Immerse yourself in the unusual collections of the Museum of Counterfeit Money and discover the captivating story of Farinet, the counterfeiter of Saillon.
In the heart of the medieval village of Saillon, this unique museum presents the history of Swiss coins, both real and counterfeit. On the menu: coins from the time of the Gauls to the present day, information on the new Swiss banknotes and fascinating stories about Joseph-Samuel Farinet, the local counterfeiter.
Three areas dedicated to coins
The museum is divided into three sections: “Authentic money”, with an overview of current banknote manufacturing techniques; “Counterfeit money”, with a presentation of the sanctions used at the time, as well as recent material seized by the Valais cantonal police; and “Farinet”, the emblematic figure of the counterfeiter with a heart of gold.
A temporary exhibition
Since October, our museum has been exhibiting a 16-metre piece of embroidery created by 250 volunteers from La Bayardine. This work recounts the legend of the tragic love of Guigone and Anselme, which is also the theme of the great medieval festivals to be held in Saillon from 12 to 14 September 2025.
Timetable
| April to October | November to March |
|---|---|
| Wednesday to Saturday: 2pm to 5pm | Friday to Sunday: 2pm to 5pm |
Practical info
Prices
- Adults (aged 16 and over): CHF 5.00
- Children: free
- Groups (from 10 people) : CHF 3.00 / person
- School class: CHF 25.00
Organise a guided tour
Tour the museum with a guide specialising in counterfeiting. You can also discover embroidery with its creator.
Park your car
Park your vehicle in one of the free car parks:
- Place des Remparts, in the village of Saillon
- Place Farinet, at the foot of the village
- Saillon thermal baths
Getting here by public transport
Take the 311 bus from Martigny CFF, Riddes CFF or Sion CFF stations to the Saillon Collombeyres stop. Walk 10-15 minutes to the village.
Restaurants in the village
