Unité des Communes Grand-Paradis Villeneuve

Villeneuve: An Enchantment Between History and Nature in the Aosta Valley
Discover Villeneuve, a jewel set in the Aosta Valley, perfect for nature and history lovers. Explore its cultural heritage and wonderful opportunities for outdoor activities.

Introduction

In the heart of the Aosta Valley, Villeneuve (Veullanoua in Valle d’Aosta patois) presents itself as a small commune of 1,211 inhabitants, rich in history and nestled in a breathtaking natural landscape. Located along the Dora Baltea, the commune is an ideal base for hiking in the Gran Paradiso National Park.

History and Culture

Villeneuve has deep historical roots, with the Route of Gaul passing through the commune in Roman times. The 13th-century Châtel-Argent castle towers over the town and testifies to its historical importance. The 19th-century foundry, another point of interest, reflects Villeneuve’s industrial importance in the past.

Nature and Sports

Because of its location, Villeneuve is perfect for lovers of outdoor activities. It offers skiing and mountaineering routes in the Gran Paradiso National Park. During summer, the waters of the Dora Baltea are ideal for rafting, while in winter, the surrounding valleys become havens for cross-country skiing and mountaineering.

Festivals and Traditions

The“Fiha di Barmé,” a traditional festival, celebrates Villeneuve’s historic wineries, where visitors can taste local wines. This festival is an authentic expression of the commune’s culture and traditions.

For the Little Ones

Villeneuve also offers dedicated spaces for younger children, such as the river park and adventure park, which provide fun and adventure for the whole family. Villeneuve represents an ideal destination for those seeking the perfect combination of history, culture and outdoor activities. Situated in a prime location, it offers unique experiences for all visitors. It is also easily accessible both by car and public transportation, thanks to its proximity to Aosta and the presence of its own train station.

Villeneuve is definitely a very interesting place from a historical point of view : from prehistory to the Middle Ages to Fascism, this small town has much to tell. Examples of this are the following must-see attractions such as:

The Champrotard necropolis, a reservoir of various artifacts and objects from the prehistoric period and basically from the Roman era; the Châtel-Argent castle of great strategic-military importance, dating back to the 13th century, under which stood the Villeneuve Marble quarry. In fact, the name “argent,” which means silver in French, is linked to the fascinating reflections produced by the local marble. Finally, another historic pillar of the village worth seeing is the Church of Santa Maria Assunta, one of the oldest religious buildings in the Aosta Valley. Obviously in this area for Trekking enthusiasts there is no shortage of excursions, among the most popular we have the itinerary between the churches and castles Saint-Roch – Châtel Argent – Villeneuve and the river route. An activity not to be missed in Villeneuve is the “Fiha di Barmè,” . This typically Aosta Valley festival has taken place every year since 2007 in the small village of Villeneuve. It was conceived to make the most of the Barmè, cellars carved into the rock of the “Becca” , inside which are hosted wine producers who offer tastings of their products 100% made in valle d’aosta.