Studio Adrien Gardère

At the heart of Sion’s old town, the Jesuit Church provides a remarkable setting for a collection of 23 Neolithic stelae. The scenography creates a dialogue between the building’s Neoclassical architecture and the monumental presence of the works. It invites visitors to encounter these striking stone figures directly, offering insights into the social structures, beliefs and power dynamics of Alpine communities in the 3rd millennium BCE.

To discover the stelae displayed throughout the nave and choir of the church, visitors are invited to move freely across two monumental platforms. Careful attention to positioning, lighting and sightlines enhances the layered history of the stelae, the archaeological excavation process and the heritage character of the site.

Designed for all audiences, the exhibition places cultural interpretation at its heart. Large-scale projections, illustrations, a model and audio guides reveal details that are often invisible to the naked eye, while helping visitors understand the stelae’s different lives—from their making and use to their rediscovery by archaeologists.