Bard in the Aosta Valley: Fortress, Village and Historic Routes

Between the Narrow Valley, Steep Rocky Slope and Dora Baltea

Bard lies at an altitude of 381 m in the narrowest section of the Aosta Valley. The rocks of Bard drop steeply down to the Dora Baltea. At Bard, the river forms a meander, meaning a pronounced bend in the river. The narrow valley, steep rocky slope and curved river course define the immediate setting of the village.

Medieval Village, Parish Church and Bell Tower

The medieval village of Bard is one of the best-preserved historic villages in the Aosta Valley. The parish of Bard has been documented since 1176. The present parish church of Bard was built around the middle of the 19th century. The bell tower of the parish church of Bard retains Romanesque features. The parish is therefore older than the present church.

The Forte di Bard: Early 19th-Century Barrier Fortress

The Forte di Bard is one of the best examples of an early 19th-century barrier fortress. Its construction period therefore belongs neither to the medieval history of the village nor to the Roman period of the consular road.

Historic Routes: Via Francigena and Roman Consular Road

The Via Francigena runs through the entire village of Bard at the foot of the Forte di Bard. A section of the Roman consular road from Bard was built between 31 and 25 BC. Route planning can therefore take into account both a pilgrimage route passing through the village and a historic road section from the Roman period.

Geosito di Bard, Rock Art and Tourist E-Bike Route

At the Geosito di Bard e arte rupestre, a landslide, erratic boulders, glacial potholes, roches moutonnées and rock art can be observed. Erratic boulders are individual, usually larger blocks of rock; glacial potholes and roches moutonnées are geological formations. The natural features and the rock art can be viewed separately there. A tourist e-bike route runs along the two uphill roads leading from the village of Bard to the fortress. The starting point is in the village of Bard, and the destination is at the fortress. For an e-bike tour, the climb must therefore be planned as part of the route.

Marché au Fort: Regional Food, Wine and Demonstrations

Marché au Fort was an exhibition market for traditional food and wine products from the Aosta Valley, organized on the second Sunday in October. The program included producers’ stalls, tastings, traditional activities, visits to the surrounding area and demonstrations. The market therefore focused on regional products from the Aosta Valley. The regional products were presented alongside a program of activities, visits to the surrounding area and demonstrations.

Getting There by the Pont-Saint-Martin/Aosta Bus Route

Bard can be reached by the Pont-Saint-Martin/Aosta bus route; the stop is located on National Road 26. The bus route runs between Pont-Saint-Martin and Aosta.

Further destinations for planning your trip: Saint Jacques, Coveyrand, Sarre, Etroubles, Morgex, Saint Pierre, Valpelline, Ayas

To the higher-level travel overview: Aosta Valley.