Heritage: Saint-Pierre

This fairy-tale castle set on a crag above the village is really unique.

The famous four little lateral towers, which were added in the 19th century, give to Saint-Pierre’s castle, that ranks among the oldest manors in the region, a Disney-like appearance. The original structure might date back to the 12th century, because the brothers de castro Sancti Petri are mentioned as co-owners of a part of the castle in the well-known charter Charte de Franchise of 1191. Among the later owners we should remember Pietro Filiberto Roncas, who enlarged the castle in the 17th century and held there many receptions.

Since then, the castle underwent some refurbishments and had different owners. Now it belongs to Saint-Pierre’s municipality and it has housed the Regional Museum of Natural Sciences from 1985 until its closure, which was necessary to allow restoration works.

Thanks to these restoration works, the architectural structures were made safe, the wooden floors were consolidated and new technological systems and an elevator were installed. The restoration of the external facades and the internal rooms has allowed the reorganization of the museum and its reopening at the end of 2022.

watch the video: Saint Pierre castle

Buy your tickets on-line

Evidence of the existence of the Sarriod noble family, linked politically, but not by blood, to the lords of Bard, goes back to the end of the 12th century. We are still not certain of the origins of the castle located in Saint-Pierre, in a flatland area a short distance from the state road.
The oldest building included the chapel and the central, square tower (donjon) surrounded by the castle walls, typical of Val d’Aosta castles of the 10-12th century.
In 1420, Jean Sarriod built a castle in the location of the tower already known as the “turris Sariodorum” since the 14th century, as a place of reception, by adding a series of wings to the existing donjon. This included the building of the spiral staircase in the tower (viret) and the addition of cross windows in cut stone, which are characteristic of fifteenth century Valdostan architecture. In 1478 Jean’s son, Antoine Sarriod de la Tour, transformed the chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary and Saint John the Evangelist, which is when the external frescoes of the Crucifix and Saint Christopher were painted and the small bell tower was built. On the ground floor of the north wing, there is a large wooden-ceilinged hall. On the first floor you find the so-called “hall of heads” which gets its name from the decorations on the wooden ceiling.
In the late 15th century, the boundary wall was given circular and semi-circular defence towers and the new entrance was opened on the eastern side with pointed arch portal and sculpted arch vault bearing the Sarriod coat of arms.
The change in level from room to room is evidence of a variety of works over the centuries. The west-facing wing was added in the 16th century, while the north tower dates back to the 17th century. A number of wall-painting fragments and a stucco fireplace date back to the 18th century.
The castle remained the property of the Sarriod de la Tour until 1923, then went to the Bensa family of Genoa. It has been property of the autonomous Region Aosta Valley since 1970.

The current church of Saint-Pierre was entirely built in 1871-72 on the ruins of the previous, medieval churches. The church has a rectangular plan and only one nave: during the first half of the twentieth century, brothers Alessandro and Auguste Artari decorated the façade and the vault, representing The Last Supper, the Evangelists and Saints of the Aosta Valley on the white marble main altar. The altar is overlooked by a beautiful canvas by Stornone from 1889 where Our Lord and Saint Peter are distinguished. The large frame is by the sculptor Comoletti.
The church hosts a nineteenth-century, walnut pulpit whose carved panels recall the life of Saint Peter. The belltower dates back to the thirteenth century: the tower is square shaped in plastered stone with loopholes from top to bottom and openings to one, two and even three bell lodgement chambers.

All the way to the refuge Mont Fallère, little wooden creatures such as: owls, hawks, hares, groundhogs, woodpeckers, capercaillies, foxes and eagles are hidden behind branches and stones. But between trees you may also find curious gnomes watching you.

Approaching the refuge, the sculptures become bigger: here is the grandfather indicating the right path to the shelter to his nephews while not too far away there is a couple of chamois and ibex, but also a villager who, caught by a sudden urge, hides behind a stone.

The open-air museum sculptures are made by using a special type of wood that will last long time in the open air.
The only exception is the Madonna that was inserted into a cave to withstand the high mountain weather.

While walking you will feel like being in a treasure hunt among wooden sculptures and the scents of the mountain.

Most of those works of art (about 100/120 sculptures) were carved by Siro Viérin .

The Regional Museum of Natural Sciences Efisio Noussan offers a unique experience in the heart of a historic castle, where history and nature intertwine.
The dual-perspective visit allows you to explore both the castle’s history, discovering preserved features like fireplaces, furnishings, decorations, and coats of arms, and the flora, fauna, and natural environment of the Aosta Valley through interactive and multimedia exhibits.

You can also see the Lyskamm marmot, considered the oldest mummified find in Italy.

The museum visit includes 16 rooms spread across the ground floor and two upper levels.

1 - Hall of Coats of Arms
Discover the castle’s origins and noble coats of arms through virtual reconstructions.

2 - Hall of Differences: from vineyards to the North Pole
The Aosta Valley boasts extraordinary biodiversity. From the vineyards of the lower valley to the glaciers of Mont Blanc, the landscape mirrors a journey from the Mediterranean to the Arctic. The exhibit highlights various altitudinal zones, protected areas, natural parks, and alpine botanical gardens.

3 - Hall of Time: the old Natural Sciences Museum
Learn the history of the museum, from its founding to today, through historical exhibits and original furnishings.

4 - Hall of Rocks: the stories they tell
Explore the Alpine geology of the Aosta Valley. Discover granite from Mont Blanc, gneiss from Gran Paradiso, the sharp lines of the Matterhorn, and the dolomitic forms of Cime Bianche through rock samples and virtual interviews with geologists.

5 - Hall of Mines
Located in the basement, this room delves into the region's mining tradition and its historical significance.

6 - Hall of Slopes: the sunny side and the shady side
The differing exposures to sunlight, known as adret (sunny) and envers (shady), create contrasting microclimates, shaping ecosystems and agricultural practices.

7 - Hall of the “Abbés Savants”
A tribute to the scholar-priests who advanced natural knowledge in the Aosta Valley.

8 - Noussan Hall
Dedicated to the museum’s founder, Efisio Noussan, and his passion for the region's natural heritage.

9 & 10 - Halls of Water: the creative force
Explore the vital role of water, from glaciers to mountain springs, alpine lakes, and waterfalls. Dioramas and an immersive soundscape capture the essence of water's presence.

11 - Hall of the Forest: the secret life
Take a night-time stroll through a recreated mountain forest, surrounded by the sounds and shadows of its hidden inhabitants.

12 - Hall of Vertigo: inhabitants of the void
Discover the flora and fauna that thrive in the vertical world of cliffs and rocky outcrops, alongside human ingenuity seen in roads, terraces, and mountain villages.

13 & 14 - Halls of the Meadow: the four seasons
Experience the changing alpine landscape across the seasons, from vibrant blooms and grazing livestock to the traces of wild animals.

15 - Hall of Ice: living glaciers
Glaciers serve as both tourist attractions and natural laboratories. Learn about their role in climate science, mountaineering history, and environmental change.

16 - Hall of Emotions
Conclude your visit with breathtaking panoramic views of the Aosta Valley, leaving you with a sense of wonder and curiosity.

This museum offers more than a simple exhibition; it’s an interactive journey through history, nature, and exploration, inviting you to discover the Aosta Valley with fresh eyes.