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Fénis Castle - Lignan observatory and planetarium
About 10 km from our structure, continuing on the state road 26 of the Valle d'Aosta, you can reach the Fénis Castle.
Unlike the other castles, built for war and protection purposes, the castle of Fénis is not located on the top of a promontory, but on a slight hillock with no natural defenses.
Combining the characters of the fortification with those of the noble residence, the castle of Fénis was in fact the prestigious representative seat of the major exponents of the Challant family, who equipped it with the imposing defensive apparatus, as well as with elegant pictorial decorations, symbols of power and prestige.
The recovery of the monument is due to Alfredo d'Andrade, who bought the castle of Fénis in 1895 and, after having restored the most damaged parts, donated it to the State. Today the building is owned by the Autonomous Region of Valle d'Aosta.
The castle of Fénis has a pentagonal plan; the corners have circular turrets, except the south-west corner, which has a massive tower, and the south corner, where the tower has a square plan. The keep is enclosed in a double wall with watchtowers connected by a walkway. The manor is accessed by passing through a square tower which had a gate to block the entrance hall in case of danger. The visit on the ground floor develops through the weapons room, the refectory for soldiers and servants, the pantry, and the kitchen equipped with a large fireplace.
We continue going up to the first floor, where we observe the chapel with the adjoining reception room, the masters bedroom, the noble kitchen, the lords' dining room and the courtroom.
The route ends in the internal courtyard, with the semicircular staircase dominated by the valuable fresco depicting St. George slaying the dragon; looking up to the upper floor, you can admire the wooden balconies decorated by a group of wise men and prophets bearing scrolls on which proverbs and moral sentences in old French can be read. Finally, the eastern wall is adorned with paintings of the Annunciation and San Cristoforo.
The last visit takes place 30 minutes before closing.
From October to March: from 10.00 to 13.00 and from 14.00 to 17.00, from Tuesday to Sunday
From April to September: from 9.00 to 19.00, every day
Whole: €7.00
Reduced: €5.00
It is recommended to purchase tickets online on the MiDA ticket platform
Possibility to buy season tickets to visit various sites directly at the castle ticket office.
The provisions do not apply to children under the age of 12 and to individuals with specific medical certification.
Prohibition to introduce bulky backpacks or bags.
Fénis Castle - 11020 Fénis (AO)
Telephone: +39 0165 764263
Internet: www.lovevda.it
Restaurant:
Saturday and Sunday from 12.30 to 15.00 and from 20.00 to 23.30
Passage Rosset, 1 – 11020 Nus (AO)
Telephone: +39 0165 767176
Internet: www.maisonrosset.it Open since 2003, the OAVdA is the only regional astronomical observatory in Italy to have entered into a multi-year agreement for research, teaching and dissemination activities with INAF, the National Institute for Astrophysics. Thanks to the high quality of the scientific work carried out, the OAVdA researchers are associated with INAF.
The instruments park at the Observatory is among the largest in Europe: the Heliophysics Laboratory for group observation of the Sun in safety for the eyesight, the Educational Terrace with seven Cassegrain telescopes with 25 cm aperture, the Teatro delle Stars for observing the sky with the naked eye using special laser pointers. The Planetarium allows you to make virtual journeys in the cosmos between planets, constellations, nebulae and galaxies in computer graphics, discovering the most interesting physical phenomena connected to them thanks to projections made entirely by the staff. Particular attention is also paid to amateur astronomers, who can arrange their instruments in twelve observation areas of 9 square meters each, equipped with power supply towers for electricity and red LED lighting.
Projection at the Planetarium (duration 1 hour).
The following shows are scheduled:
The Sun, our star: admission from 2.00pm to 2.10pm, show from 2.10pm to 3.00pm
Polaris: admission from 16.00 to 16.15, show from 16.10 to 17.00 - as a gift for each child the exclusive pop-up book to build Exoplanets
The great river of the sky: admission from 18.00 to 18.10, show from 18.10 to 19.00
Guided night tour of the Astronomical Observatory (duration 1h30) with reservations required.
Includes guided observation of the sky with the naked eye on the Educational Terrace (according to weather conditions).
Clément Fillietroz Foundation - ONLUS
Saint-Barthélemy - Locality Lignan, 39 - 11020 Nus (AO)
Telephone: +39 0165 770050
Internet: www.oavda.it
Restaurant:
Unlike the other castles, built for war and protection purposes, the castle of Fénis is not located on the top of a promontory, but on a slight hillock with no natural defenses.
Combining the characters of the fortification with those of the noble residence, the castle of Fénis was in fact the prestigious representative seat of the major exponents of the Challant family, who equipped it with the imposing defensive apparatus, as well as with elegant pictorial decorations, symbols of power and prestige.
The recovery of the monument is due to Alfredo d'Andrade, who bought the castle of Fénis in 1895 and, after having restored the most damaged parts, donated it to the State. Today the building is owned by the Autonomous Region of Valle d'Aosta.
The castle of Fénis has a pentagonal plan; the corners have circular turrets, except the south-west corner, which has a massive tower, and the south corner, where the tower has a square plan. The keep is enclosed in a double wall with watchtowers connected by a walkway. The manor is accessed by passing through a square tower which had a gate to block the entrance hall in case of danger. The visit on the ground floor develops through the weapons room, the refectory for soldiers and servants, the pantry, and the kitchen equipped with a large fireplace.
We continue going up to the first floor, where we observe the chapel with the adjoining reception room, the masters bedroom, the noble kitchen, the lords' dining room and the courtroom.
