Valle d'Aosta - a picturesque alpine valley! Valle d'Aosta. Italy How to get to Valle d'Aosta
Valle d'Aosta (“Aosta Valley”) is the northwestern region of Italy, and the smallest in this country, with an area of just over three thousand square kilometers and a population of just over 120 thousand people. But it borders on two states at once: France in the west, and Switzerland in the north.
There was a time when the local separatist movement fought for the annexation of the Aosta Valley to France. In order to calm the separatists, the region was given a special status by equating the French language with Italian (so-called bilingualism). This has been going on for hundreds of years, so the locals know French well, although now it has essentially been supplanted by the Italian language, but it has remained a “tool” for attracting tourists. Yes, and training, all the inscriptions here are still in two languages.
The main city of Valle d'Aosta is Aosta, which is two thousand years old.
Right on the border of Valle d'Aosta with France is the highest mountain in Western Europe (4807 m), and on the Swiss border is the magnificent Monte Rosa mountain range (“Pink Mountain”, 4634 m), which owes its name to the flower in which is colored when light reflects off its enormous glaciers. Another mountain peak is also breathtaking - Gran Paradiso, which is also the name of the natural park, spread over more than 200 thousand hectares.
The nature of Valle d'Aosta is harsh and beautiful. The region is rich in glaciers and mountain passes, the most famous of which are the Grand and Petit Saint Bernard. Despite the complexity of the terrain, there are excellent highways and a developed railway network.
The region has the largest reserve of glacial water, being a strategic water resource in Italy, as well as rich deposits of iron, copper, and marble.
Scientists believe that most of the current area of Valle d'Aosta was under thick ice ten thousand years ago. Over time, the climate became more favorable, which led to the melting of ice and the appearance of plants and animals here. And later the first human settlements.
Valle d'Aosta now has long, cold winters and short, cool summers. The average January temperature is + 1.3°C, the July temperature is +16.8°C.
Historical features
The first in the IX-VIII centuries. BC. The territory of the present Valle d'Aosta was inhabited by Celtic tribes. To this day, individual geographical objects bear names marked by their culture. Then the Celts were replaced by the Romans, who founded the city of Aosta here, which in those days was called Augusta Praetoria in honor of the Roman Emperor Augustus. The remains of the arch named after him are still preserved in the city.
In the Middle Ages, whoever tried to conquer this region - the Byzantines and Visigoths, the Lombards and the Franks...
In 1031, this territory began to be governed by the Savoy dynasty, whose first representative was Count Umberto Biancamano, who received his title from the Holy Roman Emperor.
Valle d'Aosta has always enjoyed a special position in the empire, maintaining administrative independence, which largely determined the character of its inhabitants - freedom-loving and independent.
In the 16th century Neighboring France persistently laid claim to the region, but all its attempts remained unsuccessful. And only during the reign of Napoleon it was captured by France for a short time, but already during the Restoration (restoration of the power of the Bourbon dynasty, 1814-1830) it again began to be governed by Savoy. This was the case when Italy was declared united.
In 1948, Valle d'Aosta became an autonomous region of the Italian Republic.
The famous native of these places, Anselm of Canterbury (1033-1109), is an outstanding philosopher and theologian.
Ski resorts
Valle d'Aosta is a paradise for winter sports enthusiasts. There are thirty modern ski centers equipped with cable cars with cabins and funiculars. Over a thousand kilometers of ski trails of varying difficulty have been developed, including special ones for children and beginners. Their total number in individual resorts is more than a hundred, all of them are included in the Skipass system.
The most popular resorts are Cervinia, Gressoney and Courmayeur.
Cervinia
The peculiarity of this resort is that it has the highest ski slope in the country (the maximum height is almost 3.9 thousand meters, the minimum is over two thousand meters). You can literally ski above the clouds and descend through them all year round, because, despite the rather mild climate, the snow on the glaciers does not melt in the summer.
But in fairness, it is worth noting some possible inconveniences. They are mainly connected with the closure of some high-mountain routes during bad weather, with a relatively small choice for professionals, and with expensive local taxis. However, all of them pale in comparison with the sensations that arise here, and which words can hardly describe. To experience them is real, incomparable happiness.
