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THE CASTLES OF THE HIGH VALLEY
Testimonies of a particularly rich and intense history
Valle d'Aosta is famous for its numerous castles, evidence of a particularly rich and intense history.
This itinerary begins in Sarre about 5 km from Aosta, on the road that leads to Courmayeur, where stands the Castle purchased by the Savoys in 1869 and used by the royal family for hunting stays in Val d'Aosta. Of particular interest is the room with the trophies of hunting parties decorated with hundreds of chamois and ibex horns. The castle is open to the public all year round.
Return for a short stretch to the state road to take the road that leads to Cogne. In Aymavilles you can admire the splendid castle, consisting of a central body with a quadrangular plan and four cylindrical corner towers.
About 3 km from the town of Aymavilles, you could make a brief stop at Pont d'Aël to visit the Roman aqueduct-bridge from the 3rd year BC. Bold construction of a single arch, thrown 52 meters above the stream, this bridge is, thanks to its isolation, one of the best preserved Roman monuments in the Aosta Valley.
On both sides of the highway that leads to Mont Blanc, once you reach Saint-Pierre , there are two castles: the castle of Saint-Pierre and that of Sarriod de la Tour.
The castle of Saint-Pierre , completely different from all the others in the valley, located on a rocky outcrop, has a fairy-tale appearance and forms, with the underlying church with its beautiful Romanesque bell tower, a very picturesque ensemble. The primitive castle, which dates from 1191, was however almost completely rebuilt in the 19th century and today belongs to the commune of Saint-Pierre. Since 1975 it has housed the Natural History Museum of the Société de la Flore Valdôtaine, founded in 1905 and which in 1985 became the Regional Museum of Natural Sciences (flora, fauna and minerals of the Valle d'Aosta). The castle is currently undergoing restoration.
A little beyond this manor rises the castle of the noble Sarriod de la Tour (1393), now home to exhibitions; belonged until the beginning of the 21st century to the same family from which it takes its name, the castle is presented as a set of buildings included within a wall that gives it a particular and characteristic architectural irregularity.
Always flanking the course of the Dora Baltea you will arrive at the village of Villeneuve , huddled against the rock and preceded by a scenic hill on which stands the cylindrical tower of the castle of Châtel-Argent , dominating the walls and the small military chapel. A little further down the splendid church of Santa Maria , historically attested since the 12th century, but certainly older given the presence of wall structures dating back to the 5th century. A.D
About 14 km from Aosta, located at an altitude of 880 m, on a terrace overlooking the Dora Baltea valley, is Introd with its magnificent 13th century castle with a singular polygonal, almost rounded shape, which distinguishes it from all the other manors Valle d'Aosta (which can be visited in the summer months); noteworthy is the adjacent Ola farmhouse , one of the most significant examples of fifteenth-century rural construction in the Aosta Valley.
There are several hiking trails that start from the town of Les Combes, repeatedly chosen by Pope John Paul II for his holidays.
In Arvier, the beautiful La Mothe castle can be appreciated from the outside, whose facade is decorated with a series of overturned keel mullioned windows; the Maison de Mosse is worth a visit, a stronghold built by the lords of Avise between the 14th and 15th centuries along the route of the Roman road and currently home to exhibitions.
Continuing on the state road, you will have the opportunity to make a brief stop in the ancient village of Avise , a strategic point in Roman times on the Gallie road. Here are some of the most evocative manor houses in the Upper Valley: in the capital, near the parish church of Saint-Brice and in an advanced position with respect to the overhang on the river Dora, stands the Castello de Blonay , whose massive square tower dates back to the 11th century. Also not far from the church stands the castle of Avise , built towards the end of the 15th century and still containing valuable examples of wooden furniture and stone architectural elements. Finally, in a panoramic position further upstream from the village, the remains of the ancient stronghold of Le Cré .
Always in place Runaz di Avise the site called Pierre Taillée is located, corresponding to a rocky gorge overhanging the Dora where the Romans had managed to obtain the passage for the direct road to the Piccolo San Bernardo hill; the strong risk of landslides, unfortunately, does not allow you to approach this spectacular stretch of ancient road system.
