Tsalan d'Arbaz Alpine Pasture
Above Anzère, at 2,000 meters, one of the highest alpine cheese dairies in Valais.
Why this address is in our selection
The History of Tsalan d'Arbaz
Magnificently perched at 2,000 metres in the Anzère ski area, the Tsalan d'Arbaz Alpine pasture is one of the highest cheese dairies in Valais. This location is no coincidence: here, cows graze on some of the most floral and pristine pastures in the canton, facing due south and benefiting from exceptional sunshine—a terroir that is directly reflected in the cheese.
In 2020, two brothers took over the farm. Very quickly, their work caught the attention of the Raclette du Valais AOP Interprofessional Organisation: in 2026, just 6 years after their arrival, their cheese won the silver medal in the official sensory evaluation, with a score of 19.00 out of 20—just below the gold threshold. Grégory, who welcomes visitors all summer, happily shares the secrets of making his Alpine cheese—from morning curdling to ripening. The wheel you taste at his place has spent its life on the pastures you see from the terrace.
Summer at Tsalan d'Arbaz means vibrant transhumance. On the Tour des Alpages route, people stop to taste, buy a portion to take away, and linger on the terrace facing the Valaisan Alps. Brunches are organized on fixed dates—an opportunity to taste homemade products in a friendly atmosphere, halfway between a guesthouse table and a family celebration.
A rare feature: at Tsalan d'Arbaz, everything happens on site. The morning milk becomes cheese by noon, then ages in the Alpine cellar under the watchful eye of Grégory himself. No external ripener, no transport, no intermediary—from pasture to plate, it's a completely short supply chain, as the AOP allows when the cheesemaker masters every step. A rarity that can be directly tasted in the paste: what you eat here, you won't find anywhere else.
🍴 Sur la carte
Summer — direct sales
- Valais Raclette cheese PDO (whole, half-wheel or portions)
- Alpine Tomme cheese
- Fresh Sérac cheese
- Alpine butter (subject to availability)
At the refreshment bar:
- Melted raclette plate
- Platters of Valais specialities
- Hot and cold drinks
By reservation, on fixed dates
- Brunches with homemade products
ℹ️ Bon à savoir
- Main season: summer (mid-June to mid-September, depending on weather and pasture use)
- Brunches organized on fixed dates – reservations recommended
- South-facing panoramic terrace
- Ideal for families, hikers and cyclists (mountain biking possible from the cable car)
- Takeaway cheese available
- The alpine pasture is also open in winter for skiers (different menu)
Comment y aller
🚗 En voiture
Exit the motorway at Sion-Est, then follow signs for "Ayent-Anzère". At Anzère resort, take the Pas-de-Maimbré gondola and get off at the mid-station. An easy, well-marked path then leads to the alpine pasture, through beautiful flower-filled meadows in summer and along the slopes in winter.
🥾 À pied
Beautiful family hike from Arbaz: 4.11 km, approximately 1h15 of walking, easy level. The trail crosses pastures and forests, with a view that gradually opens up to the Rhône Valley and the Alps. An ideal route for a morning or afternoon walk, to be rounded off with lunch at the mountain pasture.
🚌 Transports publics
Train to Sion, then bus towards Anzère gondola. From there, take the gondola up to the Pas-de-Maimbré mid-station, then a 15-20 minute walk. You can also take the gondola up and cycle back down.
Taste Tsalan d'Arbaz cheese at home
Grégory's raclette d'alpage — silver medal at the 2026 AOP sensory evaluation (19/20) — is made and matured on site at 2,000 m. It is available on Misterraclette. Reserve your half-wheel for next season.
OrderFrequently Asked Questions
The cheese is made AND matured directly on the alpine pasture by Grégory himself, without an external maturer. This is a rare, fully integrated short chain. This quality earned Tsalan d'Arbaz the 2026 silver medal at the official AOP sensory evaluation (19/20).
The mountain hut is open all summer, from mid-June to mid-September, depending on the alpine pasture season and the weather. Brunches are organized on fixed dates, by reservation.
Yes, Grégory offers Raclette du Valais AOP cheese (whole wheel, half wheel), Alpine tomme, fresh serac, and Alpine butter for direct sale, subject to availability.
Two options: by car to Anzère then the Pas-de-Maimbré cable car (stop at the intermediate station), or hiking from Arbaz (4.11 km, 1h15, easy level). Also accessible by public transport via Sion.
The Tsalan d'Arbaz alpine pasture is located at an altitude of 2,000 meters, above Anzère in the district of Sion. It is one of the highest alpine cheese dairies in Valais.
