It is October, the blooms in the mountains are now a reminder of the past months and the beekeepers have brought back the hives that in summer were filled with nectar and pollen of various species to the valley, almost like a bees désarpa.
If there is a product where human intervention is limited to only a few essential steps, it is the tasty Valle d’Aosta honey, worked in the old fashioned style without any heat treatment that could compromise its organoleptic properties
At the end of October Châtillon becomes the Aosta Valley capital of honey. In the streets of the village you can taste and buy honey directly from the producers, there are also many collateral events: displays of ancient beekeeping tools, tasting of the honeys that won past competitions.
How sweet it is to come to the Aosta Valley….
- Festival dedicated to an absolutely natural product
- Guided tastings
Take advantage of the event and spend a weekend in the Aosta Valley
Program
22nd Edition
Friday, October 24
7:00 PM – École Hôtelière of Châtillon (via della Stazione 39):
“Taste of Honey” Gala Dinner prepared by the fifth-year students of the hotel management school.
Presentation of the city of Poggio Torriana (RN), guest of honour of the 2025 edition.
Cost: €35. Reservations required by October 19 at + 39 333 4029802.
Saturday, October 25
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM: Itinerant theatre performance “Illustrious Unknowns” by Paola Zaramella – a journey through stories and legends of Châtillon’s historic centre. Departure from the parking area on via Martiri della Libertà.
6:00 PM: Family show “100% Circus Junk – Non-Contemporary Circus” by Circo Pacco.
From 7:00 PM: “Small Veillà” and ancient crafts – Street food created by the students of the École Hôtelière, featuring Aosta Valley PDO products and local honeys.
Reservation recommended by October 19 at +39 333 4029802, subject to availability.
Cost: €15. Proceeds will be donated as scholarships to deserving students.
Sunday, October 26
From 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM: Exhibition and sale of honey and honey-based products.
10:00 AM: Parade of beekeepers accompanied by the Corps Philharmonique de Châtillon.
10:30 AM – Don Paolo Chasseur Hall: Award ceremony of the 31st Valle d’Aosta Honey Competition.
From 10:30 AM to 6:00 PM – Ground floor of the Ex Hotel Londres:
Artists Supporting the Bees – An Apiario d’Autore project curated by Mauro Rutto, the “bee engineer.”
11:00 AM – 2:30 PM – 4:30 PM – Vaulted room of the library:
Children’s workshops “Create Your Seed Bomb” – Maximum 15 participants per session.
Registrations at + 39 333 4029802.
From 1:30 PM to 5:00 PM – Ground floor and small square in front of the Ex Hotel Londres:
- Children’s games and treasure hunt “In Search of Nectar” – discovering the honey supply chain.
- Bilingual Italian/French workshop for children aged 8 and over: “Bee Diversity in the Service of Pollination.” Registration required on site.
- 1:30 PM – Pollination: a vital relationship between plants and insects
- 2:30 PM – Pollinating insects: discovering the diversity of wild bees
- 3:30 PM – Building a shelter for wild bees
At 2:30 PM and at 4:30 PM – Don Paolo Chasseur Hall (Ex Hotel Londres):
Guided honey tastings led by sensory analysis experts presenting the characteristics of award-winning honeys.
Each tasting lasts about 45 minutes, up to 30 participants.
Free activity, registration required on site from 2:00 PM to 4:30 PM (dedicated space in Piazza Lexert).
From 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM – via Menabrea 59/A:
Educational Wax Workshop – Informative meeting “Beekeeping Wax: From Natural Comb to Wax Sheet.”
Meeting point: inner courtyard of the Ex Hotel Londres.
Reservation required at 389 8043293. Free session (minimum 8 participants).
Note - this information is not directly connected to the Cammino Balteo path but it is part of the Aosta Valley tourist offer.