Musée des Sciences de la Terre
Museum in the Maison Tissières in Martigny with Valais crystals and minerals and a reconstructed mine.
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About the museum
Alfred Tissières had the house at Avenue de la Gare 6 built in 1906 by the architect François-Casimir Besson. It passed to his son Jules Tissières, a member of the National Council and one of the early patrons in Valais. In 1956 the Union de Banques Suisses bought the building and remodeled it several times until the bank left in 1995. From 2000 the Fondation Tissières moved in; it had been founded in the same year to convey knowledge about the earth sciences and promote nature-oriented tourism. Between 2001 and 2006 the original facade was restored; since May 2006 the tourist office has also been based here.
Activities began in 2001 with the exhibition “Crystals of the Valais and geodetic instruments”, which drew 12,000 visitors in three months. In autumn 2008 the foundation began operating as the Musée des Sciences de la Terre. Its aim is to protect, document and promote the alpine natural heritage around Martigny.
Today the house displays crystals and minerals from its own collection in the permanent exhibition, explains how the Earth's crust and the mountains formed, and is devoted to crystal hunters, whose knowledge has been recognized as intangible cultural heritage of the canton of Valais since 2024. In the basement, a reconstructed Valais mine with ore carts and mining tools introduces the mining of the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Highlights
- Crystals and minerals from the Valais and the Alps
- Reconstructed Valais mine with ore carts and mining tools
- Collection on crystal hunters' knowledge, recognized as cantonal intangible heritage since 2024
- Historic Maison Tissières from 1906
Permanent exhibitions
- Ça brille à Martigny ! Cristaux et minéraux – The permanent exhibition shows crystals and minerals from the museum's own collection and explains how the Earth's crust, mountains and crystals formed.
- Mine valaisanne reconstituée – A reconstructed Valais mine with ore carts and mining tools shows mining in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
- Founded
- 2008
- Operated by
- Fondation Tissières
Admission & discounts
| Adults | CHF 6 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | CHF 3free up to age 10 · Young people aged 11 to 17 pay CHF 3; children aged 0 to 10 are free. |
| Groups (10+ people) | CHF 5 per personPer person. |
| Guided visit for groups of up to 15 people (1 hour, admission included) | CHF 150Free for school classes from Martigny |
Admission covers the permanent exhibition and the current temporary exhibition. MyPrivilege: 50% reduction. Free admission for members of the Association of Friends of the Museum, Raiffeisen members, holders of the Swiss Museum Pass, Abobo (Valais culture pass), the Carte Bienvenue of Martigny and the AG Culturel for under-25s.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 10 |
|---|
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
According to the museum, the exhibition is explicitly intended for families; in the “Coin des enfants” a game is available to download and print.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
According to the museum, about 10 minutes from Martigny station.
Address: Avenue de la Gare 6, 1920 Martigny.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 60 min |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Guided visits for groups of up to 15 people last one hour; for classes from Martigny they are free. |
