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Brig, null

Brig

Brig (officially Brig-Glis) is the historic capital of the Upper Valais, strategically positioned at the northern foot of the Simplon Pass -- the great Alpine crossing between Switzerland and Italy that Napoleon turned into a highway. The town is dominated by the Stockalper Palace, the largest private Baroque palace in Switzerland, built by the 17th-century trade baron Kaspar Jodok von Stockalper. As a major railway junction where the Glacier Express, Lotschberg, and Simplon lines converge, Brig is one of the most important transit hubs in the Swiss Alps. Zurich to Brig takes 2 hours by direct IC train; Zermatt is 1 hour 20 minutes away.

Brig (officially Brig-Glis) is the historic capital of the Upper Valais, strategically positioned at the northern foot of the Simplon Pass -- the great Alpine crossing between Switzerland and Italy that Napoleon turned into a highway. The town is dominated by the Stockalper Palace, the largest private Baroque palace in Switzerland, built by the 17th-century trade baron Kaspar Jodok von Stockalper. As a major railway junction where the Glacier Express, Lotschberg, and Simplon lines converge, Brig is one of the most important transit hubs in the Swiss Alps. Zurich to Brig takes 2 hours by direct IC train; Zermatt is 1 hour 20 minutes away.

En bref : Brig (Brigue en francais) est une ville a la croisee des chemins dans le Haut-Valais, celebre pour le palais Stockalper -- le plus grand batiment baroque prive de Suisse -- et sa position strategique au pied du col du Simplon, entre la Suisse et l'Italie. Noeud ferroviaire important sur la ligne du Glacier Express et la ligne du Lotschberg, Brig est le point de depart ideal pour explorer le Valais, le glacier d'Aletsch et les thermes de Leukerbad.

En bref
Region Haut-Valais
Canton Valais
Altitude 678 m
Population 13'500 (agglomeration Brig-Glis)
Langue Allemand (Walliserdeutsch) ; francais et anglais compris
Acces Zurich : 2h (IC via Lotschberg) / Geneve : 2h 20min / Zermatt : 1h 20min / Milan : 2h
Swiss Travel Pass Entierement valable
Duree de sejour 1 jour ou 1 nuit
GPS 46.3167, 7.9878

Les 5 incontournables

1. Visiter le palais Stockalper

Le Stockalperschloss est le plus grand edifice baroque prive de Suisse, construit entre 1651 et 1671 par Kaspar Jodok von Stockalper, le « roi du Simplon ». Trois tours dorees couronnent ce palais imposant, entoure d'un jardin italien. Visites guidees : CHF 10. GPS : 46.3153, 7.9883.

2. Traverser le col du Simplon

La route historique du Simplon (2'005 m), construite par Napoleon en 1805, relie Brig a Domodossola en Italie (65 km). En train, le tunnel du Simplon (19,8 km, l'un des plus longs tunnels ferroviaires du monde) traverse la montagne en 20 minutes. En car postal, la route panoramique est ouverte de mai a octobre.

3. Excursion au glacier d'Aletsch (UNESCO)

Le plus grand glacier des Alpes (23 km) est accessible en telecabine depuis Betten ou Fiesch, a 20 minutes en train de Brig. La vue depuis l'Eggishorn (2'927 m) sur le glacier est inoubliable. Inscrit au patrimoine mondial UNESCO.

4. Explorer la vieille ville

Le centre historique de Brig, avec ses rues etroites et ses maisons patriciennes, se parcourt en une heure. L'eglise des Jesuites et le Sebastianskapelle meritent une visite.

5. Prendre le Glacier Express

Brig est un arret majeur du Glacier Express entre Zermatt et Saint-Moritz. C'est ici que les itineraires du Lotschberg et du Simplon convergent, faisant de la ville un carrefour ferroviaire essentiel.

Hebergement

Hotel Prix/nuit (DZ) Notes
Hotel Victoria CHF 160--260 Belle Epoque, pres de la gare
Hotel de Londres CHF 120--200 Central, bon rapport qualite-prix

Source : ch.tours | Derniere mise a jour : mars 2026

Planifier

Itinéraires dans null

Plans de voyage sur plusieurs jours pour profiter au maximum de votre visite.

1
Jour 1
moderate

10-Day Complete Switzerland — The Ultimate Itinerary

2
Jour 2
moderate

10-Day Grand Tour of Switzerland — The Complete Circle

3
Jour 3
moderate

3-Day Bern & Region Explorer — Capital, Cheese Country & Alpine Lakes

Questions fréquentes

Tout ce que vous devez savoir pour visiter Brig.

### Is Brig worth visiting?

Yes, Brig is worth visiting for the Stockalper Palace alone -- it is one of the most impressive and least-known historic buildings in Switzerland. Combined with the atmospheric Old Town, the Simplon Pass connection, and the excellent railway access to Zermatt and the Aletsch Glacier, Brig offers far more than a transit stop. Most visitors are surprised by how much character this small town has.

How many days do you need in Brig?

A half-day (2--3 hours) is sufficient to see the Stockalper Palace and Old Town, making Brig an excellent layover stop between trains. One overnight stay allows you to add a Simplon Pass excursion or an evening at Brigerbad thermal baths. As a base, 2--3 nights allows day trips to Zermatt, Aletsch Glacier, Domodossola, and the Lotschental.

How do you get to Brig from Zurich?

Take a direct IC train from Zurich HB. The journey takes 2 hours and trains run hourly. A second-class ticket costs CHF 64 (free with Swiss Travel Pass). No changes required.

What is the Stockalper Palace?

The Stockalper Palace (Stockalperschloss) is the largest private Baroque palace in Switzerland, built between 1651 and 1671 by Kaspar Jodok von Stockalper, a merchant baron who controlled trade over the Simplon Pass. Its three towers with golden onion domes, Italian-style courtyard, and elaborate interiors make it a unique architectural landmark in the Swiss Alps.

Is the Swiss Travel Pass valid for Brig?

Yes, the Swiss Travel Pass covers all trains to Brig (SBB, BLS, MGB), PostBuses over the Simplon Pass, the train to Zermatt, and provides 50% discounts on Aletsch Arena cable cars. It also covers the Glacier Express route (regular trains) -- only the panoramic supplement is extra.

Can you visit Brig as a day trip from Zurich?

Yes, with 2 hours each way by direct IC train, a day trip from Zurich allows 4--6 hours in Brig. This is enough for the Stockalper Palace, Old Town, and a meal. However, day-tripping from Zurich through Brig to Zermatt is a long day (3+ hours each way to Zermatt), so an overnight in Brig or Zermatt is more comfortable.

Is Brig a good base for visiting Zermatt?

Yes, Brig is a practical (and more affordable) base for visiting Zermatt, which is 1 hour 20 minutes away by MGB train. Hotels in Brig are significantly cheaper than in Zermatt, and the train connection is reliable and scenic. However, for more than a day trip to Zermatt, staying in Zermatt itself is more convenient.

What is the Simplon Pass?

The Simplon Pass (2'005 m) is a historic Alpine crossing between the Upper Valais (Switzerland) and the Piedmont region (Italy). Napoleon ordered the construction of the first modern pass road in 1800--1805. Today it is a scenic driving and PostBus route, open from approximately May to November. The Simplon railway tunnel (19.8 km, opened 1906) runs below the pass year-round.

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