Montjovet: Vineyards, Hiking Trails and History

Montjovet combines a distinctive local history with a hilly landscape where vineyards, forests and chestnut groves come together. This gives you different options for your trip: historic buildings, a transport route with a long history of use, and hikes through distinctive landscapes. If you are looking for a hotel in Montjovet, these themes can help you choose a place that suits your travel interests. The sights and trails reveal different facets of the municipality—from the castle to the spring bloom in the Arlaz forest.

Transport History and Heritage

The Mongiovetta road was built in 1771 to make transport and trade easier. It is still used today to reach nearby Saint-Vincent. It shows that Montjovet’s history can be seen not only in its buildings, but also in a transport route that remains in use.

Castello di Chenal was built no earlier than the 13th century and belonged to the lords of Montjovet. By contrast, the parish church Chiesa parrocchiale della Natività di S. Maria was built around 1830 and consecrated on 3 May 1837. The castle and church thus represent different historical periods: the castle is defined by its early date and connection to the lords of Montjovet, while the church’s construction period and consecration date set its historical context.

Another facet of local history is the Mulino di Arlaz. After years of decay, the mill was restored. Its history therefore includes both deterioration and subsequent restoration. As a mill, it adds a different type of building to the historical context alongside the castle and parish church.

Vineyards, Forests and Hiking

The hilly landscape of Montjovet combines distinctive vineyards with walking trails through forests and chestnut groves. Viticulture and wooded areas therefore sit side by side, rather than the landscape being defined by just one kind of setting. If you would like to include walks in nature as well as historic buildings in your trip, the hikes described here offer different highlights.

The hike from Barmachande to Lago di Villa starts in the hamlet of Barmachande in Montjovet, passes through Chambis and reaches the Lago di Villa reserve. These stops make the route clear: after starting in the hamlet, it passes through Chambis and ends at the reserve. The tour is thus defined by its sequence of places and its named destination.

The Il bosco di Arlaz hike leads into a forest of spruce trees, where there is a profusion of blooms in spring. The slabs along the mule track bear rock carvings and cup marks. Nature and archaeological traces are part of the same route: the forest and its spring flowers provide the landscape setting, while the markings on the stones offer another point of interest along the way.

The two hikes offer different highlights. The route from Barmachande focuses on the trail through Chambis and the Lago di Villa reserve as its destination; Il bosco di Arlaz is defined by its spruce forest, spring blooms and the traces on the stone slabs. This difference can help you choose the right hike based on the landscape and themes you are looking for.

Discover more destinations: Ollomont, Saint Nicolas, Bionaz, Lillianes, Ayas, Verrand, Aosta, Antey-Saint-André

For the overview of the wider region: Aosta Valley.