Fully is a town that extends over 8km at the foot of a majestic mountain: the Chavalard. Emblematic grape-growers of Fully, the 'arvine' is laid out over its sunlit hills. The Follatères natural reserve shelters mediteranean plants that are unique to Switzerland. During October, Fully celebrates the chestnut in a friendly atmosphere, the fruit of its famous chestnut orchard.
Clear skies, summer heat and rarely a shower in sight, this weather is typical of the municipality of Fully and not unlike that found by the sea on America's West Coast. In fact, it's not unusual to hear Fully referred to as Switzerland's Little California.
These weather conditions make Fully the perfect place for beach sports. The Beach Volley courts can be found near the primary school in Saxé. They are protected from the wind and slightly overlook the village, making the location a particular asset. Beach Volley is open to all from April to October.
Branson is an unmissable destination for any advanced climber: here you will find the first 8b+ bouldering route in the world, as well as the first 8b route.
This bouldering paradise is made up of 3 areas: the Pierre à Grosse (Great Rock) (500m), the Pierre Percée (Pierced Rock) (500m) and the Grotte au Sourd (Deaf Mans Cave) and Bloc à Kidet (1000m).
For rope climbers, there is also the Randonnaz cliff.
Five circuits, signposted as Route du Rhône 1, travel along the plains for 124km situated away from the major roads. They follow fields of flowers and crops, vegetable gardens, asparagus fields, orchards of apricot, pear and apple trees.
Three circuits cross the Fully plains, listed in the Swiss National Bike Routes network.
Easily accessible, the Fully canals are open for all forms of fishing. The mountain lakes can be reached by car from Fully or Ovronnaz as far as Erié.
From there, youll need to allow for just over an hour walking under the Chavalard mountain to reach Sorniots lower lake. Fly fishing is especially popular with purists, but all forms of fishing are allowed. Sorniots higher lake is around a 20 minute walk from the lower lake.
This walk links the Branson orchard with the Vers-l'Eglise orchard, in about 1h30. Several informative boards line the track, containing explanations on the evolution of the vine along the seasons, as well as on interesting facts about the Fully vignard.
During your walk, you can also discover numerous scattered booths in the vignard. These small houses, used during the seasons for the cultivation of the grapes, also serve as a shelter for those seeking breaks, especially harvest season!
Can be walked in both directions, and during all four seasons.
This trail is unique in Valais. It can be taken during all seasons, crossing the chestnut tree forest overlooking the village. Created in 1997, it is dotted with 14 boards that recounts the history and characteristics of the chestnut and its forest.
This path, 1.26km long, is good for family outings. At least an hour and a half must be counted for the completion of the walk.
Standing at 2898m, the Grand Chavalard is the highest peak of the slopes, located above the municipality of Fully. The Sorniot circuit, lakes and high pastures are among the many and varied landscapes to be discovered along the way. There are two ways to reach the Tour du Chavalard: via Fully or Ovronnaz. You'll head towards Chiboz, then follow the path leading to the Randonnaz alpine pasture as far as Erié, where there is a car park for visitors. From Erié, either head in the direction of Sorniot or go the opposite way, towards the alpine pastures La Lui dAoût and Petit Pré. This route is manageable in one day. A further option is to take the chairlift from Jorasse to Ovronnaz.
To reach the Portail de Fully from Erié, first cross the La Blêt pass and then follow the yellow signs to this natural archway, which has taken shape from the artistic erosion of an unusual rock. To continue on this trail, make for the Col du Demècre, where you'll find the mountain hut of the same name, then turn back downhill as far as Sorniot and make your way back to Erié.
Situated at the foot of Follatères the nature reserve, and at the beginning of the vine trail, this agrotouristic plant "Fol'terres" offers tastings as well as a large array of local, Valasian products (saltings, cheeses, artisanal products, and wines).
Parking, as well as a 1000m2 garden are available.
Discover over 60 wine-makers in the Valais, in an idyllic décor.
Carmelle Genoud, manager of the enotica since its creation, more than 12 years ago, invites you to share her passion for wine.
Every week, 8 vintage wines from the whole of the Valais, are offered.
Every month, 2 vignars are represented by a promoting box of 6 bottles, with a discount of 10% on the cellar price.
