# Martigny

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

* 46.1002787.0727781 Forum Claudii Vallensium.
* Boulevards.
* 46.1057.069252 Le château de la Bâtiaz. A castle at a mountain next to the town, overlooking it.
* 46.0957.0713 Fondation Pierre Gianadda, Rue du Forum 59, ☏ +41 27 722 39 78. 09:00-19:00 or 10:00-18:00 depending on the exposition. This arts galleries usually hosts art exhibitions of famous artists. There is also a permanent exhibition on the Roman past of the city. (updated Apr 2016)
* 46.095217.074074 Museum of St. Bernard (Barryland), Rue du Levant 34, ☏ +41 27 720 49 20. 10:00-18:00. This 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. Fr. 12/7. (updated Sep 2016)

## Do

* Walk with a Saint Bernard dog, ☏ +41 27 722 65 42, info@fondation-barry.ch. The 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. Price depends on the specific walk, usually Fr. 30-50. (updated Sep 2016)

## Eat

* 46.101017.073761 Café du Midi, Marronniers 4, ☏ +41 27 722 00 03. W-M 09:30-00:00. Restaurant with a lot of fondue variations and other cheese dishes. Also offers quite a big variety of beers. Fr. 22 for fondue. (updated Dec 2016)

## Sleep

* 46.10777.08351 Martigny Boutique-Hôtel, Rue des Vorziers 7 (A five minute walk from the back entrance of the main station), ☏ +41 27 552 10 00, info@martigny-hotel.ch. This 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. Fr. 135/200 for single/double. (updated Nov 2016)

## 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.