Where to live in the Valais: 7 exceptional destinations

The Valais embodies the essence of the Alpine art of living. The canton stands out for the strength of its landscapes, the majesty of its peaks, the generosity of its sunshine and the richness of its heritage. The major ski resorts sit alongside unspoilt villages, and you’ll find a rare balance between authenticity, dynamism and property prestige. For families in search of peace and quiet, or for investors looking to secure their assets, the Valais remains a must-see destination.

Not sure where to invest in luxury property in the Valais? Here is a selection of the most emblematic places to live in the Valais, chosen for their attractiveness, exclusivity and the heritage value they embody.

Crans-Montana: a sunny balcony overlooking the Alps

Overlooking the Rhône Valley at an altitude of 1500 metres, Crans-Montana enjoys an international reputation. The resort attracts visitors as much for its exceptional natural setting as for its refined atmosphere. The sunshine here is remarkable, offering residents generous amounts of light in both summer and winter, and the view stretches from the peaks of the Valais to Mont Blanc on a clear day.

Crans-Montana is more than just a renowned ski resort. It is also a year-round destination. International golf, high-level cultural and sporting events, luxury boutiques and Michelin-starred restaurants make this an elegant, dynamic and cosmopolitan place to live.

The property market here is made up of prestigious chalets nestling on the edge of the forest, contemporary residences offering spectacular panoramic views, and spacious flats in the heart of the resort. The properties are distinguished by their rarity and heritage value, enhanced by constant international demand. To invest or live in Crans-Montana is to choose a rare balance between cultural vitality, a natural environment and residential excellence.

Hérémence: authenticity in the heart of the mountains

Hérémence, in the Vallée d’Hérens, captivates visitors with its unspoilt authenticity. The village is an invitation to reconnect with a Switzerland deeply rooted in its Alpine traditions. Hundred-year-old granaries, stone and wooden houses and sun-drenched hamlets make up a picturesque setting of rare beauty.

This intimate setting sacrifices nothing for modern comforts. Hérémence enjoys privileged access to the 4 Vallées ski area, linking Thyon, Veysonnaz and Verbier, making it a strategic location for winter sports enthusiasts. In summer and winter alike, the surrounding countryside becomes a playground for lovers of hiking, mountaineering and exceptional scenery.

The real estate here combines the warmth of Valais heritage with contemporary standards. Behind the old wooden facades lie modernised interiors, with private spas, large picture windows and the very latest amenities. Hérémence appeals to those seeking discreet luxury, where Alpine tradition meets modern elegance.

Champéry: a balance between authenticity and Alpine vitality

Located in the heart of the Vallée d’Illiez, Champéry is the perfect embodiment of the art of mountain living, combining tradition and dynamism. This picturesque village boasts typical Valais architecture, lively lanes and a privileged location at the foot of the Portes du Soleil ski area, one of the largest in Europe.

Living in Champéry means choosing a setting that’s both peaceful and lively, where nature is a constant guest. In summer and winter alike, the village offers a wide range of sporting, cultural and gastronomic activities, while remaining easily accessible from Lausanne or Geneva thanks to its rail and road links.

When it comes to property, Champéry attracts an international clientele looking for prestigious residences, with panoramic chalets and contemporary flats offering direct access to the slopes or footpaths. Investing in Champéry means opting for a popular destination that combines Alpine charm, profitability and an exceptional quality of life.

Morgins: Alpine charm combined with a busy lifestyle

On the Franco-Swiss border, in the heart of the Portes du Soleil, Morgins has a friendly atmosphere and an exceptional natural setting. This mountain village, nestling at an altitude of 1,300 metres, combines tradition and modernity, with authentic chalets, cosy restaurants and winter and summer sports facilities.

Living in Morgins means enjoying an unspoilt environment, ideal for lovers of nature and outdoor activities. Hiking trails, ski slopes and panoramic views of the Dents du Midi provide a rare living environment, while the proximity of Monthey, Lausanne and Geneva ensures convenient access to services and major routes.

On the property front, Morgins attracts both Swiss families and international buyers, who are won over by its luxury chalets and recent flats with top-of-the-range amenities. Investing in Morgins means choosing a place on a human scale, dynamic and full of authenticity, where each season brings a new face to the mountains.

