Châtillon

Châtillon, located at an altitude of 549 metres, has a vast territory in the shape of a butterfly, with unequal wings extending on both sides of the central valley and the body consisting of a stretch of the Dora Baltea river.
The main village has developed along the central road axis, divided into two cores: the actual village and the Chameran village, separated by the Marmore stream and connected by various bridges, among which the oldest is from the Roman era. The site is located at the entrance to the Valtournenche, which climbs up to the slopes of the Matterhorn.
In ancient times Châtillon was one of the most important villages in the region and this is testified by the presence of several castles and towers.

WHAT TO SEE
● Gamba Castle: dating back to the early 1900s, after a long restoration it now houses the museum of modern and contemporary art with the artistic production of the twentieth century and particular reference to the Aosta Valley area. Inside the castle cultural activities and workshops for children and adults are also organized.
● Ussel Castle: the fourteenth-century castle built by Ebalo di Challant overlooks the town. It is possible to visit it only when exhibitions are set up inside.
● Honey Museum: it is located in the former hotel Londres, near the town hall, and tells the history of Aosta Valley beekeeping through the equipment used in different times.

NATURE AND SPORT
Both the Passérin d’Entrèves castle and the Gamba castle are surrounded by fantastic parks open to the public, rich in rare species and numerous monumental trees.
Near the railway station there is a nice picnic area.
Many fans of road cycling try their hand at the climb from Châtillon up to the 2000 metres of Breuil-Cervinia, often stage of the Giro d’Italia.

EVENTS AND TRADITIONS
● Honey and its by-products Festival: in the last weekend of October Châtillon celebrates this natural product and all its derivatives and rewards the beekeepers who, during the year, have obtained the best Aosta Valley honeys from their bees.

FOR THE LITTLE ONES
At the Gamba Castle during the summer are organized workshops for children.

IDENTIKIT
● Altitude: 549 m
● Inhabitants: 4600
● How to get there by public transport: you can reach Châtillon by bus, with the line “Pont-Saint-Martin – Aosta” (see timetable on the Vita Group site) or by train, at the railway station of Châtillon/Saint-Vincent - the railway is temporarily closed (the timetables of the buses which replace the trains are available on the Trenitalia website).
Direct buses from Milan are also available upon reservation, organised by the Arriva company.

USEFUL INFORMATION
● Download the map of the village