🍂❄️ What to Do in Autumn and Winter in the Aosta Valley Between Châtillon and Saint-Vincent

🍂 Autumn and Winter in the Aosta Valley: Nature, Culture, and Relaxation

🚶 Panoramic Walks: Col de Joux and Ussel Castle

🌲 Col de Joux: a scenic path starting from Saint-Vincent, climbing through woods 🌳, chapels ⛪, and small hamlets 🏘️ up to a panoramic pass. Here you will find a family-friendly area 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦, a small alpine lake 🏞️, and the Etoile de Neige restaurant 🍽️ — perfect for a stop with traditional Aosta Valley cuisine and spectacular mountain views ⛰️.

🏰 Ussel Castle: reachable on foot 🚶 from Châtillon in about one hour, following a simple yet charming trail. This rare example of a monoblock medieval castle 🏯 dominates the central valley from a rocky spur and is surrounded by a small park with a playground 🎠. For a tasty break, nearby you’ll find Chez Nous, a cozy restaurant 🍷 serving traditional dishes.

👉 Trail info: saintvincent@turismo.vda.it

🚠 Chamois: Autumn Charm and Winter Magic

Chamois, the only car-free village in Italy, accessible only on foot or by cable car, is an experience worth enjoying in every season.
The cable car  departs from Buisson (Valtournenche), just 15 minutes by car from Liberty House Alps, also served by a convenient bus line with a stop near the apartments.

🍂 In autumn: wandering through the hamlets of Chamois means diving into the colors of the foliage, visiting the picturesque Lake Lod, and experiencing the authenticity of a mountain village without cars.

❄️ In winter: ski slopes open on November 29–30, then on December weekends and daily from December 20, 2025, to April 6, 2026. A small-scale ski resort, ideal for those seeking sports, relaxation, and authenticity.

👉 Cable car info & fares: lovechamois.it

🏛️ Discovering Roman Aosta

Just 20 minutes from Châtillon and Saint-Vincent, the city of Aosta preserves a unique Roman heritage in the Alps.

Walking through the historic center 🏛️, you will encounter extraordinary monuments: the Arch of Augustus 🏗️, Porta Praetoria 🏰, the Roman Theatre 🎭, and underground archaeological areas ⚒️.

A true open-air museum 🌍, perfect to visit even in autumn 🍂 and winter ❄️, perhaps combined with a wine tasting 🍷 in the old town or a stroll through the Marché Vert Noël 🎄 during the holidays.



👉 Combined tickets & info: valledaostaheritage.com

♨️ Wellness at the Saint-Vincent Thermal Baths

Just 5 minutes from Châtillon, the renowned Saint-Vincent Thermal Baths are a true oasis of wellness open year-round. Panoramic thermal pools, regenerating wellness paths, treatments, and massages make this center a must for those looking for relaxation and self-care. The thermal origin dates back to 1770, with the discovery of the Fons Salutis spring, famous for its therapeutic properties.



📍 Viale IV Novembre, 100 – Saint-Vincent
👉 laviadelleterme.it

🎲 Fun at the Casino de la Vallée

The Casino de la Vallée in Saint-Vincent, one of the largest casinos in Europe, is a landmark of Aosta Valley nightlife. It offers elegant gaming rooms with tables and slot machines, as well as events, shows, and fine dining options. A place that blends tradition and modernity, perfect for an evening after a day of hiking or spa relaxation.

📍 Via Italo Mus, 1 – Saint-Vincent
👉 casinodelavallee.com

🔭 Stargazing at the Lignan Astronomical Observatory

About 40 minutes from Châtillon lies the Astronomical Observatory of the Aosta Valley, in the village of Lignan (Nus). At over 1,600 meters above sea level, under a clear sky far from light pollution, visitors can join guided tours, telescope observations, and educational workshops. Next door, the Planetarium of Lignan offers virtual journeys among stars and galaxies — a fascinating experience for families, enthusiasts, and the curious of all ages.

👉 Program & bookings: oavda.it

🖼️ Arte e cultura al Castello Gamba

Located right in Châtillon, Castello Gamba 🖼️ is the museum of modern and contemporary art of the Aosta Valley. Inside, it preserves over 150 works 🎨 including paintings and sculptures by Italian and international artists, along with temporary exhibitions 🖌️ and educational activities 📚.

From our Liberty House Alps apartments, the castle is easily reachable by walking through the village of Châtillon 🏘️ and crossing the scenic Pont Neuf 🌉 over the Marmore gorge 🌊. A short but charming route leading to one of the region’s most important cultural landmarks.

From the surrounding park 🌳, visitors can also enjoy stunning views of the mountains ⛰️ and the medieval village.

📍 Località Cret-de-Breil – Châtillon
👉 castellogamba.vda.it

🏰 Mostre e cultura al Forte di Bard

Just a few minutes from Châtillon, the majestic Forte di Bard is one of the symbols of the Aosta Valley. This 19th-century fortress, perfectly restored, is today an international cultural hub.

In autumn and winter 2025, it hosts three major exhibitions:
🎨 Street Art Revolution. Banksy & Co.  (until November 2, 2025)
🗡️ Heroes. Evolution of a Myth from Ancient to Contemporary Japan (until November 30, 2025)
🪨 Donato Savin. Stele (until December 31, 2025)

Besides the exhibitions, the Forte offers breathtaking views over the central valley and serves as 🏰 the gateway to the medieval village of Bard.

📍 Bard (AO)
👉 fortedibard.it

🏎️ Adrenalina ai Go Kart La Quercia

For an afternoon of speed and fun, head to the La Quercia 58 go-kart track in Pontey, just a few minutes from Châtillon. Surrounded by mountains and with a view of Castello Gamba, the track is open even in winter on sunny days. The venue also hosts Le Vagabonde Café, offering homemade dishes in a cozy atmosphere, including their signature house burger.

📍 Via Ponte Romano, 180 – Pontey
👉 Info & bookings laquercia58.com

🎈 Hot-Air Balloon Flights over the Aosta Valley

For a truly unforgettable experience, discover the Aosta Valley from above on a hot-air balloon flight. Departures take place every morning from Aosta, offering breathtaking views of the Alps ⛰️, medieval castles 🏰, and picturesque villages 🌲.

In autumn  🍂, the warm colors of the forests create a spectacular natural canvas, while in winter  ❄️ the snowy peaks sparkle in the morning light. Ballooning is perfect for couples, families, or anyone who wants to enjoy the silence and magic of slowly flying above the mountains.

👉 Info and bookings: mongolfiere.it