Saillon: Thermal Baths, Medieval Old Town and Vineyards
Accommodation in Saillon
Saillon sits on a hillside amid terraced vineyards and offers several distinct highlights for a stay: the Les Bains de Saillon thermal centre, a medieval old town and trails through the surrounding area. Since 2005, the village has officially been known as the “Cité de l’asperge”. You can weigh up which experiences to include by considering specific themes and walking times—from culture in the old town to trails along the Salentse.
Medieval Old Town and Stories of Saillon
The medieval old town was built around the year 1000 and is enclosed by a defensive wall with four gates. Tour Bayart, built in 1260 and the symbol of Saillon, offers a viewpoint: its summit is reached via an interior staircase and provides a 360-degree panorama. The old town is also home to the Musée de la fausse monnaie. It tells the story of Swiss money through coins dating from the time of the Gauls to the present day, and also focuses on Joseph-Samuel Farinet, the local counterfeiter. Guided tours are offered by a guide who specialises in counterfeit money.
Near Sainte-Catherine Church, a medieval-inspired garden features several plants that were used in the Middle Ages. The story of Cipolin marble is also part of Saillon’s history: marble from the village was used for the bases of several sculptures in the walls of the Opéra Garnier in Paris. The former marble quarry above Saillon lies along an ascent reaching 1,000 metres in altitude. For safety reasons, it is off-limits; it can only be viewed from outside the barriers. The Association des Amis du Marbre de Saillon-Valais organises visits several times a year under the title “Sur les traces du marbre cipolin”. Check the dates before your trip.
Trails and Views Along the Salentse
The Passerelle à Farinet is a 92-metre-long suspension bridge spanning the Salentse Gorge at a height of 136 metres. From the bridge, the panorama extends across the Rhône plain and Saillon’s vineyards. The flat trail from Les Places to the footbridge takes 15 minutes and is accessible to people with reduced mobility. This information refers to the trail to the bridge. The Via Farinetta offers a different challenge: this via ferrata follows the sheer walls of the gorge and is divided into three sections of increasing difficulty. It is considered the first via ferrata in Valais to connect the plain and the mountains.
For a shorter circular walk, the Sentier des vitraux leads to the Vigne Ă Farinet. The round trip is 2.8 kilometres long and takes about 55 minutes. Along the way, the Sentier des vitraux features 21 works by stained-glass artist Imboden, based on drawings by painter HĂ©ritier. The three vines at the Vigne Ă Farinet bear Fendant, Pinot noir and Petite Arvine grapes, producing a few decilitres of grape juice. The Sentier des oiseaux offers another way to connect with the landscape through a specific theme: its illustrated panels cover local bird species. The northern loop takes 45 minutes and the southern loop 35 minutes. The southern loop is suitable for strollers, although some sections through the forest are a little narrower. Guided visits may vary by season.
Thermal Baths, Wine and Planning
Les Bains de Saillon has pools with a water temperature between 32°C and 34°C; the thermal river is within the same temperature range. The wellness area offers massages, facial treatments and rituals inspired by traditions from around the world. As operating arrangements may change, it is advisable to check the latest information before your visit.
The wine programme also includes regular events: on the first Thursday of every month, the Caveau de Saillon hosts a tasting led by a local winemaker. Check the dates before you arrive. If you’re planning a longer cycling activity, the “Balade Gourmande en VTT Électrique à Saillon” is an approximately four-hour, 20-kilometre experience that includes an interactive quiz, an aperitif stop in the vineyards and a tasting in the wine cellar at the end. Details and availability may change; check before your trip.
For travel, bus route 311 connects Saillon via the Saillon Collombeyres stop with the Martigny CFF, Riddes CFF and Sion CFF railway stations. When planning, you can compare the walking times given above with the longer activities and choose the focus of your stay: local history, views, thermal baths or vineyards.
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Go to the main travel overview: Martigny.
