Chatillon
Chatillon is certainly one of the best known towns in the Aosta Valley, a small paradise nestled between the Valtoirnenche and the Central Valley.
At 549 meters, Chatillon is surrounded by Monte Zerbion and Monte Barbeston and is located along the two sides of the Dora Baltea and the Torrente Marmore.
Chatillon is famous for its castles, the Passerin d’Entrèves Castle, the Ussel Castle and the Baron Gamba Castle, but the village preserves many historic buildings and monuments that tell of its ancient past.
Today Chatillon is one of the most beautiful and popular tourist destinations in the Val d’Aosta, in winter, for the Col de Joux ski area, with 8 km of snow-covered slopes, ski lifts, chairlifts and ski lifts, and the Giocaneve Park for the most little ones. In summer for the many activities, excursions, MTB, bike tours, trekking, rafting …
The history of Chatillon
The history of the city of Chatillon is very ancient, we have the first evidence already in pre-Roman times. There was a settlement under the Roman Empire, probably known as Castellum, the construction of the bridge over the Marmore stream dates back to this period. In Roman times the city enjoyed a certain importance, it was in fact near the consular road of the Gauls.
The development of the city as we know it today took place in medieval times, when the first castles were built, commissioned by the noble Challant family, lords of Chatillon starting from 1252, the Passerin d’Entrèves Castle dates back to the second half of 1200 , the Castle of Ussel, to 1350. In this period Chatillon became the second most important city in the Aosta Valley, its strategic position made it the center of trade, transit and tolls.
The history of Chatillon is deeply linked to the iron extraction sector in the mines of Ussel and Valmeriana, as early as 1346, cannons for the States of Savoy were forged there, commissioned by the Duchess of Monferrato.
Three centuries later, in 1600, there was the Chamaran foundry, and two forges, and in 1700 Chatillon was a small industrial town.
On May 16, 1800, the Battle of Chatillon took place, during which French troops clashed with the Austrians.
What to see in Chatillon
The city of Chatillon is famous for its beautiful castles, and for its ancient monuments, the town is one of the most particular in the Aosta Valley and one of the most famous tourist destinations in the region. Particularly important are the Passerin d’Entrèves Castle, the Ussel Castle and the Baron Gamba Castle, the Parish Church of San Pietro, the Honey Museum and the Analimmatic Solar Clock.
Passerin d’Entrèves Castle: behind the Parish Church of San Pietro, stands the Passerin d’Entrèves Castle, one of the most famous in the Aosta Valley. The origins of this castle are Roman, it was probably an ancient fortress, over the centuries the building passed from one noble family to another until, in the fourteenth century, it became the property of the Visconti of Aosta, Lords of Challant. , it is in this period that important restoration works were carried out on the castle. Today the castle is privately owned, it hosts some special events at times, but the park can be visited.
Ussel Castle: located just outside the town of Chatillon, in a dominant position, this castle was built in the second half of the 1300s by Ebalo di Challant. It is a particular example of Aosta Valley military architecture, it is in fact a single-block castle, a strong sign of change compared to the strict rules up to that moment in vogue.
Baron Gamba Castle: this castle was built only in the early 1900s, the works for its construction were carried out by the engineer Carlo Saroldi, commissioned by Charles Maurice Gamba and since 1982 it has been owned by the Aosta Valley Region. The Castle now houses an important collection of works, including paintings, installations, sculptures and photographic collections ranging from the end of the 19th century to the present day. The castle is surrounded by a large English park where there are 150 trees of different species, such as the Bald Cypress, the Thorn of Judas and the California Giant Sequoia.
Parish Church of San Pietro: built in the 12th century, the church was remodeled in later times and only a few traces of its original structure remain today. A section of the building houses the Museum of the Treasury.
Honey Museum: this museum is dedicated to one of the typical products of the Aosta Valley, honey. In fact, due to its microclimate, this area of the valley is particularly suitable for the production of honey and the museum is dedicated to this product. The museum houses a collection of ancient tools for beekeeping, from the end of the 19th century, tools, hives made from tree trunks, machinery for extracting honey and tools for processing the product.
Chatillon weather
Chatillon’s climate is warm and temperate with frequent rainfall throughout the year. The summer months record average temperatures around 20 ° C, while in winter the average temperature recorded is 3 ° C.
Hotel in Chatillon
Sleeping in Chatillon will be the ideal opportunity to discover the true and authentic alpine spirit of the Aosta Valley and of this characteristic town. Here everything is traditional and welcoming, the locals welcome you with a smile and make you feel immediately at home … the choice of accommodation will be dictated by your needs, a hotel in Chatillon for those who do not want to give up relaxation and well-being, an apartment in Chatillon for the more independent, or a farmhouse or a B&B in Chatillon, for a deep contact with nature and local traditions, you will be spoiled for choice!
Recommended hotels:
Au Coin du Chateau, delightful B&B in the small hamlet of Cret de Breil, the rooms are simple, furnished in alpine style. Strada Statale 26 della Valle d’Aosta, 47, 11024 Châtillon AO – Tel. 3404720974.
Clair Martin Suite, small B&B just 5 minutes from Saint-Vincent with panoramic views of the mountains and the Castle of Ussel. In the morning, breakfast is prepared with sweets and typical products of the local tradition. Via Tour de Grange, 40, 11024 Châtillon AO – Tel. +390166563774
La Lierre, characteristic accommodation in Chatillon, the Lierre is a family-run Bed and Breakfast nestled in the mountains of Val d’Aosta, you will feel at home! Via Tour de Grange, 64 – 11024 Châtillon (AO) Tel. +39 016661521 / +393408919808.
Relais des Elfes, this relais, in the Cret de Breil area, is the ideal solution for families, in fact it has a garden with barbecue, terrace and a play area for children. Fraz Cret de Breil, 34 11024 Chatillon AO – Tel. +39016661224 / +393477493845
Maison Lazier, beautiful B&B just a few minutes from Chatillon, furnished in the typical Aosta Valley style, it is ideal if you want to experience a full immersion in traditional local culture. Fraz. Torin – 11024 Pontey AO – +393408492624.
Chatillon restaurants
The restaurants of Chatillon offer the most authentic and traditional cuisine of the Aosta Valley culture, typical products of extraordinary quality and fame, such as fontina DOP, toma di Grossoney, Reblec and Brossa, cured meats such as lard d’Arnad, Jambon de Bosses and the grilled Jambon of Saint-Oyen, honey, chestnuts, black rye bread and traditional wines, Blanc de Morgex et de La Salle DOC, Torrette DOC and Chambave Muscat DOC. In the restaurants of Chatillon you can rediscover the authentic flavors of the past, with ancient recipes sometimes faithful to tradition, sometimes revisited, but always unique in their kind.
Recommended restaurants:
LE PETIT BIJOU, Piazza Vittorio Veneto 3, 11027 Saint-Vincent – Tel. +39 334 938 8467
LOCANDA CERVINO, 31, Via Chanoux, 11024 Chatillon – Tel. +39 0166 563206
RISTORANTE CHEZ NOUS, Frazione Ussel, 8 | Castello Ussel, 11024 Chatillon – +39 0166 62276
OSTERIANUMEROUNO, Via Menabreaz, 87, 11024 Chatillon – Tel. +39 349 528 6675
RISTORANTE LE GRENIER, Piazza Monte Zerbion 1, 11027 Saint-Vincent – +39 0166 510138
BORRACHO VINOSTERIA, Via E. Chanoux 33 | via E. Chanoux 33, 11027 Saint-Vincent – +39 347 816 6790