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Pont-Saint-Martin

Attractions and Places To See around Pont-Saint-Martin - Top 20

Best attractions and places to see around Pont-Saint-Martin include a blend of historical sites, natural beauty, and cultural experiences. Situated at the entrance of the Aosta Valley, the town is characterized by its strategic location along the Lys River and surrounding hills. It serves as a gateway to the Mont Avic Nature Park and offers access to the Lys Valley. The area provides a variety of landmarks and natural features for exploration.

Best attractions and places to see around Pont-Saint-Martin

  • The most popular attractions is Fort Bard, a castle that dominates the valley floor. This historical site includes three permanent museums, such as the Museum of the Alps and the Fortress and Border Museum.
  • Another must-see spot is Lake Vargno, a lake located at the foot of the Mont Mars Nature Reserve. From its banks, visitors can view several peaks, including Punta Leretta and Mont Mars.
  • Visitors also love Graglia Sanctuary, a religious building dedicated to the Madonna of Loreto. This imposing sanctuary, completed in the seventeenth century, is immersed in greenery at 800 meters above sea level.
  • Pont-Saint-Martin is known for its historical sites, natural landscapes, and cultural points of interest. The area offers a variety of attractions to see and explore, from ancient Roman engineering to serene mountain lakes.
  • The attractions around Pont-Saint-Martin are appreciated by the komoot community, with 172 upvotes and 335 photos shared by visitors.

Last updated: May 9, 2026

Fort Bard

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Bard is a pretty medieval village located at the entrance to the Aosta Valley. The Fort dominates the valley floor.

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Graglia Sanctuary

Highlight • Religious Site

This sanctuary is immersed in greenery at 800 meters above sea level and is dedicated to the Madonna of Loreto. Of particular importance is the octagonal dome decorated in 1870 by Fabrizio Galliari. Its guesthouse welcomes hundreds of pilgrims on the Cammino di Oropa every year.

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Roman Arch and Road in Donnas

Highlight • Historical Site

The former Roman road led through the Aosta Valley and past Donnas. This road connected Rome with the Rhône Valley. Remains of this Roman road can still be seen today on the outskirts of Donnas.
Over a length of over 100 m, you can still see the tracks of the carts that have truly carved furrows into the rock.
On the rock wall you can see a column-like shape. These are the remains of a milestone. The carved Roman numerals XXXVI indicate the distance. The distance from Donnas to Aosta was previously given as 36 miles.

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Rifugio della Balma

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This beautiful refuge is set on a promontory and has two homonymous lakes at its foot. It is located at 2,060 meters above sea level and included in the Mont Mars Nature Reserve.

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Lake Vargno

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This beautiful lake is located at the foot of the Mont Mars Nature Reserve. From its banks Punta Leretta, Punta Figlieu, Mount Mars, Mount Rosso, the Lei Long and Gragliasca peaks and Mount Pietra Bianca are visible.

It's a nice place to take a break on your mountain run with a breathtaking view. The paths in this area are mostly free of technical difficulties and easy to follow while running.

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Piemont's Via Francigena

Road cycling in the Aosta Valley – major climbs and alpine routes

Via Francigena in Canavese – complete route and 'for all' section

Paths, castles and views of Italy’s Aosta Valley – Cammino Balteo

Road Cycling Routes around Pont-Saint-Martin

Hiking around Pont-Saint-Martin

Cycling around Pont-Saint-Martin

MTB Trails around Pont-Saint-Martin

Running Trails around Pont-Saint-Martin

Gravel biking around Pont-Saint-Martin

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Piemont's Via Francigena

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Tips from the Community

Alessandro Santa
March 29, 2026, Santuario di Graglia

Language Follow Edit Il Sacro Monte di Graglia is a pre-Alpine locality situated in Graglia, in the province of Biella, in Piedmont, a few kilometers west of the provincial capital. It is located at the foot of the more majestic peak of Mombarone, almost on the border with the Aosta Valley; it mainly hosts the sanctuary of the same name (812 meters above sea level), dedicated to the Black Madonna and linked to the cult of Our Lady of Loreto, in the Marche. It is therefore part of that system of pre-Alpine devotional complexes that characterized a widespread popular Marian and Christian religiosity, which expressed itself between Piedmont and Lombardy starting from around the 16th century, such as, for example, the re-enactment of the Passion of Christ in the nearby town of Sordevolo, or other similar localities such as Sacro Monte di Arona, Sacro Monte di Oropa, Sacro Monte di Varallo, Sacro Monte di Ghiffa.

