Exilles: Fortress, Mountains and Regional Tradition

Exilles combines an impressive fortress history with sacred art, a lively grappa tradition and mountain trails. This gives you a range of options when planning your trip: you can explore historic spaces, discover small cultural monuments in Deveys or choose hikes between forests, rock formations and alpine landscapes.

The Forte di Exilles and its history

The Forte di Exilles already existed as a structured complex by 1155 at the latest and is considered one of Piedmont’s oldest architectural monuments and defensive systems. The fortress was opened to the public on July 8, 2000; its interior contains two museum areas with particularly innovative exhibitions. Guided tours provide access to hidden areas and lead through rooms and corridors once used by soldiers and prisoners.

The fortress’s history is also connected with a famous figure: between 1681 and 1687, the famous and mysterious person known as the “Maschera di Ferro” stayed there.

Chapels, Frescoes and the Grappa Tradition

Pierre Odiard had the Cappella di San Rocco e San Sebastiano built as a private votive chapel in 1660. It is dedicated to Saint Roch and Saint Sebastian the Martyr. It probably incorporates stone from an older demolished building, as indicated by remains of pre-Christian bas-reliefs.

In Deveys, the sacred and local history is supplemented by further evidence. The Cappella di San Biagio e San Pietro Apostolo can be reliably dated to the second half of the 15th century based on the interior frescoes rediscovered during recent restorations. At the entrance to the village there is also an anthropomorphic fountain dating from 1773.

Since 2013, the premises in Deveys have housed the Museo della Grappa “Gianfranco Joannas”. It was founded to preserve and promote the tradition of wood-fired distillation, which remains alive in the area. During the first days of December each year, the wood-fired still is made available to the community’s winegrowers so they can produce their own grappa.

Hiking between Valley and Peaks

Many mountains of the Massiccio d’Ambin lie within the municipality of Exilles at the upper end of the Vallone di Galambra, which opens on the orographically left side of the slope. In the same valley, the Rifugio Levi Molinari is the most important of three refuges. It lies at an elevation of 1,850 metres near the hamlet of Grande della Valle, in an area of exceptional natural value.

The short hike to San Colombano follows the old mule track connecting the main village of Exilles with San Colombano. The route passes through mixed forest and by rock outcrops, offering views of the Forte di Exilles. Another easy, short hike leads to 2,401-metre-high Monte Chabrière. It follows the trail to Passo Galambra and Bivacco Mario Sigot before a turnoff leads to the summit cross. From the summit, the view stretches across the middle valley with the Rocciamelone and the upper valley with the Chaberton, as far as Monte Niblé and the watershed along the border.

Getting There and Finding Your Way Around

Sadem bus route 286 connects Exilles with surrounding towns, including Susa and Oulx. A large free car park is located at the foot of the Forte di Exilles, near the entrance. From there, the site is convenient and easy to access.

More Destinations to Compare

For additional stops on your trip to Italy, you may also consider Roure, Agliè, San Raffaele, Piverone, Carmagnola, Strambinello, Gassino Torinese and Lombardore .

For the higher-level travel overview: Turin.