Majorie Castle

Majorie Castle in Sion is a medieval fortress with two main structures: the Majorie tower with terraced walls and the Vidomnat featuring two three-story square towers. These buildings form a connected complex that rises on a hill overlooking the city.

Bishop Guichard Tavelli acquired the castle in 1373 and made it the residence of Sion's prince-bishops until the late 1700s. Its role as a princely seat shaped the region's political and religious landscape for centuries.

The castle has housed the Valais Museum of Fine Arts since 1947, displaying regional artwork within its medieval walls. The rooms reflect how local artistic traditions have developed over time through the collections displayed there.

Access to the castle is available through Rue des Chateaux or via a tunnel running beneath the main structure. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes since the paths are steep and uneven, with hilly terrain surrounding the site.

The castle's former stables, called Grange-a-l'Eveque, have housed the Valais Nature Museum since 2013 with collections on local wildlife and plants. This separate exhibition space provides a contrast to the art collections in the main castle.

Location: Sion

Part of: list of cultural properties in Sion

Address: Place de la Majorie 15, 1950 Sion

GPS coordinates: 46.23436,7.36130

Latest update: December 9, 2025 12:27