You won’t be bored between rides either. Tourists have a rich infrastructure at their disposal - supermarkets and restaurants, golf clubs, bowling alleys, swimming pools and souvenir shops where you can buy excellent handicrafts, such as copper dishes or colorful wooden toys. The resort has a nightclub and discos are held regularly.
There are also accommodation options for every taste and budget. You can choose a comfortable mountain shelter at an altitude of almost 3.5 thousand meters, capable of accommodating almost a hundred tourists, or an elite hotel, or accommodation with a Bed&Breakfast system. And in each of them tourists will definitely be offered signature Italian dishes, for example, ravioli (something like our dumplings with completely different fillings) and tagliatelle (classic Italian pasta).
Gressoney
Gressoney is located at the foot of Monte Rosa.
Directly above it there are very good trails, most of them classified as red in difficulty. The so-called black track coming from Punto Yolanda is especially magnificent. The longest is fourteen kilometers long - from Passo Salati to Gressoney.
This resort is distinguished by off-piste routes, there are a lot of them. They begin even above the highest lift station (more than 3 thousand m). A real space for freeride enthusiasts. One of their 70 km ski tours combines off-piste descents and rest stops in huts.
Not far from Gressoney there is a wonderful Lake Gover, which becomes an ice skating rink in winter. And around it there are trails for cross-country skiing.
In your free time from skiing, it will be interesting to visit the Museum of Alpine Fauna, which is open in the nearby village of Gressoney Saint-Jean.
In the evening the resort falls asleep - for the people who come here, health and sports come first.
Courmayeur
The resort can well be called ancient: since the 18th century, thanks to its healthy climate and thermal springs, it has already been popular with the British. Now it is a fashionable resort with corresponding hotels and fashion markets. Here is the world famous Congress Center.
The trails are mostly moderately difficult, there are also so-called black ones, which host competitions at the world and European levels.
Courmayeur and French Chamonix form a single international ski area.
This resort provides ample opportunities for off-piste leisure: several dozen bars and restaurants, a swimming pool, an ice skating rink, and a sports center.
It will also be pleasant to walk along the cozy resort streets, where the medieval Malqueen Tower, a church with a Romanesque bell tower and other architectural attractions will attract attention.
Courmayeur often hosts vibrant festivals and celebrations. For example, the spring Carnival of Masks, a folk dance procession on Valentine's Day.
December 30, the opening day of the season, is accompanied by an enchanting spectacle when athletes with torches descend from the mountain peak.
At the same time, many tourists note that Courmayeur is very expensive and the most crowded. They also complain about what they consider to be poor trail markings, so it’s easy to get lost.
City attractions
In addition to the ski centers, Valle d'Aosta has many other attractions.
The city of Aosta ranks third in Italy in terms of the number of ancient architectural structures. The eastern city gate presents an impressive picture: enormously thick fortress walls, arches over a wide entrance for carts and side entrances for pedestrians.
The ruins of an ancient Roman theater against the backdrop of a mountain landscape are also striking - where else can you find something like this?!
In the Aosta Cathedral, a monument of the 4th century, in addition to architectural masterpieces, you can admire a collection of Baroque jewelry.
There are still many medieval castles in the region.
In the town of Bard there is a perfectly preserved fortress, which at one time was the main defensive outpost. Nowadays a museum is opened in it.
In the village of Belvedere there is the Savoy Castle, built especially for the Queen of Italy, Margaret of Savoy (1851-1926). Imagine - all the furniture, interiors and even the wooden staircase have been preserved from those times.
Not far from Aosta there is another castle - Issony, decorated with preserved unique frescoes of Alpine painting.
The highlight of Valle d'Aosta are...the vineyards - the highest in Europe. They were broken at the site of an avalanche. The grapes are grown without any “chemicals”, which is why the local wine is special.
Cost of holiday
Since there are many accommodation options in Valle d'Aosta, prices vary. We present only the averages.
So. Overnight, breakfast and dinner in half board will cost a tourist about 50 EUR. The average lunch in local restaurants is 10-20 EUR.
