The best cycling routes around Emarèse

The climb is at times truly challenging

The Fontana di Napoleone takes its name from a local legend according to which Napoleon Bonaparte and his troops stopped here to quench their thirst during their passage through the Alps. Even today, its name recalls one of the most famous anecdotes linked to the Col de Joux.

Located in the heart of the hamlet of Viering, in the municipality of Champdepraz, this small chapel is an emblematic example of the rural religious architecture of the Aosta Valley. Characterized by a white plastered facade that contrasts with the exposed stone side walls, the building features valuable frescoes above the entrance portal, depicting the titular saints. The most distinctive element is its bell gable, which houses a bell with a unique history: it still bears the marks of bullet holes inflicted by Nazi soldiers during World War II, making the church not only a place of worship but also a silent witness to local resistance.

Perched on a rocky spur at 656 meters above sea level, overlooking the gorge carved by the Dora Baltea River, Saint-Germain Castle is one of the largest and most strategic medieval fortifications in the Aosta Valley. Its main axis is perpendicular to the valley, almost as if to visually emphasize its primary purpose: to block the passage and control the trade routes that ran at its feet. The first construction dates back to the 11th-12th centuries, the work of the De Mongioveto family. The castle then followed the typical feudal trajectory of the Aosta Valley: it passed to the Savoys towards the end of the 13th century, then to the Challants in 1295, and again to the Savoys in 1438, when a military garrison was stationed there that remained active until 1661. In that year, Charles Emmanuel II ordered its dismantling, and the castle began its long decline. Architecturally, the complex displays signs of various eras: the original core is typical of a medieval Aosta Valley castle, with a 19-meter-high central keep surrounded by an imposing wall. This is complemented by Renaissance architecture, visible in the massive bastion spanning the longest side. The walls do not feature arrow slits, but rather actual gunports, a sign of their adaptation to firearms. From the plateau on which the ruins stand, the view of the central valley is extraordinary.

Just beyond the hamlet of Ruelle, along the path that climbs toward Chenal Castle, lies the Pian dou Lai plateau, home to this field dedicated to the practice of tsan, one of the four traditional sports of the Aosta Valley protected by the Fédérachon Esport de Nohtra Téra. The term tsan means "field" in Aosta Valley patois, and that's no coincidence: the origins of this team game, vaguely reminiscent of baseball, are rooted in the region's agro-pastoral culture, when shepherds played it in the meadows and mountain pastures during long breaks from tending their livestock. Even today, it is played in two seasonal championships, one in the spring and one in the fall, with teams of twelve players competing on a trapezoid-shaped field at least 135 meters long. The batter uses a bat to hit a small boxwood ball—the tsan—balanced on a slanted pole; The defending opponents try to intercept it on the fly with wooden boards, called boquets, and when they succeed, the characteristic crisp snap is heard, marking the batter's out. The Pian dou Lai is a perfect location for this ancient sport: an open, sunny plateau nestled in a landscape of vineyards and chestnut groves typical of the Montjovet hillside, with the ruins of Chenal Castle as a backdrop.

The hamlet of Le Bourg can be easily reached by bicycle, passing under the highway overpass. The village is worth a visit for its characteristic keeled-arch windows, frescoes, and ancient signs that tell the story of the town. Also not to be missed is the church of San Rocco, perched on a rocky outcrop and offering a panoramic view of the valley.

The Arlaz Waterfall can be reached either from the Col d'Arlaz or from the Orbeillaz car park, following path number 31 which runs alongside the Rû d’Arlaz, a 14th-century artificial canal that channels the water of the Evançon stream and carries it to the municipalities of Challand, Emarese and Montjovet.

Brusson is a renowned mountain resort, renowned for its tranquil atmosphere and Alpine landscapes. Its heart is the lake, an easily accessible body of water perfect for relaxing walks, picnics, and outdoor activities. In winter, the town becomes a hub for cross-country skiing.