The Méphisto has capacity for up to 70 people. The special charm of this cellar, complete with stone arches, gives a warm, inviting atmosphere. Perhaps the little bar helps, as well. The place has been open since December 2007, run by local youth organisation Action Socioculturelle de Fully and 6 young people from the region. Each year, they put on eight evenings of music under the name Mèphacoustique.
The aim is to offer the area an acoustic scene while also supporting bands from the region, with the first part of the evening welcoming a confirmed artist to the stage.
The "Belle Usine" is composed of two rooms that share the programming. The large room on the ground floor, of great acoustic quality, and one smaller room on the first floor, named the "Dzine". Since its creation, the "Bell Usine" has not ceased to progress. It has welcomed numerous Valaisian talents, and one large pallet of Swiss artists, but also numerous foreign celebrities. Voluntarily eclectic, it welcomes both comedians as well as theatre and dance shows, concerts, exhibitions and cinema. The "Belle Usine" occupies an original and important place in Valasian and Romand cultural landscapes.
The first church in Fully was built in 1276. La première église de Fully a été construite en 1276.
The parochial church, dedicated to St. Symphorien, dates from 1935, but its steeple dates from 1747. It is the largest church of diocese in Sion.
"Considered a historical monument, the Saint-Symphorien church of Fully is an amazing exhibit of the architect, artists, and the clergy for the first half of the 20th century's desires to decline religious art in new forms, freedfrom the pastiches that were too lenient, according to them, during the previous century.
Vinothèque (there is no direct translation: wine tasting? Wine museum?) "Chez Victorine"
The wine museum "Chez Victorine" offers, every two weeks, several vintage wines, all made from the best grapes and wine-makers in the Valais. All these wines were meticulously chosen by Victorine to give you maximum satisfaction during your tasting.
Plates of local food are offered to accompany your tasting.
It is equally possible to buy and take away the wine from a large selection of grapes, as well as some local products.
At the heart of Fully, in the Valais, is a chestnut orchard 17 yards large, an element of heritage, a place to wind down, full of biodiversity and a bulwark against natural disasters. Each year, during mid-october, the Chestnut Festival celebrates its fruit. Over 40'000 visitors attend. The chestnut, in Fully, is also a brotherhood, a natural path, and a traditional meal: the brisolée.
Fully-Sorniot is a run which covers part of the mountain belonging to the Canton of Valais. It continues for over 7km 950 and has a range in altitude of 1600m. Anyone passionate about physical endurance, beautiful mountainous landscapes, running races, hiking, trail biking (the list goes on) is welcome! Several levels are available: a walkers level, a shorter race for children and, of course, a competition for runners who want to tackle this demanding route and try to beat the clock.
Takes place on 15 August every year. On the day of the Patronal Feast, the whole mountain will be celebrating. Come along for a free apéritif, followed by raclette served in the mountain hut.
Fully Tourism, along with fourteen winegrowers and members of the Fully Grand Cru Association, invite members of the public to take a stroll designed around apéritifs and food tasting in the heart of an extraordinary wine region. Choose between two packages: wine tasting only, or wine tasting plus a special menu throughout the experience. Upon arrival, the shade of the chestnut grove creates a pleasant space to relax, where a small market showcases a selection of local delicacies.
It was back in 1986 when Raymond Warpelin and a group of merry men decided to set up a great procession in the village streets.
Children, parents and festival floats went on parade in a setting full of music and colour for the enjoyment of the public, who were out in force.
Dont miss the traditional pyjama evening and confetti fights throughout the day.
St-Ours is the Patronal Feast of the village of Branson, located on the famous Rhône elbow at the foot of the Follatères, a protected natural area. Every year in the first weekend of February, St-Ours brings together people from the village and passing guests in a festive, jolly atmosphere.
The inhabitants of Branson undergo a transformation to become innkeepers for the day: they welcome passing guests in their decorated cellar or carnotzet - a cosy room, usually in the cellar, where a glass of wine can be enjoyed together.
The Vertical Kilometre is an exceptional race in every runners calendar. Around ten trials of its kind can be found in Italy, France and Switzerland, including the Fully run.
At a distance of 1920 metres, Fullys Vertical Kilometre is the shortest but also the quickest in the world. Its average gradient surpasses 50%. The starting point is at the Belle Usine theatre of Fully (500m), with the route following a former railway line until the finish line at Les Garettes (1500m). Thats a thousand metre altitude difference in a time trial format.
A mix of local talents, including swiss bands and international stars on an original logation (the chestnut Orchard in Fully and the Belle Usine hall).