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Very modern and comfortable refuge. Equipped with 24h electricity, wi-fi, hot water. The refuge is also a stop for the Oropa Valley walk. The Barma refuge is located at an altitude of 2060 meters in the Mont Mars nature reserve, located between the Biella area and the Lys Valley in the Aosta Valley. The stone structure is built around the roche moutonne in the center of an amphitheater overlooking the lakes of the same name at the foot of the Mont Mars massif (2600 m). The refuge is recently built and has a large bar, two dining rooms, eight rooms, five of which seat 8, two seat 4 and a double with bathroom. The services are shared. The structure is equipped with solar panels for the production of electricity, integrated with a co-generator system. The water is collected from the depths of the lake and treated with a water purifier so as to avoid the use of packaging to be disposed of.

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dedicated to the Black Madonna and connected to the cult of Our Lady of Loreto, in the Marche. It is therefore part of that system of pre-Alpine devotional complexes that characterized a widespread popular Marian and Christian religiosity.

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Julio
September 11, 2024, Santuario di Graglia

Beautiful climb, almost all in the woods and never too challenging; the sanctuary is a quiet place from which to enjoy the view of the plain

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The Roman road of the Gauls, built to connect Rome with the Rhone Valley, has in the Donnas section one of its most characteristic and spectacular points, carved out of the living rock over a length of 221 metres. In a place where in ancient times the rocky promontory plunged into the waters of the Dora, the Romans launched a real challenge to nature by carving out a living rock on which they could draw perfectly vertical walls and in whose bosom they cut the roadbed. Exciting and unusual, here the Via delle Gallie gives its best by offering the spectacle of a vaulted passage 4 metres thick, 4 metres high and almost 3 metres wide that eloquently illustrates the amount of rock removed and shows all the refinement of a road engineering never again achieved until viaducts and modern tunnels. In the Middle Ages it served as a gate to the village, which was closed at night; The other defences were of course: on one side the mountain and on the other the river. A fundamental road, much used over the centuries, as evidenced by the deep ruts left by the passage of carts and the wear of the walking surface that has been patched and repaired at various points over time. A little further on, on the right, we recognise the excellent profile of a milestone, also spared in the rocky bank, which informs us of the distance to Augusta Praetoria (the current city of Aosta): XXXVI miles (about 54 km).

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Recently built refuge surrounded by the Barma lakes, open in the summer and reachable with a not too demanding walk from Pillaz (or from Pian Coumarial) a hamlet of Fontainemore, overcoming a long stretch of road up to Lake Vargno

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In addition to many temporary exhibitions, often aimed at promoting and learning about the culture and territory of the Aosta Valley and the Alps, the Forte di Bard includes three permanent museums. 1.) On the top floor is the Museum of the Alps. Here the secrets of the mountain have been presented through a multimedia path and interactive installations. A truly worthwhile and informative museum!!! 2.) A second museum room is dedicated to the prisons of the fort, twenty-four narrow cells (1.3 x 2 meters) distributed in four areas and accessed from a gallery decorated with historical prints and paintings that tell the story of the building. 3.) Finally, the Fortress and Border Museum of the Opera Ferdinando offers a journey through the history of the Bard through a parade of historical and plastic weapons, including scale models of defensive structures and miniature armies. Source: https://www.visititaly.eu/it/luoghi-e-itinerari/cosa-vedere-a-bard-borgo-in-valle-aosta

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Willem VS
March 30, 2024, Forte di Bard

The Fort de Bard, which has remained almost unchanged since its reconstruction, represents one of the best examples of a dam fortress from the beginning of the 19th century. The stronghold has three main buildings, on several levels, between 400 and 467 meters high: from the lowest, the Ouvrage Ferdinand, to the middle one, the Ouvrage Victor and, at the top, the Ouvrage Charles-Albert, a whole of 283 rooms. The Ouvrage Ferdinand is shaped like pincers and has two buildings, the Ouvrage Ferdinand Inférieur and the Ouvrage Ferdinand Supérieur. The Ouvrage Mortai, placed behind the latter and the adjoining Powder Magazine house the rooms intended for the didactic laboratories. About halfway up the rock, stands the Ouvrage Victor where you will find "Les Alpes des Enfants", an interactive trail. At the top, the most imposing of the three structures has an enclosure on which all the buildings rest and which contains the Ouvrage de Gola, its courtyard, which can defend the south side, and the Ouvrage Charles-Albert and its large quadrangular courtyard of the Place d'Armes, surrounded by large arcades. The first floor of the Ouvrage Charles-Albert is dedicated to the "Musée des Alpes". Inside the structure, there is also a tour of the history of the Fort, in the Prison rooms. The Fort is accessible by an external road, on the south side, which leads to the courtyard of the Ouvrage de Gola, and by an internal road which winds in narrow steep bends, protected by large stone walls and which goes up the opposite slope towards the North, thus allowing one to reach the Ouvrage Charles-Albert. These two roads are only accessible on foot. The summit of the rock and the fortress is easily accessible thanks to the panoramic lifts which, from the village of Bard to the foot of the Fort, provide access to the Ouvrage Charles-Albert and therefore to the Museum of the Alps. https://www.viefrancigene.org/fr/resource/poi/forte-di-bard/

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Frequently Asked Questions

What historical sites can I explore in Pont-Saint-Martin?

