Sébastien spent his first seven years in Muraz, a neighbourhood of Sierre historically linked to Chandolin, back when the wine-racking process meant that the people of Anniviers moved around with the changing seasons. Keen to experience something different, his parents left the valley to settle on the plains. But their attachment to the Val d’Anniviers naturally brought the Bonnard family back to Vissoie in 1980.
Sébastien began his professional career in the kitchen: he completed his first apprenticeship as a cook at Sierre Hospital, followed by a second apprenticeship as a pastry chef, confectioner and ice-cream maker in Sion. Once he had completed both training programmes, he headed to Savatan for basic military training, where he served as a unit quartermaster in the mountain infantry. He then worked in Germany on the Wine Route, followed by a stint at a Michelin-starred restaurant in Geneva.
He returned home, with a wealth of experience under his belt, and went on to spend three years at Alcide Epiney’s bakery in Vissoie; obtained his café and restaurant management certificate; managed the Tignousa restaurant for five years; and then the Café des Alpes for three years. During those years in the kitchen, an idea of a completely different nature gradually took shape – an idea he would bring to life with three of his friends: to buy an old 1941 Saurer coach and restore it. At the same time, he obtained his professional licences and made a radical career change: he became a coach driver.
This new routine gives him something that the restaurant business had never offered him: free time; time that he chooses to devote to local life. He joined the Chandolin Municipal Council in 2012, taking charge of the departments for vineyards, buildings and mountain pastures, before becoming its chairman in 2025. Beyond this role, he never misses an opportunity to get involved, whether it’s baking rye bread for the Société du Village Fang, for example, opening the Bourgeoisie’s cellar for a tasting of Vin des Glaciers, or taking on the role of official mentor to the valley’s new residents.
In 2019, he brought to fruition a long-matured project that combines his passions: spurred on by Bernard Crettaz and Adriana Tenda Claude, he created the panoramic tours in old Saurer buses, a retro journey interspersed with historical commentary presented by prominent figures from the valley. Paul-André Florey, followed by Charly Abbé, and now Simone Salamin and Jean-Marc Caloz – local figures who tackle unconventional yet deeply rooted topics relating to the identity of the Val d’Anniviers, such as architecture, champagne riddling, the hospitality industry, mountaineering and the status of women.
Although he knows the valley like the back of his hand, and is familiar with so many anecdotes, people and stories, he still finds it hard to decide when asked what his favourite spot is: “To be perfectly honest, I think I’m in love with the whole of the Val d’Anniviers”. He does, however, admit to having a soft spot for Ponchet, a place steeped in memories where he loves to spend time with his family and friends. Sébastien, thanks to his commitment, but also his good-naturedness and outspokenness, is a key local figure. He’ll be getting the Vieux Car up and running again on 14 and 21 October for the last two trips of the year. It’s a chance to step back in time – and, above all, to meet this character!
