pertour

Pertour is a former municipality in the district of Martigny in the canton of Valais, Switzerland. It was first recorded in local documents in the early 11th century under the name Pertur. The settlement lies on the eastern side of the Rhone valley, near the confluence of the Petite and Grande Boucle streams, and has historically been part of the Val d'Illiez.

The population of Pertour peaked at just over five hundred residents during the late 19th century. The community's economy in that era was primarily based on alpine pastoralism, with livestock herding and dairy production forming the backbone of local livelihoods. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the village adapted to the growing importance of tourism in the Valais region, developing small-scale hospitality services for travelers and seasonal workers.

At the turn of the 21st century, Pertour underwent a municipal reorganization, merging with neighboring municipalities to form the new municipality of Martigny. The merger was part of a cantonal policy aimed at improving administrative efficiency and consolidating public services among sparsely populated regions. Since the merger, Pertour remains a distinct neighborhood within Martigny, maintaining its character as a small alpine community while benefiting from the broader infrastructure and services of the larger municipality.

The area is renowned for its scenic alpine landscape, traditional Swiss architecture, and proximity to popular ski resorts such as Pierra. Efforts have been made to preserve the natural environment and cultural heritage, with local conservation initiatives protecting the native flora and fauna of the Val d'Illiez.