Facing the River Dora aboard a boat rafting, enjoy the shores, rapids, flora, enjoy a day along the adventure trail in the woods of poplars, pines and chetaigniers; move from one tree has the with other climbers, cross bridges Tibetan, venturing onto the walkways, enjoy freedom, playing pirates on the yacht size that is in the super fun playground for children.
Anything is possible in Villeneuve, a country of average valley to 640 meters above sea level. Coming from Aosta, the Tower of Colin XIII century will welcome you. Walk to the ruins of Chatel-Argent. Visit the chapels and churches, listen to the songs of mountain proposed by the choir, let you warm up the family atmosphere, look on the faces of people in the history of this place: you will see belong here since e always .
River
Rafting in Villeneuve
Villeneuve: like at home
When you arrive at Villeneuve, maybe you have a feeling of deja vu. And you're right because, thanks to its historic and cultural treasures, it was one of the destinations of the Grand Tour. Among famous people who passed through here, it yal'un most important landscape painters of the XIXth century: the English painter Turner.
Ruins and village are represented in one of his paintings! Who knows if he was surprised by the impressive Colin Tour XIIIth century former residence of the noble Gontard, or the seductive Chateau Chatel-Argent Origa the end of the XIth century on a hill probably already fortified in Roman times. In the old building remain today only the round tower crowned with croneaux rectangular and remains of the chapel of Sainte-Colombe.
The religious edifice presents a single rectangular nave with a semicircular apse. Remnants of yellow ocher, green and red e its interior, not visible, suggesting she was totally colored qu'el'origine. At the foot of the castle, there is the old church of St. Mary, one of the most interesting religious monuments of all the Aosta Valley. During the excavation they had found the remains of the Vth century. The crypt of the XIth century is constituted by three small ships, while the Romanesque bell tower square, decorated with a single opening windows e, twinned or lobed.
In the interior of the church contemplate the wonderful cycle of paintings from the XVIth century which decorates Voets. The new church parish of St. Mary, on the contrary, is situated in the center of the country, has four steps from the beautiful sixteenth century house with windows in Gothic style. In any event, Villeneuve is not a place reserved for intellectuals. Try lowering rafting, kayaking or hydro on Dora or spend a day among the fun through the adventure park conou for large and small. Stroll along the way health, from a river park in the town center to the sport and recreation, or the outdoor pool in summer will be your entertainment.
Booking your visit to the hydroelectric facility of Champagne, true and proper industrial monument of the Belle Epoque. Created in 1921, it is one of the most artistic structures: a solid and austere leexterieur, valuable for the decorations and architectural motifs was inside. The craftsmen and local products will satisfy you.
CRAFTS OF VAL D'AOSTA
The sculpture is the most leexpression bred from production artisanal Aosta Valley. Thanks to the wealth of forests, the artisans use wood for the production of tools for work and home, furniture and other objects. In the craft shops and small markets there are also everyday objects, household tools, milking stools, ladders, Reteau and shoes.
Aosta Valley Artisans also specialize in the manufacture of articles of wrought iron, ceramic, leather and soapstone in the production of bobbin lace, fabrics such as hemp cloth and fabric names. The work focuses mainly in winter, will then be presented to the Millennium Fair St. Ours held each year on 30 and 31 January.
Museum and Exhibition
Old parish church
Info:
Parrocchia tel. (+39) 0165 95114 / Sig. Rapelli tel. (+39)
0165 95188 / Sig. Pariset tel. (+39) 0165 903608
Loc.
Capoluogo - The Romanesque church was the parish church seat
until the end of the 18th century. The bell tower is a
typical square tower. Three tombs which may date back to
between the 11th and 12th century were uncovered during
excavations carried out in the building. The impressions of
a wall which held up the baptesmal font, carved out of a
single block of stone, dating back to the 12th-13th century
had been found in the nothern part of the nave. The crypt,
near the choir, is semi-circular and dates back to the 11th
century.
22/06-22/09: H 15.30-18.30 (on Saturdays and on Sundays) -
Openings for schools and groups with reservation.
Monuments
Castle of Chatel-Argent
Loc.
Capoluogo
The town of Villeneuve picked up along the Dora and dominated by a rocky ridge lives for centuries with its castle ruins of Chatel-Argent. Promontory, important for its strategic location, was already inhabited in prehistoric times as well as in Roman times. The castle and 'a vast enclosure with fortifications and a watchtower outside. On the east side is the Chapel which is the most 'ancient complex (XI-XII century). The west side of the fence and 'enclosed by a defensive wall and in which' practiced entry. This second enclosure containing the living accommodation, now destroyed, leaning against the wall, and turned the tank walls are circular. The front door was located several meters high and the only lights are almost invisible slits on the outside. The castle ruins can be visited through a circular route that connects the center of Villeneuve. Its strategic position has ensured that the castle still remain in the hands of the Count of Savoy. The name Castrum argenteum is already 'in 1176 and recent studies have shown that the castle was built in appearance to present the 1275 perhaps by Master James of St. George, architect of Count Peter II, already' active Wales.
House (16th century)
Loc.
Capoluogo
The building is located on the main street. Has the lintel of the entrance with upturned keel pattern dated 1580, topped by the window with the same reason, another Gothic window on the second floor in a beautiful spiral staircase.
House Carmagne (14th-15th century)
Loc.
Champrotard
The House Carmagne located in Loc. Champrotard believed to date back to the fourteenth or fifteenth century. Francois Carmagne, head of the family had come to the Savoy Villeneuve in quality 'of tax commissioner of the district of Chatel-Argent and I had settled after marriage (around 1380). The most 'ancient' square tower crowned by altana that may have been converted from an old battlements. This first nucleus' was wearing a climbing tower that encloses the circular staircase (windows framed in stone, inside with pointed arch). In later years other buildings were leaning against the twin towers. This old house was already 'fallen to farm in the first half' of 700.
Parish church
Loc.
Capoluogo
In 1787, he began 'building the new church in the village of Villeneuve being that the latter too remote and inconvenient access. The old hospital (XIV century) was transformed into the canonical and the new church was consecrated in 1792. The facade 'was painted in 1863. Of particular interest is a relic of the thirteenth century Limoges enamel, a body 1861, a painting of the Holy Rosary in 1517.
Tower Colin
Loc. La Crete
Located next to the freeway Mont Blanc hamlet of La Crete, was the ancient home of the noble Gontard. It 's a massive tower house, still inhabited, was crowned with battlements still visible beneath the roof. The fortress was restored towards the end of last century.