Haute-Nendaz: the gateway to the 4 Valleys

Haute-Nendaz overlooks the Rhône Valley from its sunny plateau and is one of the main gateways to the 4 Vallées ski area. With its shops, schools, restaurants and sporting and cultural activities, Haute-Nendaz is a lively community all year round, making it an ideal destination for families.

There’s plenty to do here. In winter, Haute-Nendaz stands out for the quality of its ski area and its freeride opportunities. In summer, the famous “bisses” (irrigation channels) offer picturesque walks, while the surrounding mountain pastures are the ideal playground for hikers and mountain bikers.

Haute-Nendaz’s top-of-the-range real estate combines tradition and modernity: family chalets designed to accommodate several generations, panoramic flats with generous terraces and second homes with all modern conveniences. Haute-Nendaz stands out as a place where the balance between alpine life, conviviality and property prestige is experienced on a daily basis.

Grimentz: the soul of Val d’Anniviers

Grimentz is often described as one of the most picturesque villages in Switzerland, and rightly so. Its cobbled streets, dark wooden facades adorned with geraniums and unspoilt atmosphere make this village an icon of Valais authenticity.

Unlike some modernised resorts, Grimentz has managed to retain its original character while integrating the infrastructure needed for a quality lifestyle. The ski slopes, shops, restaurants and top-of-the-range services coexist harmoniously with a strong identity.

The property market here is small, which makes the properties available rare and therefore particularly valuable. Elegantly renovated century-old chalets and contemporary residences that blend seamlessly into the landscape are prized by customers looking for heritage and timelessness. Moving to Grimentz means choosing a refined lifestyle where beauty and tradition go hand in hand.

Verbier: the international icon

Verbier is undoubtedly one of the most famous resorts in the world. Its reputation is based on its exceptional ski area, its major cultural and sporting events and its cosmopolitan atmosphere. Here, the mountains are experienced with intensity. Skiing and freeriding in winter, festivals and sporting activities in summer, all in a spectacular natural setting dominated by the Grand Combin.

Verbier is also a lifestyle destination. Luxury boutiques, Michelin-starred cuisine, trendy bars and clubs make up a lively and refined environment. Prestigious properties here are among the most sought-after in Switzerland. The chalets combine traditional architecture with ultra-modern facilities, often with indoor pools, private spas and vast open spaces overlooking the mountains.

Verbier embodies prestige in its purest form. Living here means choosing a vibrant environment, an international social life and a property portfolio whose value continues to grow.

Zermatt: the pedestrian exception facing the Matterhorn

Zermatt is a unique address. A pedestrian village, accessible only by train from Täsch, it unfurls its elegant streets at the foot of the Matterhorn, the most iconic mountain in the Alps. Here, the air is pure, the atmosphere refined and nature omnipresent.

The resort is renowned for the exceptional quality of its ski area, which is accessible all year round thanks to its glacier. In summer, Zermatt becomes the starting point for renowned hikes and climbs, attracting an international clientele in search of high mountain experiences.

Real estate here is extremely rare. Exceptional chalets and panoramic flats with a direct view of the Matterhorn are among the most sought-after properties in the world. The strict regulations governing property development in Zermatt help to preserve this rarity and thus enhance the value of the properties.

Zermatt represents absolute exclusivity. To settle here is to choose a unique way of life, combining prestige, discretion and permanent communion with one of the world’s most famous landscapes.

The Valais offers an exceptional diversity of prestigious places to live. Crans-Montana seduces with its cultural vitality and sunny panorama, Hérémence with its preserved authenticity, Troistorrents with its balance between village and connectivity, Haute-Nendaz with its family energy and access to the 4 Valleys, Grimentz with its timelessness, Verbier with its international effervescence and Zermatt with its exclusive character facing the Matterhorn. On the plains, the towns of Sion, Martigny, Monthey and Sierre complete this exceptional picture. Lively, accessible and close to the major Alpine areas, they offer a sought-after living environment, combining economic opportunities, cultural wealth and close proximity to the mountains.

Each of these locations illustrates a unique facet of Alpine luxury. With FGP Swiss & Alps, you have confidential access to the rarest properties in these destinations. Our expertise and our network guarantee you personalised support to make your Valais property project a reality.

FAQ – Living and investing in the Valais

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