The price of a room with a jacuzzi and a fireplace in luxury hotels, decorated with stone and wood, equipped with Wi-Fi, satellite TV and other “delights”, ranges from 280-830 EUR per person per night. But in a two-star hotel – 37-45 EUR.
How to get to Valle d'Aosta
The closest cities to this area are Milan and Turin. Their airports are connected to Aosta and the ski resorts by rail and road. Shuttle buses are convenient, however, they only run on weekends and a request for a trip must be prepared and sent to the airport in advance, at least two days before arrival.
You can also get there by rented car - this is not a problem, the price for a day of rental is between 11-46 EUR.
One of the most comfortable ways to get to Valle d’Aosta, especially if you have ski equipment with you, is to order a transfer from the desired airport through a special company, of which there are quite a few, having previously studied their websites. The driver with the appropriate sign will be waiting at the airport exit. You only need to pay for the trip upon arrival.
The Italian Valle d'Aosta awaits those who are not only fans of extreme skiing, but also appreciate the extraordinary beauty of nature and are able to admire masterpieces of art and architecture. And he just wants to have a great rest and breathe in the healing mountain air.
Mont Blanc and four thousand meters
Little Valle d'Aosta inherited several of the highest mountains in Western Europe. The most famous and highest among them is Mont Blanc (4810 meters). The Matterhorn, familiar to us from the emblem on chocolate bars, which Italy shares with Switzerland, is very picturesque. Another great mountain of the region is Monte Rosa, the second highest alpine peak. And finally, Gran Paradiso, the only four-thousand-meter mountain located entirely in Italy.
With such a concentration of peaks, there is plenty to do here for both climbers and lovers of mountain scenery. By the way, the very concept and movement of mountaineering originated in these mountains, after the first successful ascent of Mont Blanc on August 8, 1786. A few years ago, an updated Sky Way cable car was opened here, along which you can climb to the observation deck of Helbronner Peak at a height of 3466 meters. At the intermediate station of Pavillon du Mont-Frety, the highest botanical garden in Europe is planted.
Ski resorts
The Valle d'Aosta has several very different areas in terms of atmosphere and skiing specifics, some of which are international. For example, the slopes of the resort of Cervinia - the highest mountain resort in the region, and in Italy as a whole - run along the southern slopes of the Matterhorn mountain. From here, without taking off your skis, you can get to Swiss Zermatt, which lies on the opposite, northern slope. The season here lasts until May, and glacier skiing is possible all year round.
The ski area in Courmayeur is also international, but the resort is connected to the French Chamonix by a tunnel. Courmayeur is an ancient aristocratic holiday destination and is often depicted on Italian Christmas cards. The town is located at the foot of Mont Blanc and is easily accessible by direct route from Milan, making it a particularly popular weekend destination. In addition, there are several gastronomic restaurants, including Petit Royal, included in the Michelin Guide 2016.
The resort of Pyla is the most budget-friendly in the region and is aimed at family vacations. It is convenient to get here by lift directly from the main city of the region - Aosta. The slopes are mostly wide, with a slight slope, so there are many beginner athletes and children's ski schools here.
All resorts in Valle d'Aosta are located compactly, making so-called ski safaris popular here, when a new ski area is chosen every day. For convenience, you can buy a general subscription.
Historical monuments
The city of Aosta, formerly called Augusta Praetoria, was built by the Romans in 25 BC. e. Its historical center begins at the perfectly preserved triumphal arch from the time of Octavian Augustus.
For many centuries, these lands belonged to the Savoy dynasty; more than a hundred medieval castles have been preserved in the surrounding area. The most famous among them is Fenis, which has changed many owners since the 13th century and eventually became a local history museum.
It is also worth visiting the Castle of Sarre, built several centuries later and bought by the first king of Italy, Victor Emmanuel II, who made it his hunting residence. The walls of the castle are still decorated with royal trophies - thousands of horns of mountain goats and chamois, making up ornaments in the form of the coat of arms of the Savoy dynasty.
Thermal springs
Foreigners began to come to the local springs, rich in iron and silicon, back in the 17th century.