Pont-Saint-Martin is rich in history. You can visit the iconic Ponte Romano (Roman Bridge), a 1st-century BC marvel spanning the Lys River. Other notable historical sites include the ruins of the 10th-century Old Castle (Castello Vecchio) and the Parish Church of San Lorenzo. For a deeper dive into Roman engineering, the Roman Arch and Road in Donnas offers a spectacular preserved section of the ancient Via delle Gallie.

Are there any natural attractions or parks near Pont-Saint-Martin?

Yes, Pont-Saint-Martin is a gateway to natural beauty. The Lys River flows through the town, offering picturesque scenery. You can also access the Mont Avic Nature Park for hiking and stunning landscapes. Further afield, Lake Vargno, located at the foot of the Mont Mars Nature Reserve, provides breathtaking views of surrounding peaks. The Pond of Holay Nature Reserve in Suzey is another natural point of interest.

What outdoor activities are available around Pont-Saint-Martin?

The region offers diverse outdoor activities. You can enjoy fishing and kayaking on the Lys River. For those who love trails, there are numerous options for running, cycling, and gravel biking. Explore routes like the Valle di Champorcher Cycle Route or the Roman Arch and Road of Donnas loop. Find more details on specific routes in the Running Trails around Pont-Saint-Martin, Cycling around Pont-Saint-Martin, and Gravel biking around Pont-Saint-Martin guides.

Can I find family-friendly attractions in the area?

Absolutely. Many attractions are suitable for families. The Ponte Romano is an impressive sight for all ages. The Public Gardens near the town center offer games for children and sports fields. Additionally, the Graglia Sanctuary is considered family-friendly, and the Lake Vargno area provides easy-to-follow paths for family walks.

What is the best time of year to visit Pont-Saint-Martin attractions?

The best time to visit Pont-Saint-Martin generally depends on your preferred activities. Spring and autumn offer pleasant temperatures for exploring historical sites and hiking. Summer is ideal for enjoying the natural landscapes and outdoor sports, though it can be warmer. Winter provides a different charm, especially for those interested in snow activities in the wider Aosta Valley.

Are there any castles or fortifications to visit near Pont-Saint-Martin?

Yes, the area boasts several impressive fortifications. The Old Castle (Castello Vecchio), though in ruins, offers a glimpse into 10th-century defenses. The Neo-Gothic Baraing Castle, built in 1883, can be admired from its romantic exterior. A must-see is Fort Bard, a dominant castle that houses three permanent museums, including the Museum of the Alps and the Fortress and Border Museum.

What cultural experiences does Pont-Saint-Martin offer?

Pont-Saint-Martin is proud of its local culture. The town's historic center is perfect for a journey through time, and the Roman Bridge Museum provides insights into the bridge's history. The town is also known for its vibrant Carnival celebrations, featuring a historical re-enactment linked to the legend of the Roman Bridge, known as the "Devil's Bridge Festival."

Are there opportunities for hiking or walking near Pont-Saint-Martin?

The surrounding hills and valleys of Pont-Saint-Martin are ideal for walking and hiking. The town serves as an access point to the Lys Valley and the Mont Avic Nature Park, both offering numerous trails. For a unique experience, consider a visit to Rifugio della Balma, a modern refuge nestled between two mountain lakes in the Mont Mars Nature Reserve, accessible via hiking trails.

What do visitors particularly enjoy about the attractions near Pont-Saint-Martin?

Visitors frequently praise the blend of history and nature. The well-preserved Roman engineering of the Ponte Romano and the Roman Arch and Road in Donnas are often highlighted. The stunning views from places like Lake Vargno and the informative, interactive exhibits at the museums within Fort Bard also receive high acclaim.

Are there any religious sites worth visiting in the area?

Beyond the Parish Church of San Lorenzo and the Church of Saint Martin within the town, the region features significant religious buildings. The Graglia Sanctuary, dedicated to the Madonna of Loreto, is an imposing and majestic site immersed in greenery at 800 meters above sea level, welcoming hundreds of pilgrims annually.

Can I find places for cycling or gravel biking around Pont-Saint-Martin?

Yes, the area around Pont-Saint-Martin is well-suited for cycling and gravel biking enthusiasts. You can explore various routes that take you through scenic landscapes and past historical points. Popular options include the Valle di Champorcher Cycle Route and the Fort Bard loop. Detailed routes and guides can be found in the Cycling around Pont-Saint-Martin and Gravel biking around Pont-Saint-Martin guides.

Are there any less crowded or 'hidden gems' to discover?

While the main attractions are popular, exploring the smaller hamlets and less-traveled paths can reveal hidden gems. The Pond of Holay Nature Reserve in Suzey offers a tranquil natural escape. Additionally, venturing into the Lys Valley beyond the immediate town can lead to charming villages and serene spots away from the main tourist routes.

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