Martigny Attractions

On the vine-clad hillside above Martigny (30 minutes from Martigny Ville) can be seen the ruins of the 13th C. castle of La Bâtiaz (destroyed in 1518), which belonged to the Bishops of Sion; the tower was restored in 1898.

This annual two-day festival takes place in late November.

This annual festival takes place in early to mid-August and brings together folk musicians and dancers from all over the world.

The festival also includes a traditional trades fair and conferences.

This traditional festival and market runs for two-days in late May.

In the newer part of Martigny, Martigny Ville, is the attractive Place Centrale, with the 19th C. Hôtel de Ville (Town Hall). Close by is the former inn La Grande Maison, where famous personalities such as J. W. Von Goethe and A. Dumas stayed. Haus Supersaxo (16th C.), at Rue des Alpes 1, is the oldest house in the town.

2km/1mile south is the old-world Martigny Bourg, with the Old Town Hall (17th C.) and the old residence (17th-19th C.) of the bishop's representatives.

The cantonal education department opened the Valais Film Center in 1988, which specializes in films and photographs connected with Valais.

Just south of Martigny on the road to the Great St Bernard, turn right into a road which winds its way up, with a number of sharp bends, through the villages of La Fontaine and Le Fays to the Col de la Forclaz (1,527 m/5,010ft). It lies between the Croix de Prélayes and the Mont de l'Arpille (2,089 m/6,854ft; chairlift; extensive views).

A series of waterways running down the slope have been turned into streams and cascades. The effect is quite impressive, especially when combined with Egidio Anchisi's excellent upkeep of the gardens that share the slope.

Tools and utensils relating to the craft industry and agriculture are exhibited at the Isérables Museum.

1.5km/1mi southwest of Salvan is the summer and winter resort of Les Marécottes (1,100 m/3,604ft; "Reno Ranch" Alpine Zoo (opening times given), natural swimming pool), from which a chairlift 1,470 m/4,823ft long (lower station 1,140 m/ 3,740ft) goes up to Creusaz (1,780 m/5,840ft). The Val de Trient road continues beyond Salvan to Le Trétien (4km/2mi), from which it is possible to reach Finhaut, higher up the valley, but only by rail.

Salvan (927 m/3,041ft) is a health resort, from which a daringly engineered road climbs by way of Les Granges (1,044 m/3,425ft) to the Lac de Salanfe (8km/5mi), an artificial lake 2km/1mi long formed between 1947 and 1952 (1,914 m/6,280ft; hotels; skiing). From Les Granges there is a footpath to the impressive Gorges du Dailly.

From Col des Planches the road descends steeply, with many sharp bends, to Sembrancher (9km/6mi), in the Drance valley, which has a parish church of 1676 with a fine Late Gothic tower.

This annual day-long festival takes place in mid-September to celebrate the return of the cattle from the Alpine pastures.

From Col de la Forclaz a road runs down with attractive views of the Trient valley and the Trient glacier, to Trient (1,305 m/4,282ft), a summer and winter sports resort in a more open stretch of the valley.

After passing through Le Châtelard (1,120 m/3,675ft) it comes to the French frontier, from which it continues over the Col des Montets to Chamonix.

This is a short valley west of Martigny, gorge-like in places, through which the Trient flows to join the Rhône. The steep and narrow mountain road runs northwest through La Bâtiaz, crosses the Trient on the Gueroz viaduct and turns southeast (7km/4mi to Salvan).