AnniviersAnniviers is a municipality in the district of Sierre in the canton of Valais in Switzerland. It was formed through the merger of six municipalities in Val d'Anniviers: Ayer, Chandolin, Grimentz, Saint-Jean, Saint-Luc and Vissoie. The merger became effective 1 January 2009, creating the third largest municipality of Switzerland by area. Human settlement dates from the Bronze Age and Iron Age. The region was later occupied by Gaulish tribes, who were conquered by the Roman Empire during the first century.
SierreSierre (sjɛʁ; Siders, zidɐs; Siérro, ˈʃiʁo) is the capital municipality of the district of Sierre, located in the canton of Valais, Switzerland. It has a population of 16,332. Sierre is nicknamed City of the Sun (Cité du Soleil) for its average of 300 days of sunshine a year. It is the last official French-speaking city in Valais before the French–German language border of the canton located at the forêt de Finges, a few kilometres after the town. A German-speaking minority lives in Sierre, counting for around 8% of the population.
ChandolinChandolin is a village in the district of Sierre in the Swiss canton of Valais. An independent municipality before, it merged on 1 January 2009 with neighboring Ayer, Grimentz, Saint Jean, Saint-Luc and Vissoie to form the municipality of Anniviers. Chandolin is first mentioned about 1250 as Eschandulyns. Chandolin was the permanent home of Swiss travel writer Ella Maillart until her death, and it now houses the Ella Maillart Museum in her memory.
GrimentzGrimentz is a village in the district of Sierre in the Swiss canton of Valais. An independent municipality before, it merged on 1 January 2009 with neighboring Ayer, Chandolin, Saint Jean, Saint-Luc and Vissoie to form the municipality of Anniviers. Grimentz is first mentioned in 1052 as Grimiens. The village was formerly known by its German name Grimensi, however, that name is no longer used. Lac de Moiry is a reservoir completed 1958. Lac des Autannes is located at an elevation of . Grimentz lies at altitude above sea level.
RandogneRandogne (ʁɑ̃dɔɲ) is a former municipality in the district of Sierre in the canton of Valais in Switzerland. On 1 January 2017 the former municipalities of Chermignon, Mollens, Montana and Randogne merged to form the new municipality of Crans-Montana. Randogne is first mentioned in 1224 as Randonni. Randogne had an area, , of . Of this area, or 26.2% is used for agricultural purposes, while or 31.0% is forested. Of the rest of the land, or 12.1% is settled (buildings or roads), or 0.2% is either rivers or lakes and or 30.
VenthôneVenthône is a former municipality in the district of Sierre in the canton of Valais in Switzerland. On 1 January 2021 the former municipalities of Miège, Venthône and Veyras merged to form the new municipality of Noble-Contrée. Venthône had an area, , of . Of this area, or 44.3% is used for agricultural purposes, while or 24.9% is forested. Of the rest of the land, or 31.2% is settled (buildings or roads). Of the built up area, housing and buildings made up 16.6% and transportation infrastructure made up 12.
VissoieVissoie is a village in the district of Sierre in the Swiss canton of Valais. The village became an independent municipality in 1905 when it split from the municipalities of Ayer and Grimentz. However, on 1 January 2009 it merged with neighboring Ayer, Chandolin, Grimentz, Saint Jean and Saint-Luc to form the municipality of Anniviers. Vissoie has an area, , of . In 1905 the village expanded with the détachée des communes d'Ayer and de Grimentz. In 2009 Vissoie merged with Ayer, Chandolin, Grimentz, Saint-Jean and Saint-Luc into the municipality of Anniviers.
ValaisValais (UKˈvæleɪ , USvæˈleɪ , valɛ; Valês; Wallis ˈvalɪs), more formally the Canton of Valais, is one of the 26 cantons forming the Swiss Confederation. It is composed of thirteen districts and its capital and largest city is Sion. The flag of the canton is made of thirteen stars representing the districts, on a white-red background. Valais is situated in the southwestern part of the country. It borders the cantons of Vaud and Bern to the north, the cantons of Uri and Ticino to the east, as well as Italy to the south and France to the west.
