Come and visit the Aosta Valley, a land of exceptional landscapes and heritage, well worth your stay.
To visit the Vallée d’Aoste (pronounced « ost »), plunge into the heart of the Alps, at the border crossroads between France,Italy and Switzerland. These international influences are very much in evidence here: history, heritage and culture are widely shared.
This valley is a real gem for nature lovers, but also for those attracted by Italy’s Dolce Vita. Between ski resorts, medieval castles and symbolic mountains, discover a region of extraordinary charm!
1. Aosta
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Anna Nahabed
The town of Aosta lies in the center of the valley, making it an ideal starting point for visiting the Aosta Valley. Aosta gave its name to the valley and is its main town, as well as its administrative capital. Close to the ski resorts, Aosta has the feel of a mountain village.
With its rich history, don’t miss a visit to the Musée Archéologique, with its extensive collection of Gallo-Roman artefacts. Or visit the Roman Wall, with its fascinating remains from Roman times.
Alternatively, linger at Aosta Cathedral, an 11th-century architectural gem that has undergone numerous transformations. Then stop off at the Arche d’Auguste, a sturdy stone arch dating back to 25 B.C.! On a more contemplative note, don’t hesitate to visit Aosta’s historic center, with its narrow cobbled streets.
2. Aosta Valley Observatory
Photo credit: Shutterstock – escapetheofficejob
The Aosta Valley Astronomical Observatory, inaugurated in 2003, is a must-see. As its name suggests, the Observatory uses modern instruments to observe the sky. Experts and amateurs alike can enter the Observatory. In fact, it is part of an educational approach to popularizing astronomical science.
Alongside it, the Planetarium is open to discover, on a slightly more thematic level, what’s happening beyond our Earth, in the cosmos. Don’t miss the « Star Party », an annual event (September) featuring lectures and stargazing evenings.
3. Bard Fortress(Forte di Bard)
Photo credit: Shutterstock – leoks
Built as a citadel atop its rocky outcrop, the Forteresse de Bard was first and foremost a defensive outpost near the French and Swiss gateways. For a very long time after its construction in the 19th century, it retained this military role. Today, a large part of the structure is open to the public, housing various cultural spaces: Musée des Alpes, Vallée Culture, Musée des Frontières…
The Alpine Museum
The main museum is located on the second floor of the Bard Fortress. It’s a somewhat original museum, retracing the long history of the Alps and allowing visitors to discover the present-day life of the area through a wide range of media. Photographs, videos, soundtracks and even objects… A fun way to learn about the history of the Alps and, in a way, to visit the Aosta Valley!
4. The House of Ancient Remedies
Photo credit: Facebook – Maison et jardins des anciens remèdes
Located in Jovençan, the Maison des Anciens Remèdes is a tribute to Alpine medicinal practices. Blended with Valle d’Aosta legends and culture, traditional recipes and remedies are showcased with the aim of perpetuating their use. After all, an old remedy is not an ineffective remedy!
5. GranParadiso National Park
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Stefano Zaccaria
The Grand Paradis National Park covers the entire south-western part of the Aosta Valley, as well as part of the Piedmont region. Covering an area of almost 710 square kilometers, you can enjoy an adventure between snow-capped mountains, wooded valleys and lush green plains. The area is home to a wealth of wildlife, including chamois, marmots, foxes, ibexes and even golden eagles.
As for the flora, expect to come across species typical of mountain areas, such as firs, larches, potentillas and thefox-tailed astragalus, endemic to the valley. Discover also the many lakes and forests that contribute to these unique landscapes.
It’s a protected area dedicated to raising awareness of environmental protection and natural heritage. The park institution regularly organizes activities to this end, such as hikes and bike rides.
Paradisia Alpine Botanical Garden
At the heart of the park, a botanical garden was created in Valnontey in 1955, with the aim of promoting and conserving the flora of Grand-Paradis National Park. More than 1,000 plant species are collected, maintained and exhibited, then classified in different collections (officinal plants, petrography, lichens, or the butterfly trail). A unique way to visit the Vallée d’Aoste through its exceptional unspoilt natural environment!
