HISTORY The Legend of Challand

In one of the most evocative valleys in the Aosta Valley, the legend of Challand-Saint-Anselme is intertwined with nature in a story shrouded in mystery and adventure. In the picturesque village of Challand, the d’Arlaz stream draws a spectacular waterfall into the landscape, which not only enchants visitors with its beauty, but also hides an ancient and precious secret.

The Hidden Treasure under the Waterfall

According to local legend, a fabulous treasure lies under a rock near the Challand Waterfall. This treasure, shrouded in mysteries, is only visible on cold winter nights when the waters of the waterfall freeze over, transforming the landscape into an enchanted world of ice and silence. It is said that the formation of the ice reveals a door, an opening carved in the rock that leads to a hidden cave.

Christmas Midnight and the Magic Portal

The door to the treasure cave is said to open only at midnight on Christmas Eve, a time when the veil between the natural and supernatural worlds thins. This is the hour when the bold and courageous can attempt to gain access to the buried treasure, but face the dark guards protecting it.

The Infernal Guardian: The Black Calf

Guarding the treasure is a black calf, a creature of an infernal nature, which incessantly watches over the hidden riches. The black calf, according to legend, is enchanted by the sound of the local church bells, which render it harmless for only a few minutes. It is during this short time that adventurers can attempt to open the chest without falling into the clutches of eternal fate in hell.

The Risk and Temptation

The challenge of taking advantage of these precious minutes to enrich oneself while avoiding a cursed fate is a recurring theme in stories of hidden treasures. In Challand, the temptation of unimaginable wealth is balanced by the terror of catastrophic failure, making the legend as much a warning as an invitation.

A Call to Discovery

For visitors to Challand-Saint-Anselme, this legend adds a veil of mystery and adventure to the already fascinating tour of its waterfalls and natural landscapes. In addition to the lure of physical exploration, the story also invites a journey into the imaginary, where local folklore blends with the wild beauty of the Aosta Valley.