In the Alps, soapstone has been heating homes for centuries. This remarkable material stores the heat from the fire and then releases it gently, long after the flames have gone out. A soapstone stove is more than just a heating appliance: it is a living piece of heritage.
A stone that retains heat
Soapstone has an exceptional ability to store heat. Heated by a high-efficiency firebox, a substantial mass of stone absorbs the energy from the fire and then releases it as gentle radiant heat for many hours, often for up to twelve hours after the last fire.
This enveloping heat, without sudden temperature fluctuations or blasts of hot air, is particularly pleasant and comfortable. You light the stove twice a day, and the room remains evenly warm throughout the day.
Expertise inherited from the Alps
Used since the Iron Age for cooking and heating, soapstone gave rise to a genuine tradition of masonry heaters throughout the Alpine regions. In Valais, historic stoves dating back to the 16th century can still be admired, bearing witness to expertise passed down from generation to generation.
Each stove is designed and built to measure and can be personalised with a sculpture, date, mouldings, stepped courses, bush-hammered surfaces and other details that echo the aesthetics of traditional models while adapting perfectly to a contemporary interior.
Restore rather than replace
Many old stoves are still found in chalets and village houses. Rather than replacing them, it is often possible to restore them: they are dismantled, refurbished and modernised around a high-performance firebox, while complying with current standards.
An old round or square stove can therefore be returned to its original position, built into a wall or converted into a four-sided model. It is a way of preserving this heritage while benefiting from efficient heating.
A project to create together
Creating or restoring a soapstone stove is a unique project at the crossroads of craftsmanship and modern comfort. We design each piece to measure and work throughout the canton of Valais. Contact us to bring your stove to life — or give it a second life.
Planning a wood-heating project in Valais? Let’s talk.
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