Martigny
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Martigny (German: Martinach) is a town in the French-speaking part of Valais. It lies in the Rhone valley and is one of the economic centres of the region.
Understand
Martigny looks back on a long history starting out as Gaulish and Roman cities of Octodurus in the first century BCE and Forum Claudii Vallensium around 45 CE. During its zenith the city was a regional capital of the Roman Empire. Traces of this time can still be found in form of ruins around the city.
Get in
Martigny lies on the main train line from Geneva to Brig with trains every 30 minutes in both directions. The Mont Blanc Express runs hourly from Chamonix to Martigny.
See
Forum Claudii Vallensium
Boulevards
Le château de la BâtiazA castle at a mountain next to the town, overlooking it.
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phone: +41 27 722 39 78address: Rue du Forum 59This arts galleries usually hosts art exhibitions of famous artists. There is also a permanent exhibition on the Roman past of the city.
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phone: +41 27 720 49 20address: Rue du Levant 34This museum is dedicated to the Saint Bernard dogs bread in (and originated from) the region. The main attractions are the dogs itself and sometimes when there's a new litter, there are also puppies around.
Do
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phone: +41 27 722 65 42The fondation Barry (named after the famous dog Barry who after the legend saved many people in distress in the mountains) offers walks with their Saint Bernard dogs. The location of the walks varies with the season, but is always in the vicinity of Martigny. In winter there is a sledge (drawn by the dogs) for children. The number of people on the walks are limited and there's usually more people than dogs (around 2 or 3 people per dog), so you won't get to walk the dog for the whole duration of the hike.
Eat
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phone: +41 27 722 00 03address: Marronniers 4Restaurant with a lot of fondue variations and other cheese dishes. Also offers quite a big variety of beers.
Sleep
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phone: +41 27 552 10 00address: Rue des Vorziers 7This hotel is partially run as an integration project for disabled people. It is located close to the main station, but quite far from the main attractions.
Go next
- Chamonix with Mont Blanc
- Aosta Valley, through the Great St. Bernhard tunnel or the magnificent eponymous mountain pass.
- Visit Finhaut, a small village between Chamonix in France and Martigny in Switzerland. It is located at 1223 meters and is of pastoral economy. The backcountry feel of Finhaut is well known through its history along with Les Marecottes and Le Salvan and Le Triente when the English built the Mont Blanc Express cog train 100 years ago. The Mont Blanc Express still runs from Martigny to Chamonix and stops in Finhaut on its way. Lac d'Emosson is a reservoir partially located in the municipality.