The Aosta Valley is the smallest (3262 km2) and least densely populated (114,000 inhab.) Italian Region.
The Aosta Valley is a typically mountainous Region, with an average altitude of 2106 m. In view of a sustainable improvement of services in the mountainous areas, a study area has been selected including a group of seven Municipalities having similar features and sharing the typical problems that the local mountainous Municipalities are faced with: i.e. Chamois, La Magdeleine, Valgrisenche, Bionaz , Oyace, Champorcher and Pontboset. More: Aosta Valley map
Download: the final report of the study tour in English and the participants presentation.
Programme and description of the municipalities
Click on the name of the municipality to see a brief description and some pictures.
October 4, 2005
Municipality of Pontboset, visit to:
- “La via degli orridi” (The Ravine Way), i.e. a thematic pathway along the main river course of Ayasse and across the several stone bridges.
- Visit to a refurbished traditional windmill during lunch.
Municipality of Champorcher, visit to:
- the Co-operative “Lo dzeut”, specialised in the typical hemp weaving.
October 5, 2005 :
Municipality of Chamois, visit to:
- the “Rascard des traditions”, i.e. a photographic exhibition gallery.
- The picnic area along the banks of the Lod lake.
- The basket handicraft workshop.
Municipality of La Magdeleine, visit to:
- the refurbished windmill and bakery pathway.
- Visit to the factory “Douce Vallée”, specialising in the production of raspberry vinegar and other typical products.
October 6, 2005 :
Municipality of Valgrisenche, visit to:
- the Beauregard Dam, used for the generation of hydroelectric power but also for climbing.
- The Co-operative “Les Tisserands”, specialising in cloth-weaving (sheets).
- The “Fontina” shop, i.e. a typical PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) cheese of the Aosta Valley.
Municipality of Bionaz, visit to:
- the Place Moulin Dam.
- The workshop manufacturing the “Landzettes”, i.e. a typical Carnival velvet costume of the Region.
- The “Fontina” cheese dairy and shop, i.e. a typical PDO cheese of the Aosta Valley.
Municipality of Oyace, visit to:
- milk and dairy products : the whole process from the stable to the dairy shop.
