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 Sarre Castle - Cogne Gran Paradiso National Park
Sarre Castle - Photo (c)
anbri22
5 km from Aosta (details concerning the city at page 6), direction Courmayeur on the
right side at Sarre you can visit its castle bought in 1869 by the king Vittorio
Emanuele II of Savoy and transformed as a hunting residence: the internal hall is
decorated with hundreds of trophies of ibexes and chamois. The castle is open to
the public all the year round.
Aymavilles with its Castle - Photo (c)
emmedibi33
 Back on the main road, crossing the bridge over the Dora River you can see
Aymavilles castle (now under restoration). It preserves very little of its original
look since, during the 18th century, it was transformed into a grandiose residence with
a central square tower and 4 round corner towers.
If you want to taste a good wine, you can visit the winery “Cave des onzes communes”
that produces more than 350 bottles of the famous red wine Torrette and another 5 DOC wines.
 Pondel aqueduct bridge - Photo (c)
Ergocogito
3 km from Aymavilles on the road to Cogne it's worth visiting the aqueduct bridge at
Pondel dating back to the 3rd year b.C. Its 52m high archspan is one of the best preserved
in our region.
17 km further up the road you will come to Cogne, one of the nicest villages in the region.
From Cogne you can take a cable car to Montzeuc (2400m) where you can enjoy a wonderful view
on the Gran Paradiso massif and on Cogne Valley. From Cogne you can easily reach
Valnontey and visit the "Paradisia" botanical garden set up in 1955 with a variety of
environments (rocks, peat-moors, marshland, little lakes and streams) exhibiting 2000
species of European and non-European flora (the garden is open from June to
 September).
At Lillaz, another village very close to Cogne, the wonderful waterfalls are not to be
missed, with three falls of totally 150 m. of height.
Cogne - Photo (c)
emmedibi33
Cogne is a popular base for excursions in the Gran Paradiso National Park. Established
in 1922, it originated in the hunting reserves of the Italian Royal Family. The park
defends and preserves the wonderful natural environment as well as the precious flora
and fauna species in it; it is the kingdom of chamois, ibexes and marmots.
There are numerous events and exhibitions; the pillow-lace permanent exhibition is very
interesting and during summer the traditional soirées of "veillà" that evoke old local
customs are very popular.
As far as gastronomy is concerned, do not forget the "Seupetta à la cogneintze" made
with rice and fontina cheese, and the "meculin" a particular type of Italian currant cake.
Courtesy of
Regione Valle d'Aosta
(c) 1997-2008 E. Massetti
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