Musée de la fausse monnaie
Museum in the village centre of Saillon on the history of genuine and counterfeit money and the legendary forger Farinet.
No sound? Check your device’s silent switch.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Musée de la fausse monnaie opened in 1976 in the medieval village centre of Saillon. It is housed in a 17th-century village house and tells the story of Swiss money, both genuine and counterfeit.
The tour is divided into three areas. The first shows genuine money, with coins from Gallic times to the present, and gives an overview of how banknotes are produced today. The second is devoted to counterfeiting: it shows the punishments of earlier times and confiscated material from more recent cases, provided by the Valais cantonal police. The third area belongs to Joseph-Samuel Farinet, the famous counterfeiter of Saillon, regarded as a forger with a heart of gold and presented here between myth and reality.
Highlights
- Coins from the Gauls to the present day
- Insight into how today's Swiss banknotes are made
- Seized counterfeit money and past punishments for forgers
- The counterfeiter Farinet between myth and reality
- Medieval village centre of Saillon
Permanent exhibition
- Echtes Geld, falsches Geld und Farinet – Three areas: genuine money with banknote production, counterfeit money with past punishments and confiscated material, and the counterfeiter Farinet.
- Founded
- 1976
Admission & discounts
| Adults | CHF 5 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 15 · Children free; adult rate from 16 years |
| Groups (10+ people) | CHF 3 per personGroups of 10 or more people, price per person |
| School class | CHF 25flat rate per class |
Adults from 16 years CHF 5, children free.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Saillon Collombeyres
Bus 311 from Martigny, Riddes or Sion station to Saillon Collombeyres, then a 10 to 15 minute walk to the village centre.
By car
Free parking
Free parking at Place des Remparts (in the village centre), Place Farinet (at the foot of the village centre) and at the Bains de Saillon.
Amenities & dining
- Museum shop
Restaurants in the village centre: Café de la poste, Caveau de Saillon, Nouvo Bourg.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Guided tours with a guide specialising in counterfeit money can be booked, also outside opening hours; group and school visits via Saillon Tourisme. |
