Moving to Chalais needs to be planned with the terrain in mind: the commune, in central Valais south of Sierre, lies at the foot of the Réchy valley and Vercorin. With village houses, chalets and mountain roads, a move to Chalais calls for some forethought about access and the choice of vehicle. By describing your project online, you receive a free, no-obligation quote from professional removal companies in the area, who are used to this kind of terrain.
Chalais, between the Rhône plain and the Réchy valley
Chalais lies south of Sierre, where the Rhône valley meets the heights leading up to Vercorin. This gives the commune several different faces: areas closer to the plain, where access is easier, and steeper areas, where the terrain makes itself felt.
As for housing, you will mostly find village houses, chalets and homes built on slopes. Village centres often have older buildings with stairs and sometimes narrow entrances. Chalets may be served by more modest tracks than the main roads. A chalet used as a second home is usually emptied or furnished with different volumes than a flat: bulkier furniture, storage in an annexe, cellar or attic.
These differences matter from the preparation stage: the type of home, its level of access and its location in the commune determine how many people are needed and what equipment to plan for.
Access, the Vercorin road and parking in Chalais
The mountain road to Vercorin is the key factor when organising a move to the heights. A winding, steep road limits the size of truck that can comfortably make the climb: a smaller vehicle, or even moving the load in two stages, is sometimes better suited than a large truck. Mention it in your request, with the exact address, so that the removal companies can assess access, by visiting if necessary.
A few points to clarify before moving day:
- Carrying distance: between where the truck can stop and the front door, every metre carried adds working time.
- Stairs and lift: village houses and chalets often have stairs, sometimes narrow ones. State the number of floors and whether there is a lift.
- Furniture lift: when the stairs do not allow a bulky piece of furniture through, a furniture lift via the window or balcony can be the solution, provided the location allows it.
- Slopes and narrow streets: a truck on a slope needs to be parked carefully, and some village lanes are not suited to a large vehicle.
- Snow: in winter, mountain roads can be demanding. A move planned for the cold season should allow some leeway on the date.
If the truck or furniture lift has to occupy the public road, prior authorisation from the commune or the police may be required. Enquire a few days, or even a few weeks, before the date. Our guide on the parking permit for moving day explains the procedure.
Choosing the right time to move to Chalais
The right time depends first on your lease. A tenant may terminate by giving three months’ notice for the date set by local custom or, failing that, for the end of a quarter of the lease, unless the contract provides for a longer period (art. 266c of the Swiss Code of Obligations, CO). Customary moving dates vary by canton and commune: check your lease and local custom before setting the date. Notice must be given in writing (art. 266l CO). To find out more, see our guide to moving dates in Switzerland.
Around the customary moving dates, removal companies are generally in high demand: asking for a quote early gives you a wider choice of dates. As for seasons, summers are hot in the Rhône valley, which makes carrying more tiring in the middle of the day; in winter, snow can make access to the heights more difficult. The shoulder seasons often offer a more comfortable compromise, though this is not an absolute rule.
If you cannot meet the notice period or the date, you can be released by putting forward a solvent replacement tenant who is willing to take over the lease on the same terms (art. 264 CO).
Administrative steps for a move to Chalais
Every move must be reported to the residents’ registration office (contrôle des habitants): departure in the old commune, arrival in the new one, within the period set by the canton. In many communes, the notification can be made online via eMoving (eUmzugCH); ask the commune what applies to your situation. Our guide on registering with the commune takes you through it step by step.
Other points not to forget:
- Change of address: bank, insurers, employer, subscriptions and online services.
- Move-out inspection (état des lieux): when handing back your old home, a precise inspection avoids unpleasant surprises. A thorough clean is often expected.
- Rental deposit: for a home, it cannot exceed three months’ rent (art. 257e CO) and is paid into a blocked account in the tenant’s name.
- Family home: if you are married or in a registered partnership, termination requires the express consent of the spouse or partner (art. 266m and 266n CO).
If you are arriving from abroad or leaving for France, additional formalities apply, notably customs for the goods transported and the residence permit. Tell the removal companies in your request so that they can prepare the transport accordingly.
Useful services for your move to Chalais
Residential moving
For a flat, a village house or a chalet, residential moving covers loading, transport and placing items in the new home. Describe the access and the floors clearly: this is what allows the right team and vehicle to be estimated.
Furniture lift
In houses with narrow stairs, a furniture lift avoids forcing bulky furniture through. Whether it can be used depends on the space available in front of the façade, so it is worth discussing before moving day.
Packing and unpacking
On a journey along a mountain road, well-protected belongings make a difference. Packing and unpacking saves time and limits breakages, especially for crockery and fragile items.
Furniture assembly and disassembly
A large sideboard or a chalet wardrobe often goes through more easily when taken apart. Furniture assembly and disassembly makes carrying easier on stairs and in narrow corridors.
Storage
Between two homes, or if you are downsizing, storage lets you keep your belongings for as long as necessary.
End-of-lease cleaning
To hand back the home in the expected condition, end-of-lease cleaning prepares the move-out inspection.
Requesting a quote
- You describe your move online: departure and arrival addresses, approximate volume, floors, access and preferred date.
- Professional removal companies in the area contact you, possibly for a visit on site, which is useful where access is difficult.
- You compare the free quotes and remain free to choose, or not to proceed.
The cost varies according to volume, distance, floors and access, use of a furniture lift, packing and the date. Requesting a quote commits you to nothing.
Around Chalais
If your project involves neighbouring communes, see our pages on Sierre and Anniviers. For an overview, see moving in the canton of Valais or browse all communes.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions: moving to Chalais
The mountain road is winding and steep, which can limit the size of the vehicle. Give the exact address in your request: removal companies in the area will assess access and suggest a suitable vehicle, sometimes after a visit.
Occupying the public road with a truck, a furniture lift or a skip may require prior authorisation from the commune or the police. Enquire a few days, or even a few weeks, before the planned date.
It depends first on your lease and local moving dates. Summer can be hot in the Rhône valley and winter can bring snow to mountain roads; the shoulder seasons are often more comfortable.
You must report your departure to your old commune and your arrival to the residents' registration office (contrôle des habitants), within the period set by the canton. In many communes, eMoving (eUmzugCH) lets you do this online.
Yes, when the stairs are narrow or the furniture is bulky. Its use depends on the space in front of the façade and on access: say so in your request so that the removal companies can plan for it.