Discover Ozein: Bread Tradition, Architectural History and Mountain Trails

Ozein: Village Tradition and Mountain Landscape

Ozein reveals its special character where village baking traditions, religious architectural history, local cuisine and mountain trails come together. If you would like to get to know a place not only through its landscape but also through its traditional customs, its bread-making tradition offers a particularly tangible point of access. Traditionally, bread baking in Ozein began in December. In addition, all the families of Ozein brought their bread to be baked in the same oven. Bread was therefore closely connected with the communal life of the village. December was the traditional period, and the communal oven stood at the centre of this village practice.

Favò, Festivals and Local Traditions

Over the course of the year, two cultural events with different focuses take place in Ozein. The Favò festival takes place every year at the end of July in Ozein, a hamlet of Aymavilles. Favò consists of pasta, Fontina, black bread toasted in butter, sausage, bacon and broad beans. In August, a statue of Saint Theodul decorated with grapes is carried in procession through the streets of Ozein to pray for a bountiful harvest. Thus, at the end of July the traditional dish Favò takes centre stage, while in August the religious custom of the procession through the village follows. The two months each give local cuisine and the religious calendar their own place.

Fortified House and Chapel in Ozein

The Tornalla is part of the village’s historical heritage. In the hamlet of Pos in the village of Ozein stands this 15th-century fortified house with a round tower and a spiral staircase. You can reach the Tornalla via the small road to the left of Ozein church. The access route thus leads from a prominent point in the village to the historic site in Pos. The village is also home to the present-day Chapel of Saint Barbara and Saint Theodul. It dates from the 18th century, while its bell tower apparently dates from the 16th century. The Chapel of Saint Barbara and Saint Theodul in Ozein has been documented since 1454. The fortified house and chapel therefore represent two different aspects of the village’s history: defensive architecture and religious tradition.

Hiking to Pointe de La Pierre

Ozein is also the starting point for two hikes through the mountain landscape. The Ozein–Pointe de La Pierre hike reaches Pointe de La Pierre at an altitude of 2,642 metres. Its route initially follows Trail 8 and then continues on Trail 1 to Pointe de La Pierre. On the Turlin-Dessus hike from Ozein, the pastureland offers beautiful views of the Grivola, Mont Blanc and the mountains around Aosta. The two trails have different focuses from Ozein: the route to Pointe de La Pierre follows Trail 8 and Trail 1 to a destination at 2,642 metres, while Turlin-Dessus combines pastureland with views of Grivola, Mont Blanc and the mountains around Aosta. This means that hiking plans can include both a specific high-altitude destination and a landscape with far-reaching mountain views.

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