The smallest region of Italy, on the border with France and Switzerland, the Aosta Valley is dotted with the highest peaks of the Alps: the Matterhorn, Mount Rosa, Gran Paradiso and the majestic Mont Blanc.
The ideal destination for winter sports enthusiasts, it's time to put on your skis and let your hair down! With green valleys and fabulous castles, Val d'Aosta is a magical place to visit all year round.
Main cities of Val d'Aosta
Aosta still has many traces of the long reign of the ancient Romans, including the Porta Praetorium and the ruins of a Roman theatre.
The judicial cryptoportico, part of the still excellently preserved ancient forum, is situated under the cathedral, a few steps from the great Place Emile Chan.
Many other towns can be found north of the Gran Paradiso National Park, which includes part of the Valle d'Aosta area around the Gran Paradiso mountain range.
Courmayeur, on the slopes of Mont Blanc, is a popular destination thanks to its ski slopes and impressive glaciers.
Saint-Vincent e Châtillon, located very close to each other, offer beautiful castles as well as relaxing spas, state-of-the-art wellness centers and the Saint-Vincent Resort & Casino, one of four in Italy.
Typical Val d'Aosta products
Be prepared to be tempted by the flavors of the Aosta Valley, starting with the king of charcuterie, Jambon de Bosses, a precious raw ham with an aromatic and fragrant taste and a sweet aftertaste.
Lard d'Arnad, the only PDO lard in Europe, goes perfectly with Fontina cheese, made from the milk of three breeds of Valdostan cows.
Fontina cheese also features in polenta concia, which is moister than traditional polenta due to the addition of local cheeses.
The Golden Delicious apple, the most cultivated fruit in Val d'Aosta, has aromatic flesh and a sweet taste. If you're craving apple pie, you should try the Rennet apple, another iconic regional fruit.
After a hearty meal, why not treat yourself to a glass of Genepy?
This vintage liqueur is obtained by the alcoholic maceration of Artemisia Alpina and pairs perfectly with torcetti valdostani, a refined sugar cookie.
Events in Val d'Aosta
From the end of November until the 6th of January, the Christmas spirit takes over the historic center of Aosta with the traditional Marché Vert Noël and more than 30 chalets located along the archaeological area of the Roman Theatre.
At the end of January, the city also celebrates the Millennial Fair of Sant Orso, dedicated to crafts, and in August, the Summer Fair of Sant Orso.
On Valentine's Day, Courmayeur embraces lovers with a festival in honor of the city's winter patron.
At the end of summer, the region celebrates the désarpa, the movement of livestock from the mountain pastures back to the valley floor, on September 29, Michaelmas.
The event most cherished by the locals is the “Battle of the Queens”, bloodless fights between Valdostan cows in which they push each other with their horns in a series of fights every Sunday from spring to autumn until the final in October at the Aosta Arena, where each of the three weight categories, the winning cow - the queen - is announced.
