I must have travelled the freeway below this massive fort controlling the narrow passage between the steep and dangerous mountain sides more than a hundred times over the past 30 years without reflecting on what you might find inside. This time I took a day trip from home in Switzerland with the aim to discover this surprisingly interesting place steeped in history lasting over 800 years. It's now owned and administered by the region of Aosta and houses 6 museums, a large museum shop, a cozy 11 room hotel and restaurant as well as a café. If you buy a simple entrance ticket you will access two exhibitions of your choice, if you want to see all six museums, the price is about double the ordinary entrance fee. There is ample parking around the castle, the near-most being paying. Access is either via an ingenious series of funiculars or by foot on a winding road. Avoid visiting on a busy day not to spend your time waiting to access the funicular system. I came on a Friday afternoon mid May 2025 and was surrounded by 15 year olds trying to learn Italian history, not the most serene situation. You do need a full day to fully appreciate the place so I will come back to spend a night here before touring the premises.

So much to see here! There are 5? main buildings, each housing different museums and (temporary, rotating) art exhibits. Costs €12 to visit 2 of any things of your choice or €24 to visit everything. But you can visit all the exterior fort for free! This is definitely worth it if you want a quick look and get a good view from the top of the Fort. If you want to visit the museums, you'll need a few hours to spare! Our 2 choices were both in the Carlo Alberto building (at the top). We did the Museum of the Alps which has SO MUCH to see, and quite the diversity of history and information. This took us 2 hours and we didnt look too closely at half of it. Could definitely take 2-4 hours depending on your interests. Absolutely 1 of the best ways to spend a solid chunk of your day here. 2nd, we did the prisons downstairs in the same building. This was cool but much quicker (like 30 mins). It was a toss up between the prison and the Ferdinando building at the bottom.. unsure what all that offers or the time it takes to visit. In total we spent about 3 hours here, and could have spent much longer if we got the full package. Lots of history here and offers a neat view of the valley. I would recommend it, but again, you'll need time if you want to visit any museums. I personally didnt care to visit any of the art exhibitions. From what I've gathered, they kind of have nothing to do with the Fort itself, so didnt seem worth any of my 2 choices.

Have you even been to Valle d’Aosta if you haven’t visited Forte di Bard? The structure is just impressive in its size and location! Inside is pretty bare, but the museums and exhibits are super interesting.

It's a great historical place, full of places waiting to be discovered. You can decide to buy the tickets to one or more museums, or just enjoy the stay at the main Fort without paying any money

Wonderful place . Breathtaking and perfect for a day with children . Nice museums, nice view and the staff was really nice .

Loved it. Beautifuly renovated fort with abundant museum and theatre spaces.

The fort is beautiful but the visits inside are a bit confusing. There are permanent and temporary exhibitions. Obviously you can choose only one with the standard ticket. I recommend the alpine museum, it is really rich. The photo section is especially amazing. However, I find the village Bard and looking to the fort from the outside a more special experience.

Residence of the Challant family, changed hands over time and became the realization of Vittorio Avondo's dream. The one-hour guided tour is useful for understanding the history of the place and the meaning of its many symbols. We recommend purchasing the ticket on abbonamentomusei.it to visit all the castles and sites of the Aosta Valley. Dogs allowed in a carrier. Free parking nearby.

Extraordinary castle, presently early June of 2025 under renovation. I strongly recommend you prepare your visit by reading about its history. Your are obliged to take a guided tour which will enrich your experience. Our group had a very sympathetic guide who easily explained in French or English if you couldn't follow his jokes in Italian.

The outside may not be the most impressive, but the interiors are magnificent. With beautiful fresco's and medieval graffiti throughout the entire castle. We were the only non-italians in our group, but the lovely guide made a lot of effort to also do some English explanation for us.

From the street it seems anything but a castle and you could have the will to come back because it would seem worth chump change from parking lot. Don't go away! Once entered you can see one of the best preserved castle of Valley. And it's huge with a lot of frescoed rooms. 5€ for a guided visit it's the worth of it (free for children with less than 6 years). Very competent guide in Italian language.

Beautiful castle in a wonderful area with scenic views. We were recommended a stop here by a local guide and we were so glad we didn’t skip it. The tour is in Italian but you are given written information and there is one video that can be viewed in English if you ask the tour guide. The rooms and restorations are marvellous, especially the frescos and the preserved colouration. It was also fun to try and decipher all the middle age graffiti on the walls. Highly recommended.

After visiting most of the castles in Valle d’Aosta, I have to say this is my favourite for the quality of the guided tour, the amount of rooms accessed, and of course the well-preserved frescoes!