The Baths of Pré-Saint-Didier at the foot of the Orrido Falls remained the main center of attraction in the Valle d'Aosta for more than 150 years, hosting the entire European aristocracy and members of the Italian royal family. Not long ago, the complex was restored and reopened after a 30-year break.
Having come to the thermal baths for a couple of hours, you can spend the whole day here without noticing. Swimming pools, saunas of all possible types, salt caves and relaxation rooms are countless. You can only distract yourself with natural yoghurt with herbal tea, and after sunset look at the stars from the outdoor pools overlooking the mountain peaks.
There are other thermal springs in Valle d'Aosta, more modestly, in the small town of St. Vincent, which is also famous for having one of the largest gambling houses in Europe.
Specialties
Valle d'Aosta is famous for its cheese making traditions. Her pride is Fontina cheese, which is made from the milk of local spotted red cows. The cheese has the DOP quality mark, meaning that it can only be produced here.
An important product of local gastronomy is chestnuts. They are usually served with meat dishes, and are also made into flour or sweets, which are cooked in honey syrup, or whipped into chestnut cream.
Other typical dishes of the region are Valdostana soup (named after the region) with beans and pasta, as well as risotto al Barolo with red wine and pasta with truffles, popular in neighboring Piedmont.
Photo: Press service/Enrico Romanzi
How to get there: direct flights from Moscow to Turin, Milan or Geneva.
“Snob” thanks the tour operator PAC GROUP and the host company Elegant Tour for organizing the trip.
Home - ItalyValle d'Aosta is the most mountainous region of Italy. On its territory there are six peaks soaring above 4 thousand meters - Gran Paradiso, Tooth of the Giant, Gran Jorasses, Cervino, Monte Rosa and Monte Bianco (the highest peak in Europe).
Despite the fact that Valle d'Aosta is considered the smallest region of Italy, it can offer a lot of impressions and attractions to tourists. First of all, we are talking about majestic nature, as well as historical places, ancient traditions, excellent wines and gastronomy, numerous castles, waterfalls and stormy rivers.
The capital is Aosta, founded by the Romans in 25 BC.
A Brief History of Valle d'Aosta
The territory of Valle d'Aosta was inhabited during the Neolithic period. In 25 BC, the Romans conquered it, founding many settlements, including Aosta. They attached great importance to these lands, building defensive structures and fortresses here.In the Middle Ages, various peoples invaded the Valle d'Aosta, among them the Visigoths, Byzantines, Lombards and Franks. They changed the names of cities in honor of their saints.
After the fall of the Roman Empire, the region passed into the hands of the kings of Italy.
In 1032, Valle d'Aosta became the duchy of Umberto Biancamano, and then came under the rule of the Savoy dynasty. In 1536, Francis I of France invaded the region, and in 1800, Napoleon crossed the Valle d'Aosta, heading to Italy. After the restoration of the Kingdom of Savoy, the region was separated from Piedmont, with which it was united under French rule.
During the period of fascism, Valle d'Aosta began to be Italianized. Rural schools were closed, it was forbidden to speak French, all place names were translated into Italian.
Currently, Valle d'Aosta has autonomous status and two official languages - Italian and French, many residents speak their native Franco-Provençal.
Geography of Valle d'Aosta
80% of the territory of Valle d'Aosta lies above 1500 meters above sea level. The highest mountain peaks in Europe are located here: Monte Bianco (4810 m), Monte Rosa (4634 m), Cervino (4478 m) and Gran Paradiso (4061 m) .The region is home to one of Italy's oldest natural parks, Gran Paradiso.
The main river of Valle d'Aosta is the Dora Baltea, which is a tributary of the Po River.
How to get to Valle d'Aosta
Valle d'Aosta has its own airport near Aosta, but it is used mainly for private aircraft.The closest airport will be Turin, the distance from which to Aosta is 115 km, from Milan to Aosta - 190 km.
Get inspired by Valle d'Aosta
First of all, it is worth watching the detective series about Rocco Schiavone, in which a cynical and rebellious policeman is exiled to Aosta and has to solve crimes against the backdrop of snow-capped Alpine peaks.To catch the Christmas and romantic mood, you can watch the film “The Worst Christmas of My Life” directed by Alessandro Genovesi. The film takes place in a picturesque Savoy castle.
