Arvier Villages of Petit and Grand Haury

Discover Grand-Haury and Petit-Haury: Two Enchanting Mountain Hamlets

The hamlets of Grand-Haury and Petit-Haury, located in the beautiful Aosta Valley, offer a fascinating combination of history, culture, and breathtaking scenery.
Explore these two mountain gems, ideal for nature and history lovers.

Grand-Haury: A Journey through Time

Arriving in Grand-Haury, the first building you will encounter is the chapel dedicated to St. Mary Magdalene, first mentioned in a notarial deed of 1362.
The present structure dates back to 1473.
A local legend tells of two old statues of St. Hilary and St. Barbara that, after being mistreated, caused a violent storm, with cracks appearing on the rocks above the village, reminding the inhabitants to respect the sacred symbols.
The houses of Grand-Haury are aligned along an axis that leads from the chapel to the mill, passing a recently restored bakery used for community events.
Many of the houses have been carefully restored and some house accommodations that attract many tourists.
Near the hamlet, on a rocky outcrop, stands the Castle of Montmayeur.
Founded in 1271 by the nobles Anselm and Aimone d’Avise, the castle features a cylindrical tower with swallowtail battlements.
Despite being a ruin today, the castle remains one of the most impressive in the Aosta Valley.
Recently, some treasure seekers have ventured into its surroundings, lured by legends of an ancient hidden treasure.

Petit-Haury: History and Traditions

Continuing along the municipal road from Arvier to Grand-Haury is the small village of Petit-Haury.
In 1729, thanks to the donation of Jean-François Darbelley and other benefactors, schools were built for the children of Petit-Haury and Grand-Haury.
However, due to tensions between the communities, these schools operated alternately in the two villages until the 1950s, when they were rebuilt.
Petit-Haury houses a chapel dedicated to St. Margaret, stripped during the French invasion of 1691 and rebuilt in 1738.
Opposite the recently restored community bakery stands the old village school, which closed permanently in 1965 due to gradual depopulation.
Near the village is an old water-powered sawmill dating back to 1880, owned by the Chevrère family, which testifies to the local craft tradition. Conclusion Grand-Haury and Petit-Haury represent two mountain hamlets rich in history and tradition.
Between fascinating legends, historic buildings, and breathtaking views, these hamlets offer a unique experience for those wishing to discover the heart of the Aosta Valley.