After crossing the Equilivaz bridge, you enter the municipality of La Salle , a wonderful town in the Upper Valley set on a panoramic morainic terrace exposed to the sun. Of interest is the hamlet of Derby, with its unexpected medieval strongholds that peep out along the main street of the village. Once you get close to the capital, you cannot fail to notice the agile cylindrical tower of Châtelard (a privately owned castle that cannot be visited) which, from above, dominates the entire valley floor.
A few more kms and you will reach Morgex whose pretty historic center is embellished by the fortified complex of the Tour de l'Archet (10th-11th century): the castle consists of an imposing set of buildings leaning against the four sides of the older tower , an exceptional construction, 9 meters on each side with walls over 2.50 m thick, dated before the year 1000. The complex is still accessible by simple visitors and, on the ground floor, a series of panels tell its story and vicissitudes. Furthermore, the tall and massive square tower, recently restored, houses the “Natalino Sapegno” Foundation responsible for studies and research in the field of modern and contemporary European literature.
Restaurants:
Champleval Dessous 1, 11010 Aymavilles
Telephone: +39 338 8842812
Closed on Wednesday
Location S. Maurice, 12 A Sarre
Telephone: +39 0165 25 74 48
44, Hameau Le Clou 11020 – JOVENÇAN
Telephone: +39 3477090208 / 0165 251660
Email: info@lagabellajovencan.com
This itinerary begins in Sarre about 5 km from Aosta, on the road that leads to Courmayeur, where stands the Castle purchased by the Savoys in 1869 and used by the royal family for hunting stays in Val d'Aosta. Of particular interest is the room with the trophies of hunting parties decorated with hundreds of chamois and ibex horns. The castle is open to the public all year round.
Return for a short stretch to the state road to take the road that leads to Cogne. In Aymavilles you can admire the splendid castle, consisting of a central body with a quadrangular plan and four cylindrical corner towers.
About 3 km from the town of Aymavilles, you could make a brief stop at Pont d'Aël to visit the Roman aqueduct-bridge from the 3rd year BC. Bold construction of a single arch, thrown 52 meters above the stream, this bridge is, thanks to its isolation, one of the best preserved Roman monuments in the Aosta Valley.
On both sides of the highway that leads to Mont Blanc, once you reach Saint-Pierre , there are two castles: the castle of Saint-Pierre and that of Sarriod de la Tour.
The castle of Saint-Pierre , completely different from all the others in the valley, located on a rocky outcrop, has a fairy-tale appearance and forms, with the underlying church with its beautiful Romanesque bell tower, a very picturesque ensemble. The primitive castle, which dates from 1191, was however almost completely rebuilt in the 19th century and today belongs to the commune of Saint-Pierre. Since 1975 it has housed the Natural History Museum of the Société de la Flore Valdôtaine, founded in 1905 and which in 1985 became the Regional Museum of Natural Sciences (flora, fauna and minerals of the Valle d'Aosta). The castle is currently undergoing restoration.
A little beyond this manor rises the castle of the noble Sarriod de la Tour (1393), now home to exhibitions; belonged until the beginning of the 21st century to the same family from which it takes its name, the castle is presented as a set of buildings included within a wall that gives it a particular and characteristic architectural irregularity.
Always flanking the course of the Dora Baltea you will arrive at the village of Villeneuve , huddled against the rock and preceded by a scenic hill on which stands the cylindrical tower of the castle of Châtel-Argent , dominating the walls and the small military chapel. A little further down the splendid church of Santa Maria , historically attested since the 12th century, but certainly older given the presence of wall structures dating back to the 5th century. A.D
About 14 km from Aosta, located at an altitude of 880 m, on a terrace overlooking the Dora Baltea valley, is Introd with its magnificent 13th century castle with a singular polygonal, almost rounded shape, which distinguishes it from all the other manors Valle d'Aosta (which can be visited in the summer months); noteworthy is the adjacent Ola farmhouse , one of the most significant examples of fifteenth-century rural construction in the Aosta Valley.
There are several hiking trails that start from the town of Les Combes, repeatedly chosen by Pope John Paul II for his holidays.
