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Gianadda Foundation
Located in the south of the city of Martigny, the Gianadda Foundation (Fondation Gianadda in french) exhibits various artworks in the form of permanent and temporary exhibitions.
The Gianadda Foundation building.
The Gallo-Roman and automobile museums as well as the sculpture park are permanently on display, while temporary exhibitions by famous artists have enabled the Gianadda Foundation to acquire international fame over the 40 years of its existence. The basement atrium is regularly used for classical music concerts.
MΓ©tΓ©o
Access
A large car park is available right next to the Gianadda Foundation.
Parking lot of the Gianadda Foundation.
History of the Foundation
The history of the Gianadda Foundation begin in 1973 with Leonard Gianadda’s project to build a residential tower close to the remains of Roman buildings such as the amphitheatre.
The year 1976 marked a turning point with the discovery, during excavations on the construction site, of the ruins of a Roman temple and, above all, the accidental death of Leonardo’s brother, Pierre, during a plane crash in Italy.
In memory of Pierre and to highlight the site, LΓ©onard Gianadda changes his plans and decides to erect a building called the Pierre Gianadda Foundation, inaugurated on the anniversary of Pierre’s 40th birthday in 1978.
A commemorative plate for Pierre Gianadda.
After a difficult start, the foundation has acquired an international reputation thanks to the exhibition of works by famous artists such as Picasso, works that are often unknown to the public because of their belonging to private individuals. The foundation has welcomed 10 million visitors during its existence.
The Foundation’s spaces
First Floor Gallery
- Reception
- Gallo-Roman Museum. See details.
The first floor includes the reception and the Gallo-Roman Museum, which displays objects found in the city of Martigny. Admission fees are 18 francs for an adult, 16 francs for those over 60 and 10 francs for children and students.
The reception and sculptures of the Gallo-Roman museum with the famous bull discovered in Martigny in 1883.
Outdoor
- Sculpture park. See details.
- Β The bar, the patio of the gardens open from March to November.
The garden of the Gianadda Foundation has many sculptures and a bar open in summer.
A work of art of the sculpture park and the outdoor bar.
A map of the garden containing the sculpture park.
Basement
- Atrium. Symphony concerts.
- Exterior. Temporary exhibitions. See details.
- Shop
The Basement is located on the site of the ruins of a Roman temple and is used for concerts. The main temporary exhibition is located on the outer surface of the basement. A shop under the stairs offers various items for sale.
The atrium and a work of art during the “Soulages” exhibition.
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The Gianadda Foundation shop.
Corridor
Presents photographs and art collections.
The corridor connecting the first and second basements.
2nd Basement
- Automobile Museum. See details.
- Cafeteria
The Basement presents the most impressive collection of old cars in Switzerland.
The cafeteria and the car museum.
Automobile Museum
Located in the 2nd basement of the Gianadda Foundation and connected to the main building by a corridor. Since 1981, it hosts about forty vintage cars in working order from 1897 to 1939, which are the witnesses of the beginnings of the automobile. The museum makes it possible to give an overview of this illustrious period, but despite everything, there is a certain lack of interactivity between the visitor and the venerable machines.
Cars on display at the Automobile Museum.
A showcase dedicated to Issac de Rivaz (1752-1828) born in Paris to a family from Valais. He is one of the inventors of the combustion engine.
Gallo-Roman Museum
First called Octodure by the Celts in the 1st century BC, Martigny took the name of Forum Clavdii Vallensium under the Roman period. It occupies an important place in the road linking Rome to France and England. The objects presented come from the various discoveries of Roman objects in Martigny and Valais, with the bull’s head discovered in 1883 as the main object.
An image of what Martigny could be in Roman times.
Many remains of Roman times can be found in the immediate vicinity of the Gianadda Foundation. An archaeological walk passes through the Gallo-Roman museum. The Martigny website lists in detail the various archaeological sites of the city.
The Martigny amphitheatre and an old Roman road.
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Sculpture Park
The sculpture park in the garden of the Gianadda Foundation presents dozens of works of art purchased by Leonard Gianadda, including some by famous artists such as Rodin, Miro, Niki de St. Phalle, Chagall or Erni.
The Gianadda Foundation website provides a detailed map of the works in the sculpture park.
Temporary exhibitions
Several times a year, the Gianadda Foundation offers temporary exhibitions on the outer surface of the basement atrium, which have made it famous. Below, some old exhibitions:
- Toulouse Lautrec – 2018
- Cezanne – 2017
- Hodler, Monet, Munch – 2017
- Picasso – 2016
Concerts
The Gianadda Foundation’s atrium hosts about fifteen concerts a year and has in the past hosted famous musicians such as the Polish-born American Isaac Stern and the Italian singer CΓ©cilia Bartoli.
Video
Une vidΓ©o sur la Fondation Gianadda.
Webcam
Webcam on the “place centrale” of Martigny.
Attraction in the canton of Valais
Attractions in the Martigny region
Museums in Western Switzerland
