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From the poet's life to his archives, from our cultural projects to our partners, explore the world of Rilke and the Foundation's mission.
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Works written in the Valais
Works in German
During the First World War, Rilke felt unable to complete the Elegies he had begun at Duino Castle. It was not until February 1922 that he overcame the difficulties. After completing the Duino Elegies at the Château de Muzot, he wrote the Sonnets to Orpheus.
Works in French
Rilke had a profound knowledge of French literature. Throughout his life, he wrote letters in French, establishing a vast network of correspondences. However, it was not until he arrived in Valais that he began to write cycles of poems in French: Les Quatrains Valaisans, Vergers, Les Roses and Les Fenêtres.
Places in the Valais linked to the poet
MUZOT
The medieval tower where the poet completed his major works is located in Veyras above Sierre. Today, the building and garden are privately owned. Visitors can follow in the footsteps of Rilke, who undertook walks in Venthône, Mollens and the Bois de Finges.
MUZOT CHAPEL
Rilke carried out some renovation work. Dedicated to the Presentation in the Temple, the chapel was known as "Sainte-Anne" in Rilke's day. The chapel is located near Muzot. It contains an image of the Virgin and a lamp donated by Rilke's mother in 1930. They come from the entrance portal of Rilke's parents' house in Prague. To commemorate Rilke's birthday, the Foundation organizes an annual concert at the Muzot Chapel.
LOÈCHE-LES-BAINS
A single, brief excursion on July 13, 1923. Rilke made his way to Leukerbad, via Varen and along the wild Rhone between Sierre and Leuk, notably in the company of Jean Strohl.
SIERRE
When Rilke arrived in Sierre, he stayed at the Hôtel Bellevue. In what is now the Hôtel de Ville, a Rilke room pays tribute to the poet. The rue Rainer Maria Rilke is also a reminder of the famous guest.
SION
Rilke often visited the capital of Valais, with its hills of Valère and Tourbillon.
RARON / RAROGNE
A visit to Rarogne on August 16, 1921. On Sunday, October 8, 1922, he went there to attend a performance. The local farmers performed a play by René Morax, Die Quatembernacht, in the German translation by Jakob Bosshart. In his last will and testament (October 27, 1925), Rilke chose Rarogne as his final resting place. A memorial room in the Museum auf der Burg, opposite the old church (Burgkirche), is dedicated to his memory. The Fondation Rilke holds temporary exhibitions there.
LENS AND CORIN
On September 30, 1921, Rilke took Baladine Klossowska on an excursion to Lens, a hilltop town between Sierre and Sion. He returned several times to visit Corin's chapel.
PFYN-FINGES NATURE PARK
The space and texture of the landscape inspired Rilke to draw comparisons with music, painting and sculpture. Today, the Fondation Rilke collaborates with the Nature Park by organizing guided walks in the poet's footsteps.
Manuscripts
Thanks to donations and purchases, the Fondation Rilke preserves important manuscripts and letters by the poet. It collaborates with international partners to develop its collections.
Photos
The Foundation's photographic collection, which focuses on the last years of Rilke's life and the history of reception, was digitized in 2025.
Books
The Foundation's library contains rare books, first editions and an extensive research collection. In 2025, the Fondation Rilke acquired the library of the researcher Walter Simon.
Press articles
For over a hundred years, press articles from all over the world have documented the reception of Rilke's works. The Foundation's documentation, based on several specialized collections, is constantly being enriched.
Audiovisual media
The Foundation documents events and concerts. A large collection of scores bears witness to the many musical compositions inspired by Rilke's works.
Research projects
Rilke's letters to Elisabeth von Schmidt-Pauli
Acquisition of ten letters
In 2024, the Fondation Rilke acquired ten largely unknown letters from the poet to the writer Elisabeth von Schmidt-Pauli. The results of the publishing project were published in the journal SINN UND FORM in 2025.
Cultural projects
The Fondation Rilke discovers the collection of artist Sophy Giauque
Presentation of results in September 2026
In 2024, the Fondation Rilke acquired the collection of the artist Sophy Giauque. The results of a research project will be presented in September 2026 as part of a temporary exhibition, accompanied by a publication published by Schwabe.
Historical-critical edition
The Fondation Rilke collaborates with the historical-critical edition of Rilke's works
Despite Rilke's presence on the international book market, a historical-critical edition has long been overdue. Under the leadership of Christoph König, an international team is establishing a new basis for research. The Fondation Rilke hosts the digital hub of this new edition.
Two new volumes
On December 4 at 6pm, the Foundation presents the two new volumes: Das Stunden-Buch (The Book of Hours) and Die Sonette an Orpheus (The Sonnets to Orpheus). The event takes place in the Grande Salle of the Hôtel de Ville in Sierre.
Christoph König, Professor of German Literature and General Editor, Benjamin Krutzky, Editor of the Stunden-Buch, Thedel von Wallmoden, Director of the Wallstein publishing house, and Marcel Lepper, Director of the Fondation Rilke, explain the major project. Actress Miriam Japp reads a selection of poems.
Educational projects
The Fondation Rilke collaborates with schools in the Valais and with the HEP to give students active access to poetry. It offers workshops designed in collaboration with teachers and artists. A selection of the results is on display in the Fondation Rilke Museum. In 2026, the Fondation Rilke supports the Rilke Creative Contest organized by the Goethe Institut in Paris.
When museums inspire children: writing and voice at the Rilke Museum
On January 24, 2025, two 7th grade classes from Granges and Veyras took over the Fondation Rilke Museum for a day of poetry. Between writing, putting into voice, sound and rhythm, the pupils produced original creations, the results of which were filmed to give rise to an exhibition at the museum from June 17 to September 30, 2025. For several weeks, the children's voices dialogued with the poet's in the heart of the museum, the invigorating result of a multi-faceted mediation experience.
As the first step in their poetic adventure, the students learned in class about the poet's life, his sojourns in Europe and his love of the Valais, which led to his residence at Château de Muzot. The students then read a poem from the Quatrains valaisans, attentive to the music and rhythm of a language close to the senses. This sensitive approach guided them in their poetic creation, based on close observation of the place: "From where I am... I see, I feel, I hear...". Working in small groups, the students wrote poems inspired by the landscape seen behind the museum's latticed window, or by an image that inspired them: canopy, grove, dry-stone wall, etc.
These texts were then annotated and put to voice, again collectively, extending the work already begun in class in a teaching sequence dedicated to the sensitive reception of poetry and specially designed by the day's two organizers, Francine Fallenbacher-Clavien and Valérie Michelet.
However, the experience at the museum added a new dimension to this preparatory work: that of a place inhabited by the poet's memory and a suspended time - an entire day devoted to creation. Two complementary workshops enriched this moment: one on voice and body, led by actor Mathias Urban, the other on sound and rhythm, led by musician Youri Rosset.
Once their poems had been written, put into voice and set to rhythm, the students performed their creations in front of the camera, recording this unique experience. Their texts, illustrated and colored, came together to form a long poetic ribbon illuminating the museum entrance.
As a souvenir, each participant - students, teachers and lecturers - left the Rilke Museum with a rosebud donated by their Director: a nod to the poet who often sang of their delicate beauty.
