April 2022
With the arrival of spring, nature in Valais awakens from its winter sleep.
Dear journalists,
The Valais mountains are shedding their snowy blankets, revealing the blossoming beauty of nature in all its colours. Winter will soon be a distant memory. Make the most of this relaxing environment and set off to explore Valais. Scenic walks along the water’s edge, hidden gems in Valais, and unique wine experiences await you. You can also get to know Franziska Schmid and Philippe Meuwly, two individuals who have turned their passion for nature into a career.
Would you like to find out more about Valais? We would be delighted to provide you with further information or organise an interview.
Stroll along historic bisse irrigation canals.
Stroll along historic bisse irrigation canals.
In Valais, open trenches direct water from streams to numerous fields, vineyards and orchards. Some of these historic irrigation channels, known as bisses, are still in use today. Hiking trails running alongside them offer magnificent scenic walks along the waterside. With the arrival of spring, these hikes are the ideal opportunity to admire the surrounding nature coming to life. Explore Valais’s curiosities with our selection of the most unique bisses.
Get inspired for your next visit to Valais with these 16 unmissable destinations and activities.
Get inspired for your next visit to Valais with these 16 unmissable destinations and activities.
Looking to discover hidden gems in Valais? We have compiled a list of 16 unmissable experiences, guaranteed to make your stay in the heart of the Valais mountains unforgettable. From sports activities to culinary experiences, discover all of Valais’s secrets. Walk on the Aletsch Glacier, the largest in the Alps, or combine food and sport with a culinary tour of the Les Celliers de Sion vineyards on an electric bike – both activities promise to make your getaway a success.
Make the most of spring and discover wine tourism in Valais.
Make the most of spring and discover wine tourism in Valais.
Thanks to a dry, sunny climate, almost 5,000 hectares of vineyards, 55 grape varieties and 3,000km of dry stone walls, Valais is Switzerland’s largest winemaking region. As the temperatures rise and nature wakes up, it’s the ideal time to (re)discover the vineyards of Valais and sample some exceptional grape varieties. Awaken your senses with these ten unique wine experiences.
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Portraits
Meet two passionate and fascinating individuals from Valais and let yourself be inspired by their passion for Valais nature and all of its secrets
Franziska Schmid
First name: Franziska
Surname: Schmid
Activity: Farmer and trainee physiotherapist
Note: The conditions in Valais are hot and dry! To ensure a sufficient water supply for their meadows and animals, farmers engineered a spectacular network of irrigation channels. These channels transport the precious liquid from the mountains down to the villages, where it is then distributed by traditional irrigation methods. Organic farmer Franziska Schmid has mastered these ancestral skills and makes sure this precious cultural heritage endures.
Philippe Meuwly
First name: Philippe
Surname: Meuwly
Activity: Doctor of biology and founder of Pharmalp
Note: The aim of Pharmalp is to offer health-conscious people natural and innovative solutions for preventing and treating illnesses. One of their flagship products is the Pastille des Alpes, which contains edelweiss to combat bronchitis and sore throats; lemon thyme, aronia and elderflower for their antiviral properties; zinc to strengthen the immune system; and acacia juice to reduce irritation of the mucous membrane.
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Valais in figures
300 days of sunshine a year
45 four-thousand-metre peaks
8,000 kilometres of hiking trails
40,000 hectares of nature parks
100 functioning bisses
Almost 5,000 hectares of vineyards
55 grape varieties
3,000 kilometres of dry stone walls
15% of Switzerland’s asparagus comes from Valais