6. Castles of the Aosta Valley
Photo credit: Shutterstock – leoks
The Aosta Valley’s long medieval history has given rise to many castles over the centuries. Structures still standing today, with incredible, robust architecture. Discover the upper and lower Châteaux d’Arnad, dating from the 12th and 17th centuries respectively. Only the lower castle is open to the public, as it belongs to the region, which has restored it.
The Château de Fénis is also a must-see, both for its pentagonal shape and for its history. It was not built for defensive purposes, as it is in fact a seigneurial dwelling that has been equipped with towers over the years.
Other castles dot the hills and valleys of the Aosta Valley, so don’t hesitate to take a closer look: Aymavilles, Pont-Saint-Martin, Châtillon…
7. Pré-Saint-Didier
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Delpixel
Pré-Saint-Didier is a small village in the Aosta Valley, with fewer than 1,000 inhabitants living here year-round. Yet its charm is incredible, and its thermal springs date back to the 17th century.
But apart from that, it’s also the ideal place for the whole family, thanks to the Parc Aventure Mont-Blanc. In an idyllic mountain setting, with Mont-Blanc on the horizon, you’ll discover playful courses of varying difficulty. But above all, the highest and longest pulley in Europe! Thrills and spills beckon!
To continue your visit to the Aosta Valley, don’t miss the Orrido Gorge, which you can observe from the panoramic Passerelle de Pré-Saint-Didier. This footbridge offers a panoramic view of the entire valley and surrounding mountains, with the necessary signs to help you recognize them. It’s great fun, but you mustn’t be afraid of heights. The walkway is made of sturdy metal, but even the most sensitive may find it difficult to climb.
What else to see and do in the Aosta Valley
- Discover Alpine gastronomy: cheeses (fontina, bleu d’Aoste), charcuterie (Vallée d’Aoste Jambon de Bosses, not to be confused with an industrial ham produced in Isère), wines… ;
- Follow a tour of Italian vineyards: pinot noir, Gamay, red and white Prié grape varieties… ;
- Hiking (all year round): Tour du Mont-Blanc, Matterhorn hike, Gran Paradiso… ;
- Take to the slopes of the ski resorts (in winter): Estoul, Courmayeur, Pont Serrand, Breuil-Cervinia… And Cogne or Rhême-Notre-Dame for cross-country skiing;
- Relax in one of Aosta Valley’s thermal spas: Saint-Vincent, Pré-Saint-Didier… ;
- See the Cascade du Gouffre des Busserailles at Valtournenche ;
- Visit Breuil-Cervinia, Courmayeur, Aymavilles, Saint-Vincent and all the other towns that make up the charm of the Aosta Valley.
How do I get to the Aosta Valley?
The Aosta Valley is criss-crossed by a major highway, which enters Italy via the Mont Blanc Tunnel. This route passes through towns such as Courmayeur, Aosta, Saint-Vincent and Bard. From France, you have two choices: arrive via Bourg-Saint-Maurice from Chambéry or via Chamonix from Annecy or Geneva (Switzerland). And that’s if you choose to arrive by car.
For those wishing to arrive by plane, opt for Turin airport, about an hour’s drive away. Alternatively, Geneva airport is less than two hours away. To find the best options for your flight, don’t hesitate to consult a flight comparator like Skyscanner.
Another option, and not the least important, is to come to the Aosta Valley by train. Very economical in terms of budget, the train is a great ally. Aosta station is relatively well connected to the rest of the country, especially Turin and Milan. But the valley is also well connected, because if some trains don’t go up to the side valleys, many buses with impeccable timetables will.
Where to stay in the Aosta Valley
Being quite a tourist region, the establishments in the valley do absolutely everything to satisfy their clientele. There are many hotels that promote specific activities. For example, wellness (the renowned Wellness network) or those catering to cyclists (Bike Hotels). To find the solution that suits you best, don’t hesitate to use a hotel comparator.
To find out where to stay in the Aosta Valley, define the type of stay you want to make. If you’re visiting the Aosta Valley as a whole, you’ll want to consider hotels, B&Bs or Airbnbs in Courmayeur, Aosta, Jovençan or Saint-Vincent. What’s more, ski enthusiasts will easily be tempted by the mountain chalets, very common on the outskirts of the resorts (or in the resorts, directly).
Map of hotels and accommodation – Aosta Valley