The route ends in the internal courtyard, with the semicircular staircase dominated by the valuable fresco depicting St. George slaying the dragon; looking up to the upper floor, you can admire the wooden balconies decorated by a group of wise men and prophets bearing scrolls on which proverbs and moral sentences in old French can be read. Finally, the eastern wall is adorned with paintings of the Annunciation and San Cristoforo.
The last visit takes place 30 minutes before closing.
From October to March: from 10.00 to 13.00 and from 14.00 to 17.00, from Tuesday to Sunday
From April to September: from 9.00 to 19.00, every day
Whole: €7.00
Reduced: €5.00
It is recommended to purchase tickets online on the MiDA ticket platform
Possibility to buy season tickets to visit various sites directly at the castle ticket office.
The provisions do not apply to children under the age of 12 and to individuals with specific medical certification.
Prohibition to introduce bulky backpacks or bags.
Fénis Castle - 11020 Fénis (AO)
Telephone: +39 0165 764263
Internet: www.lovevda.it
Restaurant:
- MAISON ROSSET: on the ground floor of the main building, once a manor house, there are the dining rooms of the Maison Rosset farmhouse. During the 18th and 19th centuries they were used as canteens for the farm workers. The agritourism restaurant offers diversified menus according to the seasons, respecting the culinary traditions of the region and enhancing the products of the farm.
Saturday and Sunday from 12.30 to 15.00 and from 20.00 to 23.30
Passage Rosset, 1 – 11020 Nus (AO)
Telephone: +39 0165 767176
Internet: www.maisonrosset.it Open since 2003, the OAVdA is the only regional astronomical observatory in Italy to have entered into a multi-year agreement for research, teaching and dissemination activities with INAF, the National Institute for Astrophysics. Thanks to the high quality of the scientific work carried out, the OAVdA researchers are associated with INAF.
The instruments park at the Observatory is among the largest in Europe: the Heliophysics Laboratory for group observation of the Sun in safety for the eyesight, the Educational Terrace with seven Cassegrain telescopes with 25 cm aperture, the Teatro delle Stars for observing the sky with the naked eye using special laser pointers. The Planetarium allows you to make virtual journeys in the cosmos between planets, constellations, nebulae and galaxies in computer graphics, discovering the most interesting physical phenomena connected to them thanks to projections made entirely by the staff. Particular attention is also paid to amateur astronomers, who can arrange their instruments in twelve observation areas of 9 square meters each, equipped with power supply towers for electricity and red LED lighting.
Projection at the Planetarium (duration 1 hour).
The following shows are scheduled:
The Sun, our star: admission from 2.00pm to 2.10pm, show from 2.10pm to 3.00pm
Polaris: admission from 16.00 to 16.15, show from 16.10 to 17.00 - as a gift for each child the exclusive pop-up book to build Exoplanets
The great river of the sky: admission from 18.00 to 18.10, show from 18.10 to 19.00
Guided night tour of the Astronomical Observatory (duration 1h30) with reservations required.
Includes guided observation of the sky with the naked eye on the Educational Terrace (according to weather conditions).
Clément Fillietroz Foundation - ONLUS
Saint-Barthélemy - Locality Lignan, 39 - 11020 Nus (AO)
Telephone: +39 0165 770050
Internet: www.oavda.it
Restaurant:
- VINERIA WINE NOTE: The winery is a must for every lover of wine, good food and history. Typical cheeses and cured meats, rich salads and refined hot dishes, accompanied by a glass of wine or a draft beer, allow you to get in touch with the oldest (and most delicious) traditions of the Aosta Valley. A first part, the Wine Bar, is obtained from the renovation of the ancient cellars of the village.
Just opposite is the Enoteca Gastronomica, where you can taste dishes made with zero-kilometer ingredients that highlight local excellence.
But the real highlight is the dehors, created in the ancient castle of Ponzio Pilato, who stayed here during his visit. Good music and scenographic lighting with suspended lamps accompany the dinner and the tasting: an evocative space that is worth a visit.
If you are looking for a welcoming place to have a good aperitif or have a light dinner, this is the right place for you. You will find sympathy and professionalism to welcome you, in an elegant and at the same time warm and convivial atmosphere.
The Wine Bar was born from the idea of creating a place to taste a wide selection of national and international wines from the Aosta Valley. To accompany the tasting of wines and the best craft beers, the kitchen offers croutons and salads with fresh, zero km products.
Open every day from 11:00 to 14:30 and from 17:30 to 23:00
But the real highlight is the dehors, created in the ancient castle of Ponzio Pilato, who stayed here during his visit. Good music and scenographic lighting with suspended lamps accompany the dinner and the tasting: an evocative space that is worth a visit.
If you are looking for a welcoming place to have a good aperitif or have a light dinner, this is the right place for you. You will find sympathy and professionalism to welcome you, in an elegant and at the same time warm and convivial atmosphere.
The Wine Bar was born from the idea of creating a place to taste a wide selection of national and international wines from the Aosta Valley. To accompany the tasting of wines and the best craft beers, the kitchen offers croutons and salads with fresh, zero km products.
Open every day from 11:00 to 14:30 and from 17:30 to 23:00
Sunday closed
Via Risorgimento 8, 11020 Nus (AO)
Telephone: +39 0165767864
Internet: www.vineriawinenote.it
Via Risorgimento 8, 11020 Nus (AO)
Telephone: +39 0165767864
Internet: www.vineriawinenote.it
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Relais CIR: VDA_SR447 - CIN: IT007020A1XEOS3BUW
Apartments CIR: VDA_SR9006104 - CIN: IT007020B4SZNJ6ZLY
Relais CIR: VDA_SR447 - CIN: IT007020A1XEOS3BUW
Apartments CIR: VDA_SR9006104 - CIN: IT007020B4SZNJ6ZLY
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