Aosta Eight Itineraries To Visit the Valley

Enrico Massetti

The highest mountains in Europe are in the Aosta Valley, medieval castles to protect the roads across the Alps, used since the Roman Empire. Also, agricultural traditions are still alive today, and the most sophisticated and advanced facilities for skiing in resorts are frequented by millions of skiers worldwide. These villages can be reached only by cable car and do not have a road for vehicles. These natural parks protect flora and fauna. This book on the Valle d'Aosta tells all this and more. It describes eight routes to visit all the localities of the Valley.

Valle d'Aosta is a vertical region, you might say, in the physical sense, for the many high peaks surrounding it, including Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in Europe at 4,807 meters. Nevertheless, this region of such reduced dimensions has a surprising concentration of so many natural splendors, of so many monuments, of so much precious historical and artistic heritage. In its vertical aspect, their density evokes the crowding of skyscrapers in a metropolis where horizontal urban space is scarce and precious.

Aosta, the regional capital and the only province of the Valley, is rich in history. Traces of the ancient Augusta Pretoria (the Latin name of Aosta) can easily be seen, such as the magnificent Arch of Augustus (25 B.C.) and the Roman Theatre remains. For Aosta, the Middle Ages were anything but dark: as an important center of commercial traffic with France and Switzerland, the city enjoyed an extended period of prosperity. It is no coincidence that the Cathedral and Church of St. Ursus are two churches of great beauty, dating back to the Middle Ages.

This guide covers visits to the mountain region of Aosta Valley, describing eight itineraries to visit the Valley. The locations covered are the city of Aosta, the lower Valley with its castles, a visit to Cogne and the Gran Paradiso Park, a visit to Morgex, La Thuile and the Piccolo San Bernardo Pass, Courmayeur, Valpelline and the Gran San Bernardo Pass, and all the villages of the Valtournenche Valley.

There are extensive descriptions and 250 color photos of the attractions.

It lists many reviews for the best-recommended restaurants for all the locations; you have the necessary information ready: the name, address, and telephone number are included in the guide together with the review.

It includes a final chapter on the typical regional cuisine, complete with photos of the dishes.

Author Enrico Massetti

Publisher Massetti Publishing Washington DC, USA

Print Book: 247 Color Pages A5 (5.83 x 8.27 in / 148 x 210 mm)

218 color images

EDIZIONE IN ITALIANO

Table of content

Aosta Valley
The Top ski areas – Cervinia
The Top ski areas – Courmayeur
Agricultural traditions of the Valley
Regional BatailleTraditional agricultural architecture
Triatel Petit Monde Museum
A vacation in the Valley
Aosta – the city
Roman Aosta
Aosta Valley Castles
1st itinerary – The lower valley and its castles
Verrès Castle
The Issogne Castle
The frescoes
Artisans in the lunettes
Ceilings and decorations
The Ussel Castle
The Cly Castle
The Fénis Castle
2nd itinerary from the Sarre Castle to Cogne
Sarre Castle
The Introd Castle
The Aymavilles Castle
Ozein
Pondel Bridge
Cogne
The Gran Paradiso National Park
Valnontey – Paradisia Gardens
Paradisia Garden
3rd itinerary Aosta – Saint-Pierre – Morgex – Colle San Carlo – La Thuile – Piccolo San Bernardo Pass.
Châtel-Argent Castle
Morgex
Colle San Carlo
Lake of Arpy
Colle San Carlo Fortresses
La Thuile
Piccolo San Bernardo
4th Itinerary Aosta – Valpelline – Great Saint Bernard
Aosta
Valpelline
Bionaz
Ollomont
Porossan
Great St Bernard Pass
Grand Saint Bernard Route
5th itinerary Pré-Saint-Didier – Courmayeur
Mont Blanc
Courmayeur
Entrèves
Val Veny
Val Ferret
6th itinerary Verrès – Ayas Valley – Joux Pass – Saint Vincent
Monterosa Ski
Antagnod
Saint Vincent – Casino de la Vallée
7th itinerary Pont-Saint-Martin – Donnas – Gressoney Valley
Plan du Juc
Gressoney
History, Walser culture, and language
Gressoney La Trinité
8th itinerary Valtournenche – Matterhorn Valley
Lago Azzurro (Blue Lake)
Chamois
Cheneil
La Magdeleine
Valtournenche
Torgnon
Antey – Saint André
Viticulture Valle d’Aosta
Food & Recipes