Fénis Ao between Castles, Trails and Mountain Landscapes

Culture, Castles and Historic Spaces

The MAV displays more than 1,000 objects of material culture. These include everyday items from the 17th to the 20th century and sculptures from the 13th to the 21st century. The collection thus spans a broad period and creates a distinctive focus alongside the castles and historic sites of Fénis Ao.

Castello di Fénis has a complex and harmonious layout with towers, battlement-crowned walls and valuable decorative features. The courtyard contains a semicircular staircase and wooden balconies decorated with valuable frescoes. Castello di Fénis is visited as part of guided tours, which begin every half hour. Castello di Fenis, a castle, is also located in the immediate vicinity of Fénis.

Other historic destinations are located around Fénis: Castello di Ussel is a castle, Roncas Palace is a palace, and Teatro Romano di Aosta is a historic site. Together, the three places broaden the cultural perspective from a medieval castle complex to a palace and a testament to Roman history.

Easy Trails and Scenic Landscapes

The Ciclovia Baltea is an easy, predominantly level cycling and walking path that runs through Fénis and is suitable for bike rides and family outings away from traffic. The section in Fénis is surfaced with red asphalt and forms a loop. It can be accessed from both the cemetery car park and the Tzanté de Bouva recreational area.

The Le Côteau–Eremo Saint-Julien trail leads through a forest of Scots pine to the octagonal chapel of San Grato and onwards to the Saint-Julien hermitage. Its route offers views towards Val Clavalité. A trail also leads from the Tzanté de Bouva recreational area to the Saint-Julien sanctuary and Mont Corquet. The hike through Val Clavalité to Lago Lavodilec passes through meadows, streams, waterfalls, alpine pastures and forests before reaching Lago Lavodilec.

The surrounding elevations also give the landscape distinct names and varied forms: Monte Ander is a peak in the immediate vicinity of Fénis. Cima Longhede is a mountain in the area around Fénis, as is Becca d'Aver. Saint Evence is a peak in the area around Fénis. Together with the scenic trail towards Val Clavalité, they create a landscape that can be explored through trails, forests, alpine pastures and mountain destinations.

Chestnuts as a Local Highlight

Châtaigne d'or is a three-day event dedicated to chestnuts. This gives a regionally rooted theme related to local specialities a place in Fénis Ao alongside culture and landscape.

Other Places for Trip Planning

Valsavarenche, Verrand, Aosta, Aymavilles, Gaby, Torgnon, Arvier and Epinel

For the overview of the wider travel region: Aosta Valley.