Crans-Montana: The Alpine Jewel of Switzerland

• HelloBonjour
  [bon-zhoor]
• GoodbyeAu revoir
  [oh-rev-wahr]
• YesOui
  [wee]
• NoNon
  [noh]
• Please/You're welcomeS'il vous plaît
  [seel-voo pleh]
• Thank youMerci
  [mehr-see]
• Excuse me/SorryExcusez-moi
  [ex-kew-zay mwa]
• How are you?Comment ça va?
  [koh-mon sah vah]
• Fine. And you?Bien. Et vous?
  [byen. ay voo]
• Do you speak English?Parlez-vous anglais?
  [par-lay voo ahn-glay]
• I don't understandJe ne comprends pas
  [zhuh nuh kohm-prahnd pah]

• I'd like to see the menu, pleaseJe voudrais voir la carte, s'il vous plaît
  [zhuh voo-dray vwahr lah kart, seel voo pleh]
• I don't eat meatJe ne mange pas de viande
  [zhuh nuh mahnj pah duh vee-ahnd]
• Cheers!Santé!
  [san-tay]
• I would like to pay, pleaseJe voudrais payer, s'il vous plaît
  [zhuh voo-dray pay-ay, seel voo pleh]

• Help!Au secours!
  [oh suh-koor]
• Go away!Allez-vous en!
  [ah-lay vooz ahn]
• Call the Police!Appelez la police!
  [ah-peh-lay lah poh-lees]
• Call a doctor!Appelez un médecin!
  [ah-peh-lay uh may-deh-sahn]
• I'm lostJe suis perdu
  [zhuh swee pair-doo]
• I'm illJe suis malade
  [zhuh swee mah-lahd]

• I'd like to buy...Je voudrais acheter...
  [zhuh voo-dray ah-shet-ay]
• I'm just lookingJe regarde juste
  [zhuh ruh-gard zhust]
• How much is it?Combien ça coûte?
  [kohm-byen sah koot]
• That's too expensiveC'est trop cher
  [say troh shair]
• Can you lower the price?Pouvez-vous baisser le prix?
  [poo-vay voo bay-say luh pree]

• What time is it?Quelle heure est-il?
  [kell er ay-teel]
• It's one o'clockIl est une heure
  [eel ay oon er]
• Half past (10)Dix et demie
  [dee ay duh-mee]
• MorningMatin
  [mah-tan]
• AfternoonAprès-midi
  [ah-pray mee-dee]
• EveningSoir
  [swahr]
• YesterdayHier
  [yair]
• TodayAujourd'hui
  [oh-zhoor dewee]
• TomorrowDemain
  [duh-man]
• 1Un
  [uhn]
• 2Deux
  [duh]
• 3Trois
  [twah]
• 4Quatre
  [kat]
• 5Cinq
  [sank]
• 6Six
  [sees]
• 7Sept
  [set]
• 8Huit
  [weet]
• 9Neuf
  [nurf]
• 10Dix
  [dee]

• Where's a/the...?Où est...?
  [oo ay...]
• What's the address?Quelle est l'adresse?
  [kell ay lahd-res]
• Can you show me (on the map)?Pouvez-vous me montrer (sur la carte)?
  [poo-vay voo muh mohn-tray (sir lah kart)]
• When's the next (bus)?Quand est le prochain (bus)?
  [kahn ay luh proh-shahn (bus)]
• A ticket (to ....)Un billet (pour ...)
  [uhn bee-yay (poor ...)]

The area now known as Crans-Montana has been inhabited since the Bronze Age, with archaeological evidence pointing to early settlements in the region. During medieval times, the region was a part of the Sierre parish and was primarily used for agriculture and pastoral activities. The strategic location of the area made it a valuable asset for local feudal lords.

The late 19th and early 20th centuries marked the beginning of Crans-Montana's transformation into a tourist destination. Swiss physician Dr. Théodore Stephani played a crucial role in promoting the region's health benefits, leading to the establishment of sanatoriums and the first hotels. The construction of the funicular railway in 1911 further boosted accessibility and tourism.

Crans-Montana became renowned for winter sports in the mid-20th century. The first ski lift was installed in 1951, and the area quickly gained a reputation as a premier skiing destination. The Alpine Ski World Cup has been hosted here multiple times, attracting international athletes and visitors.

Crans-Montana hosts a variety of cultural events and festivals throughout the year. The Crans-Montana Classics, a series of classical music concerts, and the Caprices Festival, which features electronic music, are key highlights. These events have helped shape the cultural identity of the region.

In recent decades, Crans-Montana has focused on sustainable development, balancing tourism with environmental preservation. Initiatives such as eco-friendly hotels, sustainable skiing practices, and the promotion of local culture and heritage have been implemented to ensure the region's long-term viability.

Crans-Montana is located in the heart of the Swiss Alps, in the canton of Valais. The nearest major airport is Geneva International Airport, approximately 180 kilometers away. From Geneva, you can take a direct train to Sierre, which takes around two hours. From Sierre, a funicular or bus ride will take you up to Crans-Montana in about 12-15 minutes. Alternatively, you can rent a car and enjoy a scenic drive through the Swiss countryside.

Crans-Montana is well-connected by public transport. Local buses run frequently and connect various parts of the town as well as nearby attractions. The funicular from Sierre to Crans-Montana is a popular and efficient option. Taxis are readily available, although they can be quite expensive. For those looking to explore the region at their own pace, renting a car is a convenient option, especially for trips to remote areas or ski resorts.

The official currency in Switzerland is the Swiss Franc (CHF). Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants, and shops throughout Crans-Montana. ATMs are plentiful, so withdrawing cash is convenient. It's advisable to carry some cash for smaller establishments or for services like taxis and local markets.

Crans-Montana is generally a very safe destination for tourists. Switzerland has low crime rates, and the area is known for its security. However, it is always advisable to take standard precautions such as not leaving valuables unattended and being aware of your surroundings, especially in crowded places. There are no specific high-crime areas targeting tourists in Crans-Montana.

In case of emergency, dial 117 for police, 144 for medical assistance, and 118 for fire services. Crans-Montana has medical facilities and pharmacies where you can seek help for minor health issues. It is recommended to have travel insurance that covers medical emergencies. For urgent medical needs, the local hospital in Sion, about 30 minutes away, is well-equipped.

Fashion: Do dress in layers as weather can change quickly in the mountains. Ski attire is common in winter, but smart casual is appreciated in restaurants. Religion: Do respect local customs; Switzerland is a predominantly Christian country, and modest dress is recommended when visiting churches. Public Transport: Do be punctual and keep your voice down. Don't eat or drink on public transport. Greetings: Do greet people with a friendly 'Bonjour' or 'Grüezi'. A handshake is common. Eating & Drinking: Do try local Swiss dishes and fondue. Don't rush meals; dining is a leisurely activity here.

To experience Crans-Montana like a local, visit the weekly farmers' market in the center of Crans for fresh produce and local delicacies. Take a walk around the picturesque Lac de la Moubra or Lac Grenon. Engage with locals; they are friendly and often speak multiple languages including French, German, and English. Don't miss out on the wine tasting tours in the nearby Valais vineyards, which offer some of Switzerland's best wines.