Every year artists and artisans from the Aosta Valley exhibit their works along the streets of the centre of Aosta, giving life to the Sant'Orso di Aosta Fair, the most important crafts fair in the Alps.

The Sant'Orso Fair in Aosta, yesterday and today

On 30th and 31st January of each year, artists and artisans from the Aosta Valley proudly display the fruits of their ingenuity and creativity at the Sant'Orso fair, along the streets of the centre of Aosta. In the Middle Ages the fair took place in the "Borgo di Aosta", in the area surrounding the Collegiate Church which bears the name of Sant'Orso. Legendary stories say that it all began right in front of the church where the Saint, who lived before the 9th century, would have used to help the poor by giving out clothes and “sabots”, the typical wooden clogs visitors can still find at the Fair today.

Now the entire city centre is involved in the event, inside and alongside the Roman city walls of the city of Aosta.

The artisanal productions of the Aosta Valley exhibited at the fair

All expressions of traditional craftsmanship  are represented at the Fair: sculpture and inlay on wood, soapstone, wrought iron and leather working, weaving of drap, a traditional woollen fabric on old-style wooden looms, lace, wicker, household objects, wooden ladders, casks, etc…

The Fair of Sant’Orso is not only a celebration of the creativity and industriousness of mountain people, but also a great popular event during which the peculiar characteristics of the identity of Valle d’Aosta’s population are revealed.

Sant'Orso Fair in Aosta, an extraordinary experience

A visit to the Sant'Orso fair is therefore an extraordinary and unforgettable experience, to be experienced with intense emotional participation.

The exhibitors are driven to attend the Fair less for commercial reasons than out of a desire to venture outside their workshops in search of contact with visitors able to appreaciate creativity and quality craftsmanship, deriving from a tradition stretching back centuries. Likewise, visitors come here not just in search of a bargain, or a useful, everyday object or something to adorn their home, but also to revel in the unique atmosphere.

During the fair you can also visit the "Atelier", the exhibition of the artistic works of professional artisans, in the central Chanoux square.

The Sant'Orso fair is also music and folklore, thanks to the entertainment that takes place in the historic centre, and the opportunity to taste wines and typical products of the Aosta Valley at the food and wine pavilion set up in Piazza Plouves.

The popular festival culminates in the "Veillà", the vigil on the night between the two days of the Fair, with the streets all lit up and full of people until dawn.

Free return through the Grand Saint-Bernard Tunnel:
On presentation of a simple journey receipt for the Grand-Saint-Bernard Tunnel and a visitor’s card, the return is free if it takes place within 72 hours of the date of issue of the “simple journey” ticket. race”. Facility applied to cars only.
Ask for your visitor’s card at the Fair’s infopoints: Rue E. Aubert (West entrance to the Fair), Place Chanoux (Trades Workshop), Tourist Office (Portes Pretoriennes), Arc d’Auguste (East entrance), Place Plouves ( Food and wine pavilion).