From the outside it doesn't look too attractive. Really. But inside... so many interesting and unique exhibits and wall paintings. Go there if you are interested in history.

Lovely walk up the cobblestone path to get to the building, nicer little walk around the yard outside, but once you get inside, it's another story. Every room is dead empty, no furniture, no signs, just polished concrete floors (a very odd choice) and big rooms full of air. It's a real shame as we had just come from Fenis castle which is miles and miles better than this one!

Massive medieval cubic fortification which has been carefully restored without putting any furniture inside which creates beautiful negative space allowing you to admire the brutal beauty of the space. I could easily image dancing waltz on the polished concrete floor in one of the large rooms. The acoustics must be impressive. You are allowed to visit without a guide but I strongly recommend you take a guided tour to enrich your knowledge. On the northern side of the castle there is a small meadow with oak-trees where I only missed being served a glass of Selosse champagne.

Wonderful building! Very carefully restored. I am amazed about the architectural skills of the builders-every fortifying detail is well done and with thought! Unfortunately in every castle in the region there is only tour guides in italian, which is a strange decision..

One of my most beautiful places I have been I wish I could live there 🙏 ✌️👍

We stopped here so the kids could stretch their legs. It was empty inside which was great for them to run around. Very cool inside and out but it’s not the most memorable castle you’ll see.

The medieval architecture of the castle is truly amazing. The only downsize is that you have to walk uphill for 10mins so it is not accessible for all. Otherwise, amazing!

Originally a military outpost then abandouned and restored. Every stone tells a story, traps, walls, loopholes, battlements. Absolutely fascinating. The walk up to the Castle is demanding but it's an important part of the visit. It helps you understand how impregnable the Castle was. Only guided tours.

Good quality and food. A little bit overpriced for the small quantity of food they serve. The service is okay but not overly kind.

Food is really great but portions are very small.

(Translated by Google) Super restaurant!!! Very well-kept and warm location that makes you feel at home; a lot of wood which, in addition to being beautiful, warms the heart. Super friendly and knowledgeable staff, their way of being, friendly and simple, makes you feel right at home. Food, there are no words, everything at km0, all rigorously prepared by them and while eating you can feel all the goodness and authenticity of the products used. If I had to recommend a dish I wouldn't know which one because they are all excellent but I think it is a must to try the starters, both cured meats and cheeses. I would like to compliment the chefs and the ladies because you turned a lunch that was supposed to be a work break into a unique and convivial lunch. We will definitely be back!!!! (Original) Ristorante Super!!! Location molto curata e calda che fa sentire aria di casa; molto legno che oltre ad essere bello, scalda il cuore. Personale super gentile e preparato, il loro modo d'essere, per simpatia e semplicità ti fa sentire proprio come a casa. Cibo, non ci sono parole, tutto a km0, tutto rigorosamente preparato da loro e mangiando si sente tutta la bontà e la genuinità dei prodotti utilizzati. Se dovessi consigliare un piatto non saprei quale perchè sono tutti ottimi ma credo che sia d'obbligo provare gli antipasti sia salumi che formaggi. Vorrei fare i complimenti agli chef ed alle signore perché avete reso un pranzo che doveva essere un intermezzo di lavoro, in un pranzo unico e conviviale. Ci torneremo sicuramente!!!!

(Translated by Google) Typical restaurant offering home-made dishes with local raw materials. The platter of cured meats and cheeses accompanied by excellent selections is excellent, very plentiful and of good quality. Aosta blue tagliatelle that melt in your mouth. Simple but homemade desserts. All excellent, recommended! (Original) Ristorante tipico e che propone piatti casalinghi con materie prime locali. Ottimo il tagliere di salumi e formaggi in accompagnamento con delle saldi e ottime, molto abbondante e di qualità. Tagliatelle al blu di Aosta che si sciolgono in bocca. Dolci semplici ma fatti in casa. Tutto ottimo, consigliato !

(Translated by Google) La Tour Restaurant – Verrès 🍽️ A very pleasant atmosphere, with a shaded and relaxing terrace, just steps from Verrès Castle: the ideal place to savor traditional Aosta Valley cuisine. We chose the Regional Menu (appetizer, first course, and second course) for just €22 and were truly satisfied: • Appetizer with mixed cold cuts and excellent Fontina cheese • Aosta Valley soup, hot, rich, and flavorful • Polenta concia and stew, well-cooked and tasty The portions are just right, designed to allow you to enjoy each dish without feeling weighed down. The quality/price ratio is truly excellent: one of those places where you eat well and spend a fair amount. The lady serving the tables? Honest, friendly, and full of personality! 💪🏻😃 She adds a touch of authenticity that makes the experience even more memorable. 🔁 Highly recