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Challand-Saint-Victor

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Last Visit: 01/05/2025
municipalities
Europe
Italy
Aosta Valley
Ayas Valley

Access

Challand-Saint-Victor is easily reached by car from the A5 motorway (Verrès exit), continuing for 5 km along the Val d'Ayas regional road SR45. The nearest railway station is Verrès, on the Turin-Aosta line, with connecting buses operated by Arriva Valle d'Aosta. The reference airports are Turin-Caselle (107 km) and Milan-Malpensa (169 km). The local road network, well maintained even in winter, makes it easy to reach all the hamlets.

Introduction

Challand-Saint-Victor, a charming Valdostan municipality located 750 metres above sea level at the entrance to the Val d'Ayas, represents a perfect balance of medieval history and Alpine nature. Dominated by the ruins of the castle of Villa, the ancient stronghold of the powerful Challant family, this village of just over 500 inhabitants retains its old-world charm, with its stone villages clinging to the mountain slopes and the charming Lake of Villa, a nature reserve that is home to rare botanical species. Its sunny location, sheltered from the wind, makes it an ideal destination for those seeking authenticity and tranquillity, just a few kilometres from the most renowned resorts in the Aosta Valley.

Description

The municipal territory stretches along the middle valley of the Évançon, with a landscape that alternates between steep wooded slopes and cultivated terraces, where traditional agriculture and animal husbandry are still practised. The main centre of Villa, with its characteristic stone and wooden houses, is flanked by picturesque hamlets such as Isollaz, known for its spectacular waterfall of the same name, and Bonot, dominated by the medieval tower of the same name. The Nature Reserve of Lake Villa, a true ecological jewel, occupies a glacial basin at an altitude of 1,040 metres, surrounded by dense coniferous forests that turn a thousand colours in autumn.
The origins of Challand-Saint-Victor date back to prehistoric times, as testified by the dolmen of Col d'Arlaz, but it was in the Middle Ages that the village experienced its greatest splendour as a fief of the Challant family. Hebalo I, progenitor of the dynasty, made the castle of Villa his favourite residence in the 13th century, while in the following centuries the figure of Catherine of Challant indissolubly linked these lands to the vicissitudes of the nearby castle of Verrès. The imposing ruins of the manor house, with its well-preserved square tower, recount centuries of Valdostan history, from feudal struggles to peaceful rural life.
The local economy is based mainly on mountain agriculture, with a focus on the production of DOP fontina cheese and other alpine pasture cheeses, and on wood craftsmanship, which still boasts sabotier masters (producers of traditional clogs). The Isollaz hydroelectric power plant exploits the waters of the Évançon, while tourism, although discrete, is a growing resource thanks to the hiking potential and historical heritage.
Cultural life revolves around events such as the Bataille des Reines, the traditional cow fight that takes place in the meadows near the lake, and the Festa del Lago (second Sunday in August), with tastings of typical products and folk music. The local cuisine offers robust dishes typical of Valle d'Aosta cuisine, while handicrafts preserve ancient techniques of wool and wood processing. Particularly evocative is the Travail de Veillà (14 August), a re-enactment of ancient peasant trades.
For hikers, Challand-Saint-Victor is a true paradise: from the easy hike along the Ru d'Arlaz, an ancient irrigation canal that leads to the Orbeillaz waterfall, to the more demanding itinerary that leads to the Monte dell'Aquila (2,347 m), with panoramic views over the entire Val d'Ayas. The Reserve of Lago di Villa offers nature trails suitable for all ages, while the more adventurous can explore the striking Flambeau d'Arlaz, a curious natural monolith. In winter, the slopes of the Champoluc-Brusson ski resort are only 20 km away.

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Information

Area: 25.00 sq. km
Altitude: 744m
Maximum elevation: 3,015m - Tchalland
Number of inhabitants: 550 (as of 31.12.2020)
Name in dialect: Tchallan
Inhabitant name: Challandins
Patron Saint: Saint Victor of Solothurn (30 November)
Neighbouring municipalities: Arnad, Challand-Saint-Anselme, Émarèse, Issime, Montjovet, Verrès
Website: www.comune.challand-st-victor.ao.it

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