La Ferme-Asile: Thirty Years of Contemporary Creation in Sion

In the Vissigen district of Sion, Switzerland, an unassuming former farm has transformed over three decades into a cornerstone of contemporary art in the French-speaking region.

La Ferme-Asile, a building constructed in 1955 with a distinctive U-shaped architecture, now serves as a vibrant meeting point for artists, musicians, and the public. Beneath its expansive wooden beams, studios, exhibition spaces, and a concert hall foster a dynamic dialogue between diverse artistic practices. The building itself is recognized for its architectural uniqueness and is listed in Sion's built heritage inventory.

Historically, the farm was integral to the Sion hospital, providing sustenance for both its charitable and regional care divisions. Hay was stored where exhibitions now take place, and cows were housed where concerts now resonate. This dual social and medical mission continued until the mid-1980s, after which the hospital focused solely on patient care. The farm, cut off from its lands by highway construction, ceased operations and lay abandoned for about a decade.

In the mid-1990s, a group of artists recognized the potential of this derelict structure. They envisioned transforming the peripheral farm into a space dedicated entirely to artistic creation, with the explicit aim of "bringing the public closer to the world of art." Between 1994 and 1996, the building underwent rehabilitation with the help of volunteers and individuals in job reintegration programs. The Ferme-Asile association was established in 1996, supported by the municipality of Sion, the Hospital-Asylum Foundation, and the Canton of Valais. Since then, it has continuously evolved, opening artist studios, a renowned restaurant, and a concert hall, while maintaining its original spirit.