The Valais is famed for the legendary beauty of its scenery, for the richness of its soil and for its climate which is the driest in Switzerland. To nature lovers it offers geology, flora and fauna of stunning diversity.

From the valley carved out by the Rhône, the country rises in steps to summits of more than 4000m, including the celebrated Mont Cervin. Depending on the altitude, there are huge contrasts of climate as well as relief, each level representing a typical habitat with its own particular vegetation. The banks of the Rhône are occupied by orchards. Higher up, the vines cling to rocky slopes. Climbing towards the sky, there are little fields of rye, interspersed with meadows, and above them the forests with their undergrowth of small fruit bushes, wild berries and alpine plants. The higher terrain is occupied by pasture with a mountain flora rich in species. Finally, the snowfields and glaciers signal the arrival at the rocky crests and summits.

The vast patchwork of this terraced landscape captivates any who explores it on foot. The wind tears at these wild heights and the mountain torrents carry mud and alluvium, sand and rock particles to feed the rich humus of the valaisan orchards. The intensity of the light that reigns over the whole country drives the tumultuous aerial ballet of the insects and the process of pollinization. The breezes that blow down from the summits give the air of the valley a healthy, tonic quality.

Nature has her laws, her ways and means, and choices. She has made of the Rhône valley in the canton of Valais a paradise for growing fruit trees. The pick of the crop – apricots, pears, apples and mirabelle plums – are simply bursting with goodness.