Saint Vincent
Saint Vincent is probably one of the most famous and popular places in the Aosta Valley, famous above all for its Casino de la Vallee, one of the most important in Europe.
Saint Vincent is also a well-known ski resort, with the Col de Joux resort, and is known for its thermal baths, discovered by a naturalist abbot, in the second half of the 18th century.
The city of Saint Vincent rises to 575mt of altitude and for its mild climate and the sheltered position it is also nicknamed the Riviera of the Alps.
Saint Vincent is an ideal tourist destination in every season, both in winter, given its proximity to the Col de Joux ski resort, at 1640 meters. And with 7 km of snow-covered slopes, both in summer, its pleasant climate is in fact ideal for excursions, trekking, MTB and visits to discover the historical and cultural heritage of this area.
History of the city of Saint Vincent
Thanks to its privileged position, sunny and sheltered from cold winds thanks to the presence of the Zerbion, Saint Vincent has been inhabited since the most ancient times, certainly between the end of the Bronze Age and the beginning of the Iron Age.
The first evidence of the presence of a village dates back to the Roman period, the Romans built some of the most important public works such as the bridge over the Cillian stream, unfortunately partly destroyed by the 1839 earthquake, some Roman tombs in which precious everyday objects have been found, mainly vases and ampoules, now kept in the Archaeological Museum of Aosta. Another important Roman construction is an ancient country villa and along the same road, a thermal plant, testifying to the ancient vocation for thermalism of this city.
What to see in Saint Vincent
The fame of Saint Vincent is mainly due to two of its attractions, the spa and the casino, but the city is also very interesting from an architectural level, its historic buildings and museums represent one of its most beautiful and fascinating aspects. The Parish Church of San Vincenzo, the Palais of Saint Vincent and the bridge over the Cillian stream.
Parish church of San Vincenzo: the church rests on an ancient Roman building, dating back to the IV-V century, probably a patrician villa or a public building with a calidarium. The actual church was built by the Benedictines in the 11th century with many alterations from later periods. The interior of the church is very particular, the large central nave is bordered by large square, circular and polygonal altèrne columns, the oldest frescoes date back to 1416 and are the work of the painter Iacopo Jacquerio, also in 1400 frescoes of saints and poets were painted by the painter Giacomino da Ivrea, while at the end of 1500 Filippo da Varallo created the decorations of the presbytery basin. Inside the church there is a museum that houses objects of sacred art.
Ponte Romano: the ancient bridge built by the Romans on the Cillian stream, a tributary of the Dora Baltea. The bridge was part of the great Roman engineering works along the Via delle Gallie and was used until 1839, when an earthquake partially destroyed the structure. The bridge was almost 50 meters long and 4.64 meters wide, with high parapets and small windows. The structure originally comprised three distinct sections: the central arch and two side parts at an obtuse angle with blind arches.
Palais Saint-Vincent: imposing geodesic structure – the largest indoor structure in the Valle d’Asta – which hosts concerts, film screenings and international congresses.
Cenacolo Italo Mus Museum of Mineralogy and Paleontology: established in 1979, it houses an exhibition of 650 minerals and 150 fossils from all over the world. Open every Saturday and holidays (10-12 / 15.30-19), free admission.
Weather forecast Saint Vincent
Terme Saint Vincent
Famous all over the world, the waters of the Terme di Saint Vincent are classified as bicarbonate-sulphate-alkaline-bromine-iodine-carbonic, the thermal spring was discovered in the late 1800s by the abbot Jean Baptiste Perret and called “Fons Salutis” for the amazing healing properties. The elegant spa is one of the most beautiful attractions of Saint Vincent, to spend a day of relaxation and well-being.
Casino de la Vallèe
The Casino de la Vallèe is one of the largest and most prestigious in Europe, inaugurated on April 29, 1947, it was originally located inside the Grand Hotel Billia. A casino of over 3,500 square meters, open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, over 400 electronic gaming stations, a poker room, Texas Hold’em Poker tables, Black Jack, Chemin de Fer, Craps, French and American Roulette, Fairoulette, Caribbean Poker, Punto Bianco, Trente Quarante, international tournaments, electronic games.
Hotel Saint Vincent
Saint Vincent is one of the most famous resorts in the Aosta Valley and one of the most fascinating tourist destinations, both in summer and in winter, for skiing, winter sports, excursions and many activities, the Terme di Saint Vincent and the very famous Casino de la Vallèe. There are many hotels to choose from, from traditional mountain style to the most modern, without forgetting the delightful B & Bs, holiday homes and farmhouses.
Recommended hotels in Saint Vincent:
Parc Hotel Billia : annexed to the Casino de la Vallèe, the grand Hotel Billia is one of the most famous in Saint Vincent. Majestic and imposing, nestled between the Alps of the Aosta Valley, this hotel is located in a privileged position, a few steps from the main ski resorts. Historic hotel in the city, opened since 1908. Guests have access to a summer swimming pool, bar, restaurant, spa obtained from the ancient cellars of the building, and conference rooms.
Best Western Hotel Alla Posta : elegant 4-star hotel in the center of Saint Vincent, family-run since 1939. Forty rooms and suites furnished in the most traditional alpine style, a restaurant and a fitness and SPA area.
Hotel De La ville : welcoming 4-star hotel in Saint Vincent, characteristic and comfortable rooms, simply furnished.
Paradise Hotel & Wellness : elegant and in a panoramic position, in front of the Ussel Castle, and a few steps from the Casino de la Vallèè. The 32 rooms are furnished in a classic style, with wooden floors, terraces and balconies, at guests’ disposal a spa, with swimming pool and grotto with emotional showers, Roman and Finnish sauna, Turkish bath, salt room, massage and treatment rooms. .
Lerinon Village : prestigious apartments, in a panoramic area, just a few minutes drive from the center of Saint Vincent, the historic thermal baths and the Casino de la Vallèe. In the hamlet of Lerinon, a characteristic ancient village located at 1080mt. Independent apartments with garden, obtained from a careful restoration.
Restaurants in Saint Vincent
Valle d’Aosta is a wonderful land and its traditional cuisine is no exception, an extraordinary variety of ingredients, from cured meats to vegetables, many restaurants in Saint Vincent where you can taste the traditional cuisine of the Aosta Valley, for a unique experience in one of the most beautiful regions of Italy!
A selection of the best restaurants in Saint Vincent:
LE PETIT BIJOU : Piazza Vittorio Veneto 3, 11027 Saint-Vincent – +39 334 938 8467
A LA TABLE DU SOMMELIER : Via Emilio Chanoux 10, 11027 Saint Vincent – +39 3332081531
BORRACHO VINOSTERIA : Via Emilio Chanoux 33, 11027 Saint Vincent – +39 3478166790
RISTORANTE LE GRENIER : Piazza Monte Zerbion 1, 11027 Saint Vincent – +39 0166510138
RISTORANTE OLYMPIC : Via Guglielmo Marcono 2, 11027 Saint Vincent – +39 0166512377
ETOILE DE NEIGE : Località Pallu – Colle di Joux, 11027 Saint Vincent – +390166537701
RISTORANTE LA ROSA BIANCA : Via Emimio Chanoux 38/40, 11027 Saint Vincent – +39 0166512691
RISTORANTE GISA : Via Emilio Chanoux 89, 11027 Saint Vincent – +39 0166512374
ATMOSPHERE RESTAURANT : Via Piemonte 7, 11027 Saint Vincent – +39 3386214606
LA GROLLA : Piazza Aosta 1, 11027 Saint Vincent – +39 0166512730