Avise and its Castles

Avise is a tiny hamlet in Valle d’Aosta region. It is located where the Valdigne begins, that is the last part of Valle d’Aosta which ends in front of Mont Blanc. Avise has a strategic position because it is hanged up on the flank of a very narrow point of the valley where Dora Baltea – the main river of Valle d’Aosta – flows into a deep gully.

Thanks to this particular position, since the Roman era, Avise was used mainly for the control of goods traffic towards Piccolo San Bernardo pass, the unique natural gateway to the France.

This strategic role of Avise, was maintained even in the Middle Ages. In that period the hamlet was under the powerful Avise family, one of those few that wasn’t under the control of Savoia, the most important family of Valle d’Aosta district.

The small hamlet has three different castles due to its strategic importance:

The ruins of Casaforte Ducrest also known as Castello di Cré, a fortress located in an area named Cré very close to Avise.

Castello di Avise located at the entrance of the hamlet. It dates back to year 1492 and is a fortress well preserved. Nowadays its premises are used as restaurant and winery where you can taste fantastic local wines.

Castello Blonay is located close to the church of the hamlet. The tower of this castle – used in the past as a prison –  dates back to XII century and the rest of the building dates back to XV century. Nowadays it cannot be visited.

If you want more information please contact us using the info box !

Click images to see their description.