In Arvier, the beautiful La Mothe castle can be appreciated from the outside, whose facade is decorated with a series of overturned keel mullioned windows; the Maison de Mosse is worth a visit, a stronghold built by the lords of Avise between the 14th and 15th centuries along the route of the Roman road and currently home to exhibitions.
Continuing on the state road, you will have the opportunity to make a brief stop in the ancient village of Avise , a strategic point in Roman times on the Gallie road. Here are some of the most evocative manor houses in the Upper Valley: in the capital, near the parish church of Saint-Brice and in an advanced position with respect to the overhang on the river Dora, stands the Castello de Blonay , whose massive square tower dates back to the 11th century. Also not far from the church stands the castle of Avise , built towards the end of the 15th century and still containing valuable examples of wooden furniture and stone architectural elements. Finally, in a panoramic position further upstream from the village, the remains of the ancient stronghold of Le Cré .
Always in place Runaz di Avise the site called Pierre Taillée is located, corresponding to a rocky gorge overhanging the Dora where the Romans had managed to obtain the passage for the direct road to the Piccolo San Bernardo hill; the strong risk of landslides, unfortunately, does not allow you to approach this spectacular stretch of ancient road system.
After crossing the Equilivaz bridge, you enter the municipality of La Salle , a wonderful town in the Upper Valley set on a panoramic morainic terrace exposed to the sun. Of interest is the hamlet of Derby, with its unexpected medieval strongholds that peep out along the main street of the village. Once you get close to the capital, you cannot fail to notice the agile cylindrical tower of Châtelard (a privately owned castle that cannot be visited) which, from above, dominates the entire valley floor.
A few more kms and you will reach Morgex whose pretty historic center is embellished by the fortified complex of the Tour de l'Archet (10th-11th century): the castle consists of an imposing set of buildings leaning against the four sides of the older tower , an exceptional construction, 9 meters on each side with walls over 2.50 m thick, dated before the year 1000. The complex is still accessible by simple visitors and, on the ground floor, a series of panels tell its story and vicissitudes. Furthermore, the tall and massive square tower, recently restored, houses the “Natalino Sapegno” Foundation responsible for studies and research in the field of modern and contemporary European literature.
Restaurants:
- IL NOCE E LA STREGA AGRITURISMO: Defined as a real uncontaminated oasis, the agritourism offers genuine cuisine rich in traditional Aosta Valley dishes, reworked with skill and imagination.
Champleval Dessous 1, 11010 Aymavilles
Telephone: +39 338 8842812
- RESTAURANT TRATTORIA DI CAMPAGNA: it is located just seven km from the center of Aosta and a stone's throw from the splendid Royal Castle. The restaurant offers specialties from the Aosta Valley cuisine, fondue, game and mushroom specialities, all prepared with fresh, genuine ingredients.
Closed on Wednesday
Location S. Maurice, 12 A Sarre
Telephone: +39 0165 25 74 48
- LA GABELLA: A few km from Aosta in the heart of the village of Jovençan, La Gabella is born, a magical place, able to reinvent itself over the course of the day, synonymous with a mix of intense and precious emotions that stimulate the 5 senses. Located inside the Relais "Les Plaisirs D'Antan" you will find a refined restaurant that offers typical and traditional cuisine revisited in a creative key. The restaurant was born in the old 17th century stable keeping the original architecture intact, unmistakable in the stone of the time or in the ancient "retze" (feeders) used for seating. In a refined setting but with a strong territorial character there is a rich menu from the Alps, some typical dishes from the Aosta Valley, Piedmont, Swiss Valais or French Savoy, exquisitely revisited in a creative and natural key, a selection of soups and dishes elaborated with products zero kilometres, local herbs and flavours.
Enclosed within centuries-old walls, the restaurant will enchant you with surprising and fascinating dishes such as: pierrades, bourguignonne, raclette, Savoyard fondue, tartiflette, or the exquisite and typical "Favo", broad bean soup. All accompanied by a selection of prestigious local, national and international labels.
44, Hameau Le Clou 11020 – JOVENÇAN
Telephone: +39 3477090208 / 0165 251660
Email: info@lagabellajovencan.com
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