Lillianes: Chestnut Culture, Trails and Historic Sites

Lillianes between the Lys and chestnut culture

The Torrente Lys runs through the built-up area of Lillianes. Chestnut cultivation shapes the landscape of Lillianes. The Museo della Castagna is housed in the building of the “Il Riccio” cooperative. The museum displays tools and objects that were used, especially in the past, to process chestnuts. In October, the Museo della Castagna offers the opportunity to follow the current stages of the chestnut harvest and processing.

Historic sites with clearly dated histories

The historic stone bridge of Lillianes was built in 1733. The parish church of San Rocco was completed in 1723 on the foundations of a chapel dating from 1490. The Baroque high altar of San Rocco was created between 1763 and 1770 by the sculptor J.B. Gilardi and his son Giuseppe. Those interested in older architectural and craft history will therefore find several specific points of interest in Lillianes, each associated with a different period.

Walking routes through hamlets and chestnut landscapes

Those wishing to explore Lillianes on foot can plan the Passeggiata del Canale as a completely flat walking route. The Passeggiata del Canale is also recommended for families with small children. The Passeggiata del Canale is well suited to mountain biking. It can therefore be considered both as a flat walking route and for a mountain-bike ride. The Tour dei villaggi leads through the scattered hamlets of Lillianes. These hamlets are known for their rural architecture and old chapels.

The Percorso delle Grehe (or Gra) leads to the surviving rooms where chestnuts were dried.

Routes to Colle della Lace and Rifugio Coda

The Grande Attraversata delle Alpi crosses Colle della Lace. One stage of the Cammino Balteo from Pont-Saint-Martin ends in Lillianes. On the way to Rifugio Coda, follow trail no. 1 through a larch and birch forest. Hikers therefore have several clearly named routes to choose from: Colle della Lace, a stage of the Cammino Balteo, and access to Rifugio Coda via forest trail no. 1.

Gold mine and summer on the Torrente Lys

Gold was mined in the gallery of the Revers gold mine for ten years, from 1816 to 1826. The gallery of the Revers gold mine can be entered with a flashlight. Along the Torrente Lys, “Lillianes Beach” opens in summer, where beach volleyball and other sports tournaments are organised. The two sites have different focuses: the gallery refers to the former gold mining activities, while sports tournaments take place along the Torrente Lys in summer.

Getting there by bus

Lillianes can be reached via the “Pont-Saint-Martin - Gressoney” bus line. This provides a specifically named bus connection for planning your trip.

Further destinations: Chateau, Valgrisenche, Fénis Ao, Challand-Saint-Anselme, Villeneuve, Champdepraz, Etroubles, Gignod

Back to the main travel overview: Aosta Valley.