Saint Pierre: Castle, Museum, Wine and Winter Activities
Accommodation in Saint Pierre
Castle, Museum and Historic Sites
The Castle of Saint-Pierre stands on a hill overlooking the town of Saint-Pierre. Since 1985, the Castle of Saint-Pierre has housed the Regional Museum of Natural Sciences.
The Priorato di Saint-Pierre is documented as early as 1176 and was rebuilt between the late 17th and early 18th centuries. The Priorato di Saint-Pierre welcomes guests in single rooms and has two conference rooms, two libraries, two dining rooms and a private chapel.
The tour of the Efisio Noussan Regional Museum of Natural Sciences covers 16 rooms on the ground floor and the two upper floors. On display is the Lyskamm marmot, considered the oldest mummified specimen discovered in Italy.
Landscape and Architectural History
The “Ambienti xerici di Mont Torretta – Bellon” area extends across the municipalities of Sarre and Saint-Pierre. At lower elevations, rare animal and plant species of steppe and/or Mediterranean origin can be found.
The Hall of Heads in Sarriod de La Tour Castle features a wooden ceiling dating from the late 15th century. Anthropomorphic figures, monsters, insects and animals adorn the wood.
In 1420, Jean Sarriod had the existing tower expanded into a representative castle. The expansion added a spiral staircase and crossed windows made of hewn stone.
The parish church of Saints Peter and Paul stands directly below the Castle of Saint-Pierre on a rocky promontory.
Wine and Regional Products
The Di Francesco-Gasperi Vino&Spiriti winery offers year-round tours of the vineyards and tasting room by telephone or written reservation in advance. The family-run Di Barrò winery offers tours of the wine cellar and vineyards with wine tasting, as well as the opportunity to purchase wine during the visit. Château Feuillet offers tours of the wine cellar and vineyards, explaining the wine-making process from harvesting through pressing, fermentation and bottling to maturation.
Winter Activities and Trails
In the hamlet of Vetan, a prepared snow area is available in winter for descents by bob, sled and inflatable tube. Paragliding is possible in Vetan at the foot of Mont Fallère. Along the path from Vetan to the Mont Fallère refuge is an open-air museum with wooden statues. Near the Castle and Priorato of Saint-Pierre, there are outdoor artificial rock-climbing facilities suitable for beginners and advanced climbers.
Getting There and Village Life
Saint-Pierre can be reached from Aosta by bus route 29 “Saint-Pierre–Villefranche” and by the “Aosta–Courmayeur” route. Cofruits collects and stores the apple harvest of local farmers and sells other typical products from the Aosta Valley. The Pro Loco of Saint-Pierre organizes the patronal feast of Saints Peter and Paul with three days of events at the end of June, including meals, dance evenings and activities for children.
Further destinations: Aosta, Etroubles, La Salle, Challand-Saint-Anselme, Chamois, Introd, Sarre
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