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Kidora
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Added on 27 July 2026
Saint Bernard dogs, giant crystals, vintage cars and a former prison turned exhibition centre: museums in Valais have a real talent for speaking to children.
Whether for a rainy day, a cool break in high summer or a cultural afternoon, here are our favourite visits between Sion, Martigny and the villages.
In Sion
- Le Musée de la nature du Valais: alpine wildlife, rocks and the seasons told at child height. A calm, clever visit, perfect all year round.
- Le Musée d’Art du Valais: a visual journey that speaks to children and adults alike, in the heart of the old town.
- Le Pénitencier: a former prison turned exhibition centre. The place alone gets children talking, and the temporary exhibitions are often designed with families in mind.
Good to know: the cantonal museums of Valais regularly offer free entry on the first Sunday of the month. Check the conditions on their official websites before your visit.
In Martigny
- Barryland: THE children’s favourite museum in Valais, with its adorable and very much alive Saint Bernard dogs. You discover alpine history while getting close to these big-hearted heroes.
- La Fondation Pierre Gianadda: major exhibitions, a Gallo-Roman museum, a sculpture garden and its astonishing Musée de l’Automobile where vintage cars amaze young and old.
- Le Musée des Sciences de la Terre: children handle rocks and crystals and discover how the Alps were formed. Small, quiet and fascinating.
In the villages
- Le Musée Le Grand Lens, in Lens: life in Valais in times gone by, told through objects and village stories. A short, endearing visit, to combine with a walk.
- The museum of minerals and fossils in Rougemont, just over the border in the canton of Vaud, rounds off a weekend between Le Pays-d’Enhaut and Valais nicely.
Our tips for a successful visit with children
- Aim for an hour of visiting, no more, for under-8s: better to leave on a good impression than to end up negotiating.
- Give them an observation mission: find the biggest crystal, count the dogs, spot an animal hidden in a painting.
- Combine a museum with the outdoors: Barryland then the little Baladeur train in Martigny, or a museum in Sion then the Domaine des Îles.
- On scorching days, museums offer welcome cool during the hottest hours.
Want to explore further? Browse all the museums for children in Valais and all the activities in Valais.
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Frequently asked questions
Which museum should you visit in Valais with children?
Barryland in Martigny, with its living Saint Bernard dogs, is the great family favourite. The Musée de la nature in Sion and the Musée des Sciences de la Terre in Martigny are big hits with curious little ones.
Are museums in Valais free for children?
Many museums have reduced rates or free entry for young children, and the cantonal museums regularly offer free entry on the first Sunday of the month. Check the conditions on the official websites.
Which museum in Valais suits a 4-year-old?
Barryland works from the earliest age thanks to the dogs, and the Musée de la nature du Valais in Sion captivates little ones with its alpine animals. Plan short visits — an hour is enough at that age.
What can you combine with a museum in Martigny?
The little Baladeur tourist train lets you discover the town without tiring young legs, and the Roman amphitheatre can be visited freely. Enough for a fine day of culture and fresh air.
Michael @ Kidora
Kid Adventure Planner