Housed in the former fortified settlement of Valère Castle in Sion, the Valais History Museum traces 50,000 years of human presence in the Alps. A chronological route leads from prehistory to the present day through around a thousand objects.
History museums
Main highlights
- 50,000 years of Valais history told through a chronological route, from prehistory to the present day
- Around a thousand objects on display, including rare archaeological pieces and traces of everyday life
- Valère Castle, a medieval fortress whose rooms form a labyrinth on the hill of Sion
Overview
The Valais History Museum occupies Valère Castle, a medieval fortress overlooking the town of Sion. The site brings together the Basilica and the former fortified settlement, where around a thousand objects from the museum’s collections are on display.
The institution is one of the Cantonal Museums of Valais, alongside the Art Museum and the Nature Museum. The building itself bears witness to history : structures added over the centuries form a labyrinth of rooms, with each room devoted to a different era.
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What to see and do
The route follows a chronological thread and highlights key themes for each period : prehistory, the Bronze Age, the Roman era, the Middle Ages, then the modern and contemporary periods. It shows how a territory clearly bounded by high mountain ranges took shape.
The permanent collections bring together archaeological objects, historical documents, works of art and traces of everyday life, including some rare pieces. The museum also hosts temporary exhibitions exploring aspects of Valais history in greater depth, as well as workshops for adults and guided tours.
For children, most rooms feature chairs that open up to reveal small fun activities, so they can discover history through hands-on play.
Practical information
Getting there : on foot from Sion town centre via Rue des Châteaux and the Valère steps, in about ten minutes.
Visit duration : allow 1.5 to 2 hours for a full visit.
Visitors : families, groups, and deaf, hard-of-hearing or cognitively disabled visitors, who can enjoy adapted tours.
On site : lockers at reception, information in French, German and English in every room.
Visiting tips
Wear good shoes for the walk up to Valère. Groups of more than 10 people are advised to book in advance.
After your visit, the castle terrace offers views over Sion and the Rhône Valley, and the Basilica is on the same site.
Nearby
- The 12th-century Valère Basilica is home to the oldest playable organ in the world.
- The Valais Nature Museum in Sion showcases Alpine biodiversity and our impact on the environment.
- Tourbillon Castle, former residence of the Bishops of Sion, offers a panoramic view over the town from its ruins.
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