Hôtel Ristorante Crabun
Excursions in The Valley
Pont-Saint-Martin
Pont-Saint-Martin is the first village of the Aosta Valley. The historical town is named after its roman bridge at the center of the town crossing over the Lys River.
The roman theme continues throughout the village and can be seen in the narrow pebbled streets as well as the ruins of one of the valley's old castles built in the 13th century by the Lords of Bard. The castle was also used as a strategically place to watch over the valley during the war. Pont-Saint-Martin is also famous for its week-long Carnival held normally on February. It plays out the folk story behind the origin of the Saint Martin's bridge. Live bands, horse-drawn carriages and locals dressed in traditional costumes, take to the streets and celebrate the town's traditions with good food and lively company.
Another of Pont-Saint-Martin's historical features is a Holy Shrine up on the hill overlooking the village. The shrine is dedicated to the Virgin Mary and is known as the Madonna della Guardia, the lady who watches over the town. Dating as far back at 1605, this was a sacred place where many pilgrims stopped on their journeys. The 8th of September each year, the day of the Virgin's Nativity, still sees many parents bringing their children to be blessed on this religious day.
Gressoney Valley
Gressoney Valley is perhaps the most visited valley in Aosta by tourists. Its main attraction is of course its excellent mountain slopes for skiers. It has various skiing routes ranging from those for beginners to more experience skiers who can ski straight over the Swiss border for their day on the Alps. Most skiing resorts offer up to 13 km of downhill ski runs, as well as numerous cross-country tracks up to 20 km long. The Gressoney Valley winds itself up to the Mont Rosa, the spectacular glacier where Lake Gabiet can be found after a scenic cable-car ride up into the Alps. In summer, Gressoney continues to offer excellent recreational activities such as its 9-hole golf course, tennis, archery, rock climbing, horse-riding and cycling. Lake Gover, a picture perfect emerald coloured lake, is an ideal place to spend a warm summers day eating ice cream and fishing, whilst in winter it is transformed into a romantic natural ice-ring.
The towns of Gressoney Valley are characterised by their distinct Walser buildings, originating from a Germanic tribe, known as the Walsers, who settled there in the valley in the 1400's. With its German influenced culture, Gressoney boasts various monuments, such as the Castle Savoia built for and frequented by Queen Margherita in 1894. A church, which is said to have first been built in 1515, can also be visited in Gressoney. It was rebuilt in 1725 in memory of Saint Jean the Baptist. One of Aosta Valley's oldest structures can be found in the parish museum in Gressoney. It is an admirable crucifix dating back to the 1400's.
Many festivals take place throughout the year in the valley, but St. John's feast is a particularly important event. The beginning of the feast is signified on the evening of the 23rd of June every year, by fires being light in surrounding villages, continuing until the following day's mass is held. The community of Gressoney attend the church ceremony in their traditional dress, after which they take part in the three day-long feast.
Mount Avic Regional Park
Mount Avic is a Regional Park situated in the Aosta Valley in the area of Champdepraz. The park is known for its dozens of lakes and ponds. They are located at altitudes ranging from 1000m to 3800m and make for some excellent hiking opportunities. The majority of the park is made up of mountain pine forest and is the largest of its kind in Italy and is very important for the forest repopulation in the country. In summer the entire park is blanketed with pastures and inhabited by fauna and flora unique to the valley. The shy breed of antelope known as the Camoscio can be seen in these forest and are famous for there skin during hunting season.
Champorcher Valley
Champorcher is characterised by it's many historical features such as a tower which still remains from the destroyed medieval castle in 1212, St. Nicholas Church built in 1400 and the impressive waterfalls nearby which fall from the Ayasse river. Chardonney is a local hamlet where visitors can find many different products such as bedding, tablecloths and bags, all handmade by the people of the villages. The valley is also known for its typical types of bread, which are baked once a year in bulk during their annual festival.
The rest of the Champorcher Valley continues up to 3164m above sea level, where previous mountaineers have labeled various hiking trails that wind through the beautiful Grand Paradiso National Park. This park was the first to be established in Italy and is once again a great opportunity to observe the antelope, Camoscio, in its natural environment, as well as taking advantage of the many good fishing venues. In the winter of course, the Champorcher Valley is renown for its well-equipped ski resorts.
Skiing in Aosta Valley
Skiing on the Monterosa is perhaps one of Europe's best skiing venues. The pistes cover over 200km, which include 56 runs amd 42 ski-lifts. From Monterosa, one is able to access Ayas Valley as well as Gressoney Valley. Various novice and intermediate tracks are also available throughout both valleys, as well as the services of skiing instructors for all levels of skiers.
Courmayeur is another excellent venue that offers not only shopping and general entertainment, but 100km of downhill ski-runs for both skiers and snow-boarders. The town is all wellknown for hosting various skiing competitions.
Situated just below the Matterhorn/Mont Cervinia, is Brueil-Cervinia's world famous ski resort. There are over 150 pistes to choose from, thus being one of the biggest ski resorts in the Alps. It is possible to ski from dawn to dusk without skiing the same piste twice! Brueil-Cervinia also boasts a Snow-park, which caters for snow-board enthusiasts.
Casinò de la Vallée - Saint Vincent
The town of Saint-Vincent is wellknown in Aosta Valley for its casinò. The casinò features 512 slots and 95 table games, including American Roulette, Chemin de Fer and Punto Banco.
Saint Vincent itself is a lively and festive town. The town hosts various festivals and carnivals throughout the year, and also offers a busy nightlife with its numerous restuarants and clubs. By day, one can see Saint-Vincent's many historical sights.
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