Maupertuis Foundation

We here at the Maupertuis Foundation believe that the historical story of degree measuring will both strengthen the local identity of the Torne Valley region in Finnish and Swedish Lapland and attract tourists both from home and abroad.

Maupertuis Foundation was registered in 2006. It is a functional foundation, the purpose of which is to present the history of the French expedition to the Torne Valley in 1736–1737.

The Foundation takes its name from the leader of the expedition, Pierre Louis Moreau de Maupertuis.

The foundation collects and shares information and creates conditions for building cultural and tourism services. Our objective is to promote research, publications and presentations on the history of the degree-measuring expedition.

The Foundation also creates international networks with those working on Maupertuis.

Currently Maupertuis Foundation is focusing on developing the network of measurement points in the municipalities of Tornio, Ylitornio, Övertorneå and Pello into a coherent cultural hiking destination. In the first phase, a digital guide on the measurement points was created. Next, we will start developing guides and signposts for the destinations.

The Board of the Foundation

The members of the Board are elected for three-year terms.

The Board of the Foundation 2024:

Veli-Markku Korteniemi, chair, Keminmaa/Pello
Allan Lehto, vice-chair, Pello
Tarja Konola-Jokinen, Tornio
Juha Alapuranen, Ylitornio
Riitta Yrjänheikki, Tornio
Marita Mattsson Barsk, Övertorneå

The Foundation is represented by Irma Matinlompolo.