Swiss Art & Culture
The 3D sculpture Foundation promotes art, education and culture to the international audiences of Verbier. Founded in 2010 by New York based artist Madeline Paternot and Verbier based artist, Kiki Thompson, the residency creates a space for Art and Ecology to meet on the mountain. Think of a museum without walls, in the beautiful mountain landscape of Verbier, Switzerland.
The 3D Sculpture Park is located along the walk from Les Ruinettes to La Chaux above Verbier. Take the gondola from Verbier to Les Ruinettes. In July & August, change onto the Chaux Express to Restaurant Dahu, which has a fantastic view toward the Combin Glacier.
Activities: 3D Sculpture Park
Location: Verbier, Switzerland
When: June, July & August
Distance: In Verbier
The St Bernard Dog Museum is a favourite for dog lovers and children. These huge dogs, which originate from the St Bernard Monastery nearby, have a fascinating history as rescue dogs in the high mountains. The museum is informative and provides a good background to the breed before you meet them. St Bernards are bred and cared for here too so you can watch them play outside, sleep, eat and gain a better understanding of the origins of the St Bernard breed.
The Foundation Pierre Giannada is a world renowned art museum in Martigny, and one of the most important cultural attractions in the town. The Foundation offers permanent exhibitions and you will be surprised by the original art on display as you walk around. Over the last 2 years, the exhibition has featured famous art by Picasso and Zao
Wou-Ki as well as showcased some of to Leonardo Da Vinci’s work.
Within the Foundation, you will also see the Classic Car Museum, showcasing a large collection of more than 50 vintage cars from between 1897 to 1939.
There is a Gallo-Roman Museum, which recounts the discoveries made during the building of the museum on an ancient site. The gardens house a Sculpture Park, the Chagall Court and the Szafran Pavillon where the Foundation Café serves refreshments.
Chalet Spa recommends you visit the ancient open-air ampitheatre before leaving Martigny. All these attractions are close to each other, and our chauffeur would make your daytrip an enjoyable experience for all.
Activities: Grand St Bernard Dog Museum, Pierre Giannada Art Museum, Classic Car Museum, Gallo-Roman Museum, Roman Ampitheatre
Location: In the valley below Verbier
When: Open all year round
Distance: 30 minutes by car
Geneva has over 500 years experience of luxury watch making and is home to the Patek Philippe Museum with a priceless collection of antique watches and timepieces.
The Joux Valley is home to such brands as Audemars Piguet, Tag Heuer, Parmigiani, Piaget, Vacheron Constantin, Van Cleef & Arpels, Cartier, Chanel, Chopard and many more.
La Chaux-de-Fonds, located in the watch making region of Neuchatel, is world famous for its clock making and clock museum.
Visits to watch makers are typically for two to four people at a time and tours can be given in most languages.
Chalet Spa recommends this fascinating day out which provides an insight into an industry steeped in Swiss heritage and precision.
Activities: Visit to the Patek Philippe, Watch Makers
Location: Geneva and the Joux Valley
When: All year round
Distance: 2 hours by car, 20 minutes by helicopter
The Chocolate Train allows you to experience the famous Swiss chocolate at the Cailler-Nestlé factory, a must for those with a “sweet tooth”.
The GoldenPass Train takes 1 hr 20 mins to weave up to the mountain resort of Gstaad, a beautiful panoramic journey through mountains and villages along the way.
Activities: The Cheese Train, The Chocolate Train, GoldenPass Train to Gstaad
Location: Montreux
When: All year
Distance: 50 minutes by car
For over a century the International Olympic Committee has been located on the shores of Lake Geneva, acting as a catalyst for collaboration between all parties of the Olympic family. If you are visiting Lausanne, the Olympic museum offers an interesting insight into the Games with plenty of interactive displays and Olympic memorabilia, including all the Olympic torches that have been carried to represent each Olympic Games.
Lausanne is the fourth largest city in Switzerland and is French speaking, facing Lac leman and Evian-les-Bains in France. Built on a Southern slope, Lausanne also has 46 buildings or sites listed as Swiss heritage sites of national significance so the city is steeped in history.
Sporting activities are very popular in Lausanne, which plays host to track & field meetings, road runs, triathlons and marathons, although it is said that the two most important sports in the city are ice hockey and football.
Lausanne will host the 2020 Winter Youth Olympics with venues for skating events, opening & closing ceremonies, and ice hockey already in the city, whilst skiing events will be held in the nearby mountain resorts.
Activities: Olympic City visit
Location: Ouchy, Lausanne
When: All year round
Distance: 1 hour 15 minutes by car
The old town of Bern is encircled by the Aare River and in the Summer, people swim and boat here. Bern’s historic townscape dates back to 1191 and the Zytglogge, or Clock Tower in the middle of town is one of Bern’s most important sights. Built in 1530, the astronomical clock with its moving figures still serves as the city’s main clock.
The Cathedral of Bern is Switzerland’s largest ecclesiastical building, and this along with the History Museum and Einstein House are worth visiting.
Known as the City Of Fountains, Bern’s medieval streets have more than 100 elaborate fountains which date from the middle Ages and which predict the heroes and historical events of the city. The fountains used to provide a meeting place where the towns people met to talk, wash and drink clean water.
If art is of interest, the Paul Klee centre in the centre of Bern features the world’s largest collection of originals by Paul Klee in a boldly designed gallery made of glass and steel.
Finally, you can’t leave Bern without a visit to the Bern bears who live in the heart of the capital next to the River Aare. They climb, fish and play in the spacious Bear park and can often be seen taking a swim in the warm Summer months.
Activities: Capital City visit
Location: Bern
When: All year round
Distance: 1 hour 45 minutes by car