What to see in Valle d'Aosta
The area of Valle d'Aosta is only 3,260 square km, for comparison, the area of Moscow is 2,500 square km. In Valle d'Aosta there are 128 thousand inhabitants, each year there are 20 bottles of wine and 3 heads of fontina cheese!
Valle d'Aosta borders Switzerland, France and Piedmont.
The region has autonomous status and two official languages - Italian and French, while the native language is Franco-Provençal.
Aosta is the capital of the region and the only major city.
Valle d'Aosta became the first Italian region to implement a total ban on genetically modified organisms in the production of agricultural products and food.
The region is famous for its white wines, nervy and fruity they speak of the cold sun of the Alps. The warming climate plays on the side of the red varieties from Valle d'Aosta, they reach their polyphenolic maturity, maintaining elegance and low alcohol content in the wines.
Heroes of the Vine
Winemaking in Valle d'Aosta has ancient roots and dates back to the Gallo-Ligurian tribes. The first written mentions date back to 515, talking about wine production in the Abbey of St. Mauricius in Valais.In 1838, Lorenzo Gatta, in his work “Monograph on the vines and wines of Valle d’Aosta” (“Saggio sulle viti e sui vini della Valle d’Aosta”) divides wines into ecclesiastical, commercial, dry and passito, the latter of which he classifies as the highest class. Gatta also writes that the best wines are made from picotendro (nebbiolo), neret, pinot grigio, white muscat, petit rouge and prieux varieties.
The vineyard area as of 2019 is only 430 hectares, but winemaking plays an important role in the economy of Valle d'Aosta. 2.5 million bottles are produced per year, which is about 21 thousand hectoliters. On the scale of the entire Italian wine industry, Valle d'Aosta wines Aostas occupy 0.1%, but they have a strong personality and unique character.
There are 6 cooperatives and 36 private farms in the region.
Valle d'Aosta is crossed by the Dora Baltea river, which is born on the Brenva glacier and flows into the great Po river. The Dora Baltea forms the main valley - the Aosta valley (valle), numerous tributaries, cutting into the mountains, create other lowlands, which are characterized by different microclimates.
The vineyards are located along the Dora Baltea river, rising to the foot of Mont Blanc.
The main climate is alpine, characterized by long and cold winters, when the temperature drops below 20 degrees, summers are short and not hot. The difference between night and day temperatures is significant. For example, in autumn, during the day the temperature rises to 22 degrees, and at night drops to zero.
At the bottom of the valleys, the climate is continental, winter temperatures are around zero degrees, and in summer they rise to 30.
The Aosta Valley is one of the driest places in Italy, thanks to the effect of the mountains that disperse the clouds.
The viticulture of Valle d'Aosta belongs to the mountains and is called “heroic”, since processing vines can be compared to a feat and a challenge to nature.
More than half of the vineyards are planted at altitudes above 500 meters above sea level; steep slopes and sudden changes in altitude add to the difficulties.
Some of the vineyards are located on terraces made of stones without the use of cement. This protects against erosion and expands the planting area. In addition, the stones attract sunlight and give off heat to the vines, this is important, since daylight hours in the mountains are shorter, but ultraviolet radiation is higher and the sun's rays are more intense.
The vineyards are located at an altitude of 320 to 1200 meters above sea level. These are some of the highest vineyards in Europe.
Valle d'Aosta has the only wine-growing area DOC Valle d'Aosta (Vallée d'Aoste), which received this status in 1971. Often wines have a double spelling: in Italian and in French.
The DOC Valle d'Aosta wine-growing area is divided into 7 subzones:
Blanc de Morgex et de La Salle- the only cultivated variety of prie blanc (blanc de Valdigne). These vineyards are the highest.
Alpine treasures
To date, the Valdosta ampelography includes 21 autochthonous varieties.The most common variety is petit rouge, it has been known since 1838, petit rouge nero occupies 16% of the territory, 90% of red wines are produced from this variety.
