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Bas-Valais

Bas-Valais

Martigny, its gorges and the valleys climbing to Mont-Blanc

Activities
32
Towns
15
Altitude
460 à 1500 m

The Bas-Valais revolves around Martigny, the town where the Rhône turns a sharp corner and where the Romans had already set up their crossroads. It works as a base rather than a single destination: from the station, the Mont-Blanc Express heads for Vernayaz and Les Marécottes, and the St-Bernard Express for Orsières and Le Châble. Families come for the municipal pool in Martigny on hot days, for the Pissevache waterfall at Vernayaz dropping 116 metres right beside the road, and for the Trient gorges on their walkways bolted to the rock face. Further up, the Caverne des Géants at Saillon tells the region's story a different way. Higher still, the open-air pool in Verbier and the thermal baths at Ovronnaz stretch the day out at altitude.

Bas-Valais

Family activities in Bas-Valais

Everything to do with your kids in the region. Tell us the constraint of the day and we will show you what fits.

Illustration of the outdoor pool in Verbier facing the Alps

Verbier

Outdoor swimming pool in Verbier: mountain swimming all summer long

0-18 yrs
Illustration of the Municipal Pool of Martigny, outdoor swimming pools

Martigny

Municipal Pool of Martigny: the great summer swimming for families

0-18 yrs
Illustration du cinema Corso a Martigny, entree eclairee et affiches, avenue arboree et montagnes au crepuscule

Martigny

Corso Cinema in Martigny: the town’s second family hall

4-16 yrs Indoor
Illustration du cinema Casino a Martigny, facade eclairee et affiches, rue avec gare et montagnes au crepuscule

Martigny

Casino Cinema in Martigny: the big screen a stone’s throw from the station

4-16 yrs Indoor
Illustration of the Pissevache waterfall in Vernayaz: high waterfall by the roadside, family observing from a viewpoint, mountains of Valais

Vernayaz

Pissevache Waterfall in Vernayaz: 116 meters of drop at the roadside

0-18 yrs Free
Illustration of the Trient Gorges in Vernayaz: wooden walkways along the wall above the torrent, family visiting, narrow canyon of Valais

Vernayaz

Trient Gorges in Vernayaz: a canyon on walkways for the family

4-18 yrs
Earth Science Museum in Martigny: minerals, crystals, and family curiosity

Martigny

Earth Science Museum in Martigny: minerals, crystals, and family curiosity

4-14 yrs Indoor
Giant's Cave and Giant's Head in Saillon – a little family adventure

Saillon

Cave of the Giants and Head of the Giant in Saillon

5-12 yrs Free
EscapeWorld Vernayaz: an escape game that brings the whole family together in Valais

Vernayaz

EscapeWorld Vernayaz: an escape game that brings the whole family together in Valais

8-16 yrs Indoor

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Plan the family outing

Getting there, weather, ages, budget: the answers before you go.

Getting there

Martigny station is the real hub here, on the Simplon line between Lausanne and Brig. Three routes leave from it: the Mont-Blanc Express towards Vernayaz, Les Marécottes and Le Châtelard, the St-Bernard Express towards Orsières and Le Châble, and postal buses out into the valley. Ovronnaz is reached by bus from Leytron. By car, the A9 exits at Martigny, Saxon and Riddes cover the rest.

Good to know: the Mont-Blanc Express climbs steeply and runs through forest above a sheer drop. Sit the children on the valley side, the ride alone justifies the outing.

With toddlers

The Pissevache waterfall is visible from the car park at Vernayaz, five flat minutes away on foot, which makes it one of the rare dramatic waterfalls you can reach with a pushchair. The Trient gorges next door need a baby carrier instead. The municipal pool in Martigny is the simplest answer on hot summer days, and the Roman amphitheatre gives you a big enclosed space to let small children run.

The regional classics

The Caverne des Géants and the Tête du Géant at Saillon fill a good half day. The Casino and Corso cinemas in Martigny are a short walk from the station and rescue a late afternoon. The thermal baths at Ovronnaz, twenty minutes above Leytron, run in any weather and have outdoor pools. And to finish at altitude, the open-air pool in Verbier lets you swim facing the peaks, even in the middle of August, usually a few degrees cooler than down in the valley.

Frequently asked questions

What can you see in the Bas-Valais with a pushchair?
The Pissevache waterfall at Vernayaz is five flat minutes from the car park, which is rare for a 116-metre drop. The riverside paths and the Roman amphitheatre grounds in Martigny also work with a pushchair. The Trient gorges and the Caverne des Géants, on the other hand, call for a baby carrier.
Can you explore the Bas-Valais by train?
Yes, and it is the best way to do it. The Simplon line reaches Martigny from Lausanne. From there the Mont-Blanc Express runs to Vernayaz, Les Marécottes and Le Châtelard, and the St-Bernard Express to Orsières and Le Châble, where a gondola takes you up to Verbier. The Trient gorges and the Pissevache are minutes from their stops.
Where can families swim in the Bas-Valais?
The municipal pool in Martigny is the big summer swim down in the valley, easy to reach from the station. Higher up, the open-air pool in Verbier lets you swim facing the peaks, usually a few degrees cooler. The thermal baths at Ovronnaz take over out of season and in poor weather.

Keep exploring

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Towns and villages

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