Saint Vincent: Heritage and Trails Through the Landscape

If you’re looking for a hotel in Saint Vincent, the area offers several themes to consider when planning your trip: mineralogical heritage, historic buildings, trails through forests and vineyards, and local produce. Each attraction and route has its own focus—from the collection at the Mineralogical Museum to the waterways at Col de Joux.

Heritage and Historic Wine Presses

The Mineralogical Museum in Saint-Vincent is the only mineralogical museum in the Aosta Valley. It displays minerals from the mountains around Saint-Vincent, especially from Monte Barbeston. The collection therefore also highlights the mineralogical diversity of the surrounding mountains.

The Chiesa di San Maurizio di Moron is one of the oldest churches in the Aosta Valley. In Amay, the Museo d’Arte Sacra in the hamlet’s church houses a statue of the patron saint, dated 1628. Both places offer a glimpse into the area’s religious heritage; the statue connects a specific date with a named work of art and its place of safekeeping.

The historic wine presses also illustrate different construction methods. The wine press at Capard has explanatory panels describing how it works as a lever press. By contrast, the restored wine press at Maison-Neuve retains its historic screw with a stone counterweight and large walnut-wood lever beams. Visitors interested in traditional crafts will find two different examples of the technology and construction of these presses.

Trails Through Forests, Vineyards, and Hilly Landscapes

The Saint-Vincent–Moron trail passes through rich chestnut and beech forest and follows a canal along its entire length. It leads to Moron, a hilltop settlement at an altitude of 833 metres, made up of seven hamlets. The forest, waterway, and settlement pattern of Moron together shape the character of this route.

Another circular trail runs from Saint-Vincent via Terme, La Tour Rosset, and Tzan Mort to Capard. Along the way, vineyards, hay meadows, and coppice woods alternate; the route also passes centuries-old chestnut trees. Tzan-Mort is associated with traditional games. The route thus combines varied landscape with a place known for this local tradition.

From Maison-Neuve, a level path leads to the traditional games field. Beside it, a comfortable mule track climbs uphill to Dizeille and Perrière. These two options differ both in their course and destination: one leads to the playing field, while the other continues uphill to the two places named.

The Ru Courtaud and the Landscape

For more than 600 years, the Ru Courtaud irrigation system has been used to bring greenery to the sunny hillside of Saint-Vincent. Its water flows above ground through the forest at Col de Joux. The Ru Courtaud can also be used as an alternative route through nature. Those exploring the area’s trails will find both an old irrigation system and a watercourse running through a forest landscape.

Local Produce and Events

In Salirod, visitors can tour the cellars of the local dairy. Fontina wheels are stored and matured there, and cheese and other locally made products are available to buy. The visit offers both a glimpse into the cheese-maturing process and the opportunity to discover products from the region.

The Carnevale dei piccoli lasts a week and ends on Shrove Tuesday with a celebration in one of the town’s squares. Polenta and sausages are handed out to everyone at the end. The schedule described makes the final day, with its communal meal, a particular highlight of the event.

Practical Information for Getting Around

The Saint-Vincent tourist office is located on the town’s central pedestrian street. Beneath the parish church is an archaeological site, accessed via an educational underground tour. Check the current schedule before visiting.

The Casino de la Vallée covers 3,500 square metres over two floors and has more than 400 electronic gaming stations. It opens at 10 a.m. seven days a week; check the opening hours before your visit.

Discover more destinations: Rhemes-Saint-Georges, Brengon, Lignan, Oyace, Gratillon, Valpelline, La Salle, Lillianes.

Back to the regional travel overview: Aosta Valley.