Nebbiolo occupies 9% of the territory, which is 25.5 hectares, in the southern lands adjacent to Piedmont in the Donnas and Arnas-Monjove zones. Local name - picotendro, i.e. small (piccolo) and delicate (tenero).
The proximity of Switzerland also affects the varietal composition. Petit Arvin, cultivated in the canton of Valais since the 17th century, came to Valle d'Aosta in the 1970s.
At first the variety became popular, but then its plantings sharply decreased. Les Cretes has revived Petit Arvin, and it is now considered an elite variety, producing high-acid wines with floral and mineral aromas.
One of the most ancient varieties of Valle d'Aosta is considered Prie Blanc, the first mention of it dates back to 1691. This white variety loves extreme altitudes, the vines grow on their own roots at an altitude of 1000-1200 meters above sea level. The traditional planting system is low pergolas that protect the vines from wind and cold, accumulating the heat of the sun's rays in the soil and on stone supports. Wines from prie blanc are distinguished by their elegance, high acidity and bright minerality.
"Smoky" fumen- a red grape variety mentioned by Lorenzo Francesco Gatta in 1838, grown from Chambava to Eymaville. The vineyards are located at an altitude of 650-700 meters above sea level. The wines are long-lived, with aromas of red berries and spices. They ripen early, and within 3-5 years after harvesting they are ready for consumption.
Red variety majolet has been discovered in recent decades, it gives wines power, structure and longevity, but majolet is not yet well understood.
The autochthonous variety has its own character cornalen, which is a cross of majolet and petit rouge.
Also in Valle d'Aosta, well-known Pinot Nero, Gamay, Chardonnay, Müller Thurgau, white Muscat, Pinot Grigio and Syrah are cultivated.
Let us note several rare and interesting varieties that are found in Valle d'Aosta.
Ancient variety gouais blanc was practically lost. One winegrower found several vines near the village of Perlo and named them Theilly. Later DNA tests determined that it was identical to the ancient variety Gouais Blanc, which was distributed throughout Europe in the Middle Ages. Before the Second World War, the variety was quite popular in the Valle d'Aosta, but later it was abandoned due to late ripening, which occurs in October, and high acidity. That is, Gouais Blanc had to be vinified later, and it was not possible to combine with other white varieties In addition, gouais blanc requires aging in a barrel for at least a year.Today, only a few vines remain, which are cultivated at an altitude of 767 meters above sea level.
Phylogenetic studies have shown that Gouais Blanc was the progenitor of such varieties as Chardonnay, Gamay, Aligoté, Colombard and Furmine.
Puppa de feya- another variety lost through the centuries, which was found near Monjove. It is unlike any existing variety, but is identical to an ancient variety that was cultivated here in the past. True, this variety of red grapes is not so interesting for vinification, since the quality of the resulting wine does not meet modern requirements. But this gives hope for new discoveries.
In 2007, Giulio Moriondo (author of the book “Albero genealogico dei vitigni della Valle d"Aosta e del Vallese” and owner of the Vini Rari farm) Breathed new life into Blanc Comun, an endangered grape variety that is a natural cross between Prie Blanc and a lost autochthon. The chance discovery of two vines of blanc commune is of great importance for the Valdostana ampelography, which is not so rich in white varieties.
Giulio Moriondo saved and propagated the only old vine of Petit Rouge Bianco, which changed color through mutation.
“An amazing result, a mix of Petit Arvin and Sauvignon”- this is how Moriondo describes this wine.
Another lost and revived variety Oriou Gris, which was found and identified in 2007.
Another rare variety - Vuillermin, the first mention of him dates back to 1890, it is known that he is related to Fumen.
Neyret never forgotten, he is on the national registry, but he was underappreciated. The first written document where the neure appears dates back to 1587, perhaps this was the first Valdosta autochthon to be mentioned!
Unfortunately, the winemaking industry of Valle d'Aosta has suffered losses. Wine is no longer produced this way Clairet de Chambave, which was done until the beginning of the 20th century. It was produced using dried nebbiolo (70-80%) and neret (20-30%) grapes; the wine was aged in a barrel for 6 years, the storage potential was 15-20 years. This wine was served to royalty in 1494, when Valle d'Aosta was under French rule.
