Sion en lumière
by HORSCHECK
One of the highlights of our time in Sion was a visit of the sound and light show "Sion en lumière".
It is a free of charge event which in summer takes place every day at 22:15 h. A schedule for the rest of the year is available at the tourist information office.
At the starting time, people gather on the left side of the Town Hall (Hôtel de Ville), where blue light points guide a way along the illuminated buildings up to a place just below
both the Valère and Tourbillion Castle.
Here a mysterious story from the middle ages is told and accompanied by fantastic dynamic illuminations of the two castles. The whole event lasts about 45 minutes.
Few words in Swiss French
by ealgisi
Below few words in French that you can use while visiting Switzerland.
Yes/No = Oui/Non
Yes, please/No, thank you = Oui, s'il vous plaît/Non, merci
Please = S'il vous plaît
Thank you = Merci (madame/monsieur)
You're welcome = Il n'y a pas de quoi
Here is/are = Voici...
Hello/Good morning/afternoon = Bonjour, (madame/monsieur)
Hello/Good evening = Bonsoir (madame/monsieur)
Goodbye = Au revoir
Good night = Bonne nuit
How are you? = Comment allez-vous?
Very well, thanks = Très bien, merci
Excuse me = Excusez-moi
Do you speak English? = Est-ce que vous parlez anglais?
Can you help me? = Est-ce que vous pouvez m'aider?
I don't understand. = Je ne comprends pas.
I don't know. = Je ne sais pas.
Could you please write it down = Est-ce que vous pouvez l'écrire?
Sorry = Désolé(e)
Where? = Où?
When? = Quand?
How? = Comment?
Why? = Pourquoi?
Who? = Qui?
Which? = Lequel?/Laquelle?
Where is...? = Où est...?
How much? = Combien?
How many? = Combien?
What's that? = Qu'est-ce que c'est?
I like it. = Ça me plaît.
I don't like it. = Ça ne me plaît pas.
OK/Agreed. = Ça va/d'accord.
That's fine. = C'est bien.
Official currency: Swiss Francs
by HORSCHECK
Although Switzerland is situated in the centre of Europe it is not a member of the European Union nor does it have the Euro as currency.
The official currency in Switzerland is the Swiss Franc (CHF). The smaller denomination is called Rappen (100 Rappen = 1 CHF).
As all countries around Switzerland use the Euro as official currency, many shops and restaurants catering to tourists will accept payment in Euro but probably not at the best rate.
You can get your Swiss Francs from many cash points or exchange offices all around the town. Credit cards are widely accepted.
Daytrip to St. Leonard and the underground lake
by HORSCHECK
The small town of St. Leonard is located about 7 km east of Sion. It has less than 2000 inhabitants and is famous for the largest undergound lake (Lac Souterrain) in Europe.
One grey morning we went from Sion to St. Leonard by train (single fare 4,40 CHF) and visited the underground lake which is well signposted from the train station. Admission costs 10 CHF.
Tours of the 300 m long lake are only possible by large rowing boats.
The guides speak various languages and tell you everything about the mysterious cavern and the lake. The tour lasts about 45 minutes.
When we left the underground lake the weather had improved and we decided to walk back to Sion along the so called "Bisse de Clavau". This is a path which follows the irrigation system for the vineyards and offers panoramic views of the Rhone valley.
I must admit that I enjoyed the hike much more than the visit of the underground lake, but all in all this was just a perfect programme for a relaxing daytrip.
St. Leonard:
http://www.st-leonard.ch/
Lac Souterrain:
http://www.lac-souterrain.com/
Notre Dame-de-Valère Church
by yumyum
Inside this old church you will find various paintings and artefacts. You can pass through a door (which you need to close because of temperature regulation) and it takes you through the partition to the chapel from which you can take a peek to the original part of the church with its wall paintings.
You can take a tour if you want to go to the inside of that part.
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Chapelle Tous-ls-Saint / All Saints chapel in Sion
Château de Tourbillon / Tourbillon castle in Sion
Bière Valaisanne
Free city map of Sion
