Travel Guide Martigny

In this town of 21,000 inhabitants, located on the bend of the Rhône, history and culture mingle. In summer, don't miss a visit to the Château de la Bâtiaz, built in the 13th century. From the top of its keep, you can admire a magnificent panorama of the entire Rhône plain. Also worth a visit are the Manoir de la Ville, an imposing 18th-century patrician's house converted into an exhibition venue, the parish church housing the remains of Valais' first Paleochristian cathedral, and the Semblanet mill, a listed historic monument. But above all, Martigny is home to the famous Fondation Pierre Gianadda, which presents art exhibitions of the highest calibre. Another point of interest at the foot of the legendary Grand Saint-Bernard Pass, adjacent to Martigny's Roman amphitheatre, is the museum dedicated to the pass and the Saint-Bernard dogs, which will take you to the heart of the history of the legendary rescuer of the Alps. In summer, the roads around Martigny are lined with apricot orchards. Ripe fruit sold direct from the growers.