Saillon, Municipality in Martigny District, Valais, Switzerland
Saillon is a municipality in the canton of Valais, Switzerland, built on a hill on the right bank of the Rhône between Martigny and Sion. The historic core is made up of old stone buildings, cobbled lanes, and medieval fortifications that are still standing, including the Bayart Tower.
Saillon was a strategic point in Valais during the Middle Ages, when Peter II of Savoy ordered the construction of the walls and towers that still shape the village today. Over the following centuries, control of the area changed hands several times, but the village kept its rural structure and its medieval character.
In the village, there is a small medieval garden that is free to enter and displays plants common to the region between the 10th and 15th centuries. The almond tree is considered a symbol of the village, and its blossoms are one of the most recognizable images associated with the place.
The historic center sits on a hill and is easy to explore on foot, though the terrain is steep and the lanes are narrow. Parking is available near the old walls, and bus connections link the village to nearby towns.
Within the commune stands a very small vineyard called Vigne à Farinet, created as a tribute to Joseph-Samuel Farinet, a legendary 19th-century counterfeiter who lived in the area. This vineyard is considered one of the smallest in the world and is symbolically tended by well-known figures from around the globe.
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