Discover Savièse: Trails, Vineyards and Cultural Heritage

Savièse lies on a sunny plateau above Sion. Terraced vineyards, historic buildings and trails through the landscape shape different sides of the area. If you are looking for a hotel in Savièse, these themes can help guide your trip planning: landscape, history, cultural events and local cuisine each add their own accents.

Vineyards, Views and Trails

The wine-growing landscape of Savièse is extensive and marked by terraces. Scenic hiking trails also wind through the countryside. From a viewpoint, the 360-degree panorama stretches across the Rhône plain. The viewpoint is known for its microclimate and dry grasslands; rare plants of national importance also grow on the hill. Colline de la Soie is protected by the Swiss Confederation because of its significant dry grassland and is also protected at cantonal level because of its archaeological and historical interest.

At 2,042 metres, Prabé lies in the upper part of the municipality. The ascent starts at Mayens de la Zour on Route de Pragier-Dessus and takes about two hours. Just before the summit there is a hut where you can have a picnic. The time given is a guide; check the latest route details before setting out. This makes it possible to plan the ascent as a separate block of time without treating the approximate duration as an exact walking time.

Torrent-Neuf, also known as Bisse de Savièse, carried water from the Morge Valley to the slopes of Savièse. The historic watercourse was built between 1430 and 1448. Along the Torrent-Neuf trail, you can see the remains of the former bisse and suspension bridges. Another trail leads from Chapelle Ste-Marguerite to the Branlires cliff face. At the start of the Torrent-Neuf route by the chapel, there is an information stand and the Refuge des Voisseurs refreshment bar; halfway along is a second refreshment bar, Chalet de Brac.

The Pumptrack Savièse, next to the St-Germain football pitch, offers another way to combine exercise and design. It includes numerous variations with turns up to 1.30 metres high. A large, landscaped area lets parents comfortably watch their children riding. Details about the turns may change; if the measurements matter for your plans, check the latest information.

History and Cultural Sites

Château de la Soie was built in 1219 by Bishop Landri de Mont. Until 1375, it was the preferred summer residence of the bishops of Sion. During the Raron Wars, the fortress was looted and burned down in 1417. These three dates trace a clear historical sequence: construction was followed by a long period as a bishop’s summer residence, before its destruction marked a turning point.

The parish church of St-Germain dates from the 12th century and brings together several architectural styles. It was destroyed in 1475 and subsequently rebuilt. During a renovation in 1934, Ernest Biéler created a religious art ensemble there for the first time. Anyone interested in the development of a building can distinguish several historical layers here: the church’s medieval origins, its reconstruction and the 20th-century artistic work.

In the centre of St-Germain is the Maison de la Culture, a historic building with three floors of changing exhibitions. As the municipality’s exhibition programme may change, it is advisable to check the latest information before visiting. The Musée de la Société des Costumes et Patois displays more than 1,000 objects, tools and items of clothing from Savièse dating from 1850 to 1950. This period gives the collections a distinct context and makes the museum a place to discover clothing, everyday objects and tools from several generations.

Since opening in November 1999, the Le Baladin theatre has offered a varied theatre programme. The auditorium has 480 seats. As the programme changes seasonally and the capacity may be affected by changes to the auditorium, check the latest dates and information when planning your visit.

Festivals and Local Specialities

The annual Corpus Christi celebration brings together up to 1,000 worshippers, including nearly 400 participants in costume. The Carnaval de Savièse is also part of the recurring events calendar: schools, various associations and youth groups actively take part in the Sunday parade. The dates of the Carnaval vary from year to year; if you are travelling for a specific date, check the calendar for that year.

Flon de Savièse is listed in the Swiss Culinary Heritage inventory. It is a fruit tart with a sweet shortcrust pastry layer beneath and above the fruit. This particular construction distinguishes the speciality from a tart in which the fruit sits on just one layer of pastry.

In Drône, bread is baked in the communal oven; brioche, wheat and rye breads are prepared. After the Way of the Cross, members of the society hand out small loaves and serve wine from the society’s vineyard. Participation may vary. Together, these traditions show different sides of local food culture: the communal oven, different kinds of bread and the society’s wine.

Discover more destinations: Chandolin, Mayens-De-La-Zour, Grimisuat, Saint-Léonard Vs, Sion, Arbaz, Veysonnaz.

Back to the main travel overview: Sion.