Moving to Port-Valais: lake, Rhône and villages

Moving to Port-Valais means moving between lake and plain: the commune borders Lake Geneva at the mouth of the Rhône and brings together several villages, including Le Bouveret and Les Évouettes. Whether you are leaving a flat near the lake or a house in one of the villages, access, the volume to be carried and the timing will differ. This page helps you prepare your move to Port-Valais and find a removal company in Port-Valais through a free quote.

Port-Valais: a area of villages between lake and Rhône

The commune is not a single centre. Le Bouveret and Les Évouettes each have their own character, and you will move differently from one area to the next. By the lake you will mostly find apartment buildings and residences; in the villages, detached houses, villas and older buildings, sometimes with tight surroundings.

For a removal company, these differences matter from the moment of the estimate: a flat on an upper floor of a small building does not call for the same equipment as a house with a garden, cellar and outbuildings. In your request, state the type of building, the village concerned and the number of rooms to empty or to furnish.

Port-Valais lies in the canton of Valais, in the Rhône plain: road access is generally easy, which makes it simpler for a lorry to get through. Keep in mind, however, that the heat can be felt in summer, which weighs on carrying days.

Access, parking and floors in Port-Valais

Before booking the lorry, work out where it will be able to stop. In a residential area, a street may be wide enough for a removal vehicle; in the old centre of a village, access is sometimes narrower and the carrying distance longer. Say so frankly: a smaller lorry or extra shuttle runs affect the working time.

Floors deserve the same attention. A narrow staircase, no lift or a bulky piece of furniture (wardrobe, corner sofa, piano) may justify using a furniture lift, which avoids manoeuvring in the stairwell. Measure doors and corridors, and note any tricky passages.

If the lorry, the furniture lift or a skip occupies the public highway, prior permission from the commune or the police may be required. Enquire a few days, or even a few weeks, before the date. The guide on the parking permit for moving day explains the procedure.

Choosing the right time to move to Port-Valais

The timing depends first of all on your lease. A tenant may terminate it 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 longer. Customary dates vary by canton and commune: reread your contract and check local custom. The guide to moving dates in Switzerland helps you find your way.

Dates close to the customary terms are in high demand: removal companies fill up quickly, so it is best to request your quotes early. In summer, the heat is a reason to start early in the morning and to provide water for the crews; the lake and its surroundings can also draw crowds in the good season, which sometimes complicates traffic. If you can, choose a weekday outside peak times.

Formalities when moving to Port-Valais

Every move must be reported to the residents’ registration office (contrôle des habitants): departure in the former commune, arrival in the new one, within the period set by the canton. In many communes the notification can be made online through eMoving (eUmzugCH). Also remember to report your new address to your employer, your insurer, your bank and the services you use every day.

As regards housing, notice must be given in writing. For the family home, termination requires the express consent of the spouse or registered partner. If you cannot meet the notice period or the date, you can be released by presenting a solvent replacement tenant willing to take over the lease on the same terms. The guide to terminating a lease in Switzerland covers these points.

At the move-out inspection (état des lieux), the property must be returned clean and in good condition. On arrival, the rental deposit may not exceed three months’ rent for a home and is paid into a blocked account in your name. If you are arriving from abroad or leaving for France, customs and residence formalities are added: check with the competent authorities before departure.

Useful services for your move to Port-Valais

Residential moving

For a lakeside flat as for a village house, professional removal companies in the area can take care of loading, transport and setting up. Describe the floors and access to get a realistic quote: residential moving.

Packing and unpacking

Crockery, fragile items, books: packing saves time and limits breakage. It can also be entrusted to professionals, with unpacking on arrival: packing and unpacking.

Furniture lift

A narrow staircase or an imposing piece of furniture sometimes makes carrying risky. A furniture lift lets you go through the façade, provided the location is clear and authorised.

Storage

Between two homes, or if you are moving to somewhere smaller, storage lets you keep part of your belongings for as long as needed.

End-of-lease cleaning

To hand the flat back in the condition expected at the move-out inspection, end-of-lease cleaning can spare you a day of work and discussions.

House clearance

Cellar, garage, outbuildings: before leaving, a house clearance avoids carrying what you no longer need.

Request a quote

1. You describe your move online: addresses, volume, floors, preferred date.
2. Professional removal companies in the area contact you, possibly for a visit on site.
3. You compare the free quotes and remain free to choose, or not.

The cost depends on the volume, the distance, the floors and access, the use of a furniture lift, packing and the date. To request a quote, simply fill in the form.

Around Port-Valais

If you are hesitating between several communes, also see moving to Vouvry, moving to Collombey-Muraz and moving to Monthey. For an overview, see the page on moving in the canton of Valais or all communes.

Frequently asked questions