Driving Route: East Aosta Valley
East Aosta Valley
This valley is called central. It coincides with the course of the Dora and is directed first to the northwest, and then to the clean west, following the river from Pont Saint-Martan to Aosta along with the river. The central valley, as well as the side valleys (Valturnfnsch, Gressoney, Alias and Champorsche) form a separate territorial entity, with their own climatic and landscape features. This is a developed tourist region, rich in cultural, natural, sports and recreational resources. The Dora River valley from Pont Saint-Martan to the suburbs of Aosta is called by locals “la Plen”, i.e. “Valley”. It has formed its own industry, but in the last decades it has experienced certain difficulties. The European Union recognized this situation, and funds were allocated for the retraining of Fort Bard (and the town below it). The project is designed to make the Fort the “entrance door” of the region, which is logical, due to the rich architectural heritage of the lower part of the valley. In any case, the landscapes and sights of the La Plenet district (below Aosta) and Montagne (river valley above Aosta) can satisfy the tastes of the most demanding tourists. Having visited the town of the famous ancient Roman bridge Pont Saint-Martan, you should continue along highway number 26, which follows the bends of the Dora Balta valley, and, passing the fork in Perlos, drive first Donnas and then Bard (5 km).
After a stop in It (located not on the river), you should go along the highway built in the 19th century, partially repeating the ancient Roman Gallic road. Having passed Arnad and visited Isson with its famous castle on the right bank of the river, you find yourself in Verre (9 km), which became famous thanks to the most powerful dynasty of the Counts de Chalan in the region in the Middle Ages. On the left there is the area of the Mont-Avic nature park, and the road leads to Montjov and Saint-Vincent (11.4 km), and then (however, you can also make an excursion to the Zhu hill along the way) – Chatillon (3.2 km).
From here, you can drop into the reserve of Lake Lozon. One version of the route leads along the highway west to the Phoenis Castle in Nus (11.6 km). This is the end point of the route. Another option is to move from Chatillon to the so-called “valley of Mount Cervino”. The group of “the most noble rock of Europe” (according to John Ruskin) menacingly rises above the Valtournanash valley. The road meanders between la Plen, rocky cliffs and glaciers crowning the Cervino valley. Moving along the former state highway No. 406 to Cervinia, from the Depression of Chatillon you gain 525 m in height at the entrance to Antei-Saint-Andre (7 km). Hence, two deviations from the route are possible, 8 and 7 km, respectively. They pass along the eastern slope of Mount Magdelen and the western Mount Torgnon. Then climb the cable car from Buisson Chamois. From the city of Valtournenche (11.3 km), which gives the name to the whole valley, we will make an excursion to Lake Chignana. Further, overcoming the wilderness called Gouffre de Bousserei, we find ourselves at the Bleu lake, in the waters of which Mount Cervino is reflected. A little further (8.7 km) is the town of Breuil-Cervinia.
Then climb the cable car from Buisson Chamois. From the city of Valtournenche (11.3 km), which gives the name to the whole valley, we will make an excursion to Lake Chignana. Further, overcoming the wilderness called Gouffre de Bousserei, we find ourselves at the Bleu lake, in the waters of which Mount Cervino is reflected. A little further (8.7 km) is the town of Breuil-Cervinia.
Pont saint martan
The town (345 m, population 3906 people) is located at the confluence of the Lys River (from the Gressoney Valley) in Douro Balta. From here from the mountainous terrain you can go down to the Padansky plain. This place is somewhat pompously called the Val d’Aosta Gate. In the 19th century, a cross was erected at one end of the famous Ancient Roman Bridge *. The bridge over the Lis River in the city center is an engineering monument of the ancient Romans. Its height is 23 m, and the shinira is 6 m, and it was actively used until 1831. It was built in the 1st century BC. This is a large (length 31.08 m) single-arch bridge with a reduced arch height. A special museum is dedicated to the bridge. In the very center of the old city, at the crossroads of Via Castello and Via Shanu, are the ruins of a 15th-century building called Castell (castle). Its appearance is eclectic, as the castle was rebuilt many times. The name of the city, in addition to the bridge, contains the name of the noble Valdaostan family of Saint-Martan, who ruled the city until they were replaced by the Savoyans in the 13th century. The ruins of yet another castle, built on a rock towering above the area, belong to the same distant era. Neo-Gothic-style Baraing Castle was built in 1883-1993 to the left of the old castle. Previously, the municipality was located in it, and nowadays, after restoration work, the administration of the mountainous region of Monte Rosa is located here. Today, Pont Saint-Martan is famous for its historic carnival, the theme of which is local legends. One of them says that the bridge was built overnight by the devil, who was later expelled by St. Martin.
