confetti are in the shops, the posters are around the town and the tents have been assembled in the main square, all in readiness for Sion Carnival which begins … Read More
Discover Sion wines at the Verre à Pied – Open every day including Sundays
Try Sion wines at the Verre à Pied - Tasting menus, wine tours and more! In French, “Verre à pied” translates as a wine glass, but in Sion’s case, it refers to a wine cellar-bar-cum shop situated right in the heart of the old town. This wine bar … Read More
Snow-Shoe meet up 14th January/ Apéro and English conversation – Friday Jan 19th in Sion
There are two Meet-Up group events taking place in the Sion area this week - a snow-shoe event in Veysonnaz on Sunday 14th January, and an Apéro and English conversation in Sion on Friday 19th. The Veysonnaz Meet-Up on Sunday, January 14th is … Read More
Merry Christmas and Joyeux Noël!
Living in Sion would like to wish all readers a Very Merry Christmas, a Joyeux Noël and a Happy New Year! We will be back in 2018 with more articles, interviews and news. The photo below was taken by Samuel Fiore. We like the Christmas red and … Read More
Sion in the Snow – Photos by Samuel Fiore
These fabulous, atmospheric photos were taken in Sion one evening after a recent big snowfall in the town. They were taken by photographer Samuel Fiore. Samuel lives near the centre of Sion which enables him to be on the local scene very quickly, … Read More
EPFL Valais Wallis to Double in Size – Interview with Director Marc-André Berclaz
EPFL (École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne) is one of the biggest employers of English-speakers in Sion. It brings together academics from all over the world to carry out ground-breaking research in the fields of science and technology. It has … Read More
Alpine Wellness – Les Bains de Saillon, Thermal Wellbeing in the heart of the Rhone valley
Now that winter is here, what could be better than soaking and swimming in bubbling warm water after a day on the slopes or taking a few hours to recharge your batteries in an Alpine spa? The Grimentz Rambler (Living in Sion's regular contributor) … Read More
Winter Wildlife of the Valais – by Photographer Nick Townsend
Living in Sion is delighted to publish these four photos sent to us by photographer Nick Townsend. After working in the UK and Asia, Nick retired to the Valais after falling in love with the region during his holidays. He now has the time to spend … Read More
Win two “Passeports Valaisan” worth CHF 89 each! – Discounts on skiing, restaurants, sports and cultural activities.
Living in Sion is running a competition to win two "Passeports Valaisan” worth CHF 89 each. The passport itself is a non-official identity document aimed at anyone who loves the Valais or who wants to get to know it further and discover the … Read More
Powdair Flights may be Postponed – Airline looking for investors in Community Ownership plan
The new airline powdair, due to operate their first flights out of Sion on the 11th December, has announced that the airline's key financial backer has pulled out of the project. This leaves powdair facing the situation of postponing the start of … Read More
When Santa swings between the Chalets – Christmas Market in Grimentz 9/10 December
Date for your diaries - Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th December Les Fééries de Noël is a Christmas market which is set in Grimentz, a traditional Alpine village in the Val d'Anniviers. With stalls selling local and international goods, handcrafted … Read More
Sion by Night – By Local Photographer Samuel Fiore
These superb photos of Sion by night were taken by photographer Samuel Fiore. Samuel is sédunois (from Sion) and he lives right in the heart of the town. Being so central means he can get out and about and take photos quickly when the conditions are … Read More
Welcome to Living in Sion
This site provides news, events, and articles in English about living in the town of Sion, Switzerland, and the surrounding area in the Swiss Alps. It has been launched to cater for the hundreds of thousands of English speakers, of many different … Read More
Free parking in Sion on two Saturdays in November
There will be free parking in Sion on Saturday the 18th and 25th November from 08:00 - 17:00 in five car parks across the town (see poster below for … Read more
New destination for passengers flying from Sion Airport
Swiss International Air Lines will offer travellers the option to fly from Sion to Portugal this winter. The company is testing the route with two … Read more
Meet up for Anglophones in Sion – Friday 17th November at 18:00
There will be a chance to chat to other Anglophones over an apéro and meet some new faces on Friday 17th November at 18:00 in Sion. This is a Meet … Read more
Living in Sion now launched!
The sun shone, the sky was blue, the old town of Sion was looking lovely and we had a great inauguration of this website on the 7th November. Thank you to … Read more
Ella Maillart Museum in Chandolin.
Museum dedicated to Ella Maillart - Swiss travel writer and explorer. High up in the Val d'Anniviers at a height of around 1,900 metres, lies the … Read more
