Summary of Valle d’Aosta
Italy’s Aosta Valley, or Valle d’Aosta, is the smallest of Italy’s 20 regions. It contains much of Italy’s first National Park, the Parco Nazionale del Gran Paradiso. The Valle d’Aosta is a wonderful destination for skiing in winter and hiking in summer. The region is characterized by many picturesque mountain villages, small rural churches, castles, and Baroque art.
Where to Go in Valle d’Aosta, Italy’s Smallest Region
Getting to the Valle d’Aosta
The main road through the Valle d’Aosta is the A5 autostrada, which continues to Milan and Torino after Pont Saint Martin. This route offers one of the most scenic drives you’ll experience. From France, access the Valle d’Aosta via the Little Saint Bernard Pass or the Mont Blanc (Monte Bianco in Italian) tunnel. However, while the tunnel significantly reduces travel time and is favored by most trucking operations, the toll fees can be quite high. The tunnel connects the valleys of Chamonix (France) and Courmayeur (Italy).
Although a car is the best means to explore the Aosta Valley, a train station is located in Aosta, and buses operate to some smaller towns. The closest Italian airport is Turin airport.
Towns to Visit in Valle d’Aosta
Aosta is the largest city in the Valley and is rich in history, featuring a grid system that dates back to Roman times, with several notable ruins. The main piazza boasts one of Italy’s finest historic cafes, Caffe Nazionale, which has been a staple since 1886.
Pont Saint Martin serves as the gateway to the Valle d’Aosta, featuring a Roman bridge that dates back to the first century BC, and is surrounded by numerous medieval castles.
Saint Vincent is well-known for one of the largest casinos in Europe and is also famous for its therapeutic spas, often referred to as the Riviera of the Alps.
Aosta Valley Mountains and National Park
Gran Paradiso National Park, or Parco Nazionale del Gran Paradiso, was once the royal hunting ground of the House of Savoy. Mount Gran Paradiso, named after the park, is the highest peak entirely within Italy. The park is rich in biodiversity, boasting hundreds of alpine flowers, many of which are rare, alongside various bird and animal species.
The Valle d’Aosta shares its spectacular alpine environment with Switzerland to the north and France to the west. Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn are among the tallest mountains, frequently snow-capped, making the region an excellent spot for skiing and winter sports as well as breathtaking views.
The picturesque drive between Valtournanche and Champoluc, both prominent ski resorts, offers stunning scenery. This area attracts visitors year-round, being popular for both hiking in the summer and skiing in the winter.
Valle D’Aosta Castles and Cuisine
Numerous castles embellish the hillsides of the Aosta Valley, some standing proud while others remain evocative ruins.
Cuisine of the Valle d’Aosta
The cuisine of the Aosta Valley is simple yet comprised of fresh ingredients sourced from the mountains and streams. With a plethora of cows, the region produces excellent cow’s milk cheeses such as fontina, along with butter, cream, and various beef dishes. The local mountains provide ample game and mushrooms, while fresh fish from mountain streams are abundant. Consequently, the wine from this region can be pricier due to the labor-intensive grape cultivation. Nevertheless, visitors can find good wines from the nearby Piemonte region.
Near Valle D’Aosta
The Aosta Valley is bordered to the south and east by the Piemonte region, renowned for its exceptional cuisine and winter skiing. This area features the Susa Valley and the less-touristed Chisone Valley. The city of Turin is an elegant city showcasing Baroque cafes, stunning architecture, museums, cultural events, and exquisite restaurants.
To the north lies Zermatt, Switzerland, a car-free medieval village recognized as one of Europe’s premier ski resorts, while to the west is Aix les Bains, renowned as one of France’s top spa towns.
