Lower Aosta Valley

<< Aosta Valley

East of Aosta, the Dora Baltea river crosses the Aosta Valley flowing toward Piedmont. Several beautiful small mountain towns and villages are located here, while the lateral valleys house numerous ski resort at the foot of some of the most prominent peaks in the Alps. Due to its natural beauty, this area is very popular among tourists.

Fénis

Fénis is a small town in Aosta Valley, located east of Aosta. The village is best known for hosting one of the most impressive castles in the region.

✪ Fénis Castle

The Fénis Castle (Castello di Fénis/Château de Fénis) is among the most famous and best preserved medieval castles in Aosta Valley, and a symbol of the entire region. Erected in the Late Middle Ages, its current appearance dates between the 14th and 15th century, also featuring some later additions. It was used as a residence by local lords, but it was later abandoned. Now restored, the castle serves as a museum and it hosts various historic decorations and frescoes.

Valtournenche

Valtournenche is a municipality occupying part of the valley of the same name in Aosta Valley, near the border with Switzerland. The area is a popular tourist destination and ski resort due to its proximity to the Matterhorn.

✪ Breuil-Cervinia

Breuil-Cervinia is one of the most popular ski resorts in Italy, located on the southern side of the Cervino/Cervin/Matterhorn, one of the highest summits of the Alps. The area is famous for its breathtaking natural environment and it is a busy destination both in winter and in summer. A series of cable cars links the village with some of the surrounding peaks, and the town of Zermatt on the Swiss side.

Châtillon

Châtillon is a town located east of Aosta in Aosta Valley. Over the centuries, it developed as a local center of commerce due to its central position in the region.

Ussel Castle

The Ussel Castle (Castello di Ussel/Château d’Ussel) is a medieval castle located on top of a hill overlooking Châtillon. The fortress was built in the 14th century but it was abandoned only after a few decades. Now restored, it houses a museum of local history and it preserves many of its original features and decorations.

Saint-Vincent

Saint-Vincent is a town in eastern Aosta Valley. The city is a popular tourist destination thanks to its hot springs and one of the few casinos in Italy, but it also features a few historic structures.

Baths of Saint-Vincent

The Baths of Saint Vincent (Terme di Saint-Vincent/Thermes de Saint-Vincent) is a thermal establishment first opened in the 18th century. The spa was often visited by members of the Savoy family and many other nobles, becoming a popular destination for rich people. The baths have been recently restored and are still in operation today.

Verrès

Verrès is a town located in a valley in southeastern Aosta Valley. The village was for centuries a center of regional importance thanks to its castle and religious complex.

Verrès Castle

The Verrès Castle (Castello di Verrès/Château de Verrès) is a fortification erected in the 14th century on a hill overlooking Verrès. The castle was important during the Renaissance, but its relevance later declined. Now it hosts a museum and it features some historic decorations.

Provostship of Saint-Gilles

The Provostship of Saint-Gilles (Prevostura di Saint-Gilles/Prévôté de Saint-Gilles) is a religious complex in Verrès. The complex includes various buildings erected between the Late Middle Ages and the 19th century. During its golden age, it was among the most important religious centers in the area, ruling over various parishes.

Issogne

Issogne is a municipality in Aosta Valley, located in the southeast of the region. The municipality is centered in La Place, a village that developed since the Late Middle Ages around a castle.

Issogne Castle

The Issogne Castle (Castello di Issogne/Château d’Issogne) is a fortress erected in the 12th century, with various later additions. Around the Renaissance the castle was among the most important ones in the region, and to this day it still features numerous decorations and frescoes from that period.

Bard

Bard is a small mountain village in Aosta Valley. The hamlet has various historical buildings and it is famous for its large fortress.

✪ Fort Bard

Fort Bard (Forte di Bard/Fort de Bard) is a large fortified complex located on a hill overlooking Bard, on the site of an ancient medieval fortification. In 1800, 400 Italian soldiers blocked here the 40,000 soldiers of Napoleon’s army for two weeks. Napoleon was so annoyed at the resistence he faced in Bard that he later ordered the fort to be completely demolished. The current fort was erected during the 1830s by the House of Savoy, but it was abandoned a few decades later. Now restored, it houses the Museum of the Alps (Museo delle Alpi/Musée des Alpes), which includes exhibits on the history of the Alps and the fort.

Pont-Saint-Martin

Pont-Saint-Martin is a village in southeastern Aosta Valley, at the border with Piedmont. The area was crossed by an ancient Roman road connecting the Po Valley with Gaul, and it takes its name from a historic bridge.

Pont Saint-Martin

Pont Saint-Martin is a Roman bridge erected in the 1st century BCE along the ancient road that connected the Po Valley with Gaul. The bridge is one of the largest and best preserved of its kind, and it is still used to this day.

Gressoney-Saint-Jean

Gressoney-Saint-Jean is a small town in northeastern Aosta Valley. Together with nearby Gressoney-La-Trinité it is inhabited by the German-speaking Walser community. The two towns are popular ski resorts thanks to their proximity to Monte Rosa.

Savoy Castle

The Savoy Castle (Castel Savoia/Château Savoie) is an elaborate villa erected in eclectic style by the Savoy family between 1899 and 1904. The villa offers a great view on the surrounding mountains, and it features a botanical garden.