Exactly one year after opening, Barryland confirms its status as an innovative cultural landmark in the Martigny region. Throughout the seasons, it has captivated the hearts of its – mainly Swiss – audience (85%). Conceived by the Barry Foundation, this park is one of a kind. It offers a completely immersive experience in the world of these iconic dogs from the Great Saint Bernard Pass and of national heritage.
In 12 months, Barryland has welcomed close to 135,000 visitors (record day on 28 July with 1475 visitors), i.e. almost double the annual visits of the old museum. Furthermore, 127 meetings have been held at the facilities and 492 groups have opted to incorporate Barryland into their programme. “This is just the beginning: we have even more to give and create together,” says the director of the Barry Foundation, Mélanie Glassey-Roth.
The team
“The park is already almost financially independent, i.e. the revenue from the museum, the restaurant and the shop will soon cover the operating costs and associated wages,” stresses Claude Moret, president of the Barry Foundation. The foundation, which owns the park, currently employs over 90 staff. Most of them work in the canine sections, the restaurant or on reception. There are at least 21 animal keepers dedicated to the well-being of the dogs.
Attractions
“Since the park opened, just two litters have been introduced to the public,” explains Manuel Gaillard, breeding manager at the foundation, who is well aware of how keen visitors are to meet these little balls of fur. In addition, the flagship activity of the museum is unquestionably the dogs’ daily hydrotherapy session, closely followed by the immersive activity with augmented reality headsets at the Great Saint Bernard Pass. For children (especially those between 7 and 12 years old), highlights of the visit are the interactive drawing table and, of course, the presence of the dogs. An audio guide in the form of an online app is due to be launched soon with the aim of further enhancing visits and enriching an experience that can easily last over two hours.
The region
In just a few months, Barryland has established itself as a regional landmark thanks to high visitor numbers and returning enthusiasts. “The increase in visitors to Barryland has helped consolidate Martigny’s position as an attractive tourist destination. Together with other factors, this development has translated into a significant increase in overnight stays, which meant that in 2025 hotels in the town enjoyed their highest occupancy rates of the past decade,” says Anne‑Laure Couchepin Vouilloz, president of Martigny.
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