Chateau Tourbillon

Tourbillon Castle



The Tourbillon Castle (literally, Whirlwind Castle) on the opposite hill from the Valère Castle, dates from 1294, but was ruined by fire in 1788 and today, aside from the external walls, little is left.

We had planned to do one of the spectacular wine trails through the vines of Sion, exploring one of the oldest and largest Aqueducts in Europe. Autumn is meant to be one of the best times of the year for the 7km amble through this sun drenched wine growing district, as the gold tinged vines hang heavy with ripe grapes.
Alas, this particular Sunday was drenched alright, just not from the Mediterranean like weather the guide book had promised.
Never the less, we explored the old town of Sion armed with umbrellas and jackets till we found a quaint Swiss/Italian cafe filled with its Sunday regulars savouring their mid morning coffees and pastries.
By the time we had devoured our fondu, frites and flat whites we took to the streets in search of history and adventure.

Sion is the capital of the Swiss canton of Valais.
Landmarks include the Basilique de Valère and Château de Tourbillon.
Sion has an airfield for civilian and military use and which serves as a base for countless life-saving air rescue missions on and around the surrounding Alps that rise up steeply from the narrow valley floor.

Sion is one of the most important pre-historic sites in Europe. The alluvial fan of Sionne, the rocky slopes above the river and, to a lesser extent, Valeria and Tourbillon hills have been settled nearly continuously since antiquity. The oldest trace of human settlement comes from 6200 BC during the late Mesolithic. Around 5800 BC early Neolithic farmers from the Mediterranean settled in Sion. The settlements remained small until about 4500 BC, during the middle Neolithic, when the number of settlements increased sharply. To support the population increase, farming and grazing spread throughout the valley.
Now the slopes are solely used for the production of fine Swiss wines. Which rather cunningly they keep well under wraps choosing not to export anywhere outside Switzerland. Though they are extremely generous when it comes to sharing with thirsty travelers who happen to cross their landlocked boarders.

Jed, Jack and Jess. Together again!

Spot the plum thieves!

We will keep Sion on our to-do list and head back down the valley to explore its history and of course its fine wines another day.

Especially because they grow such fine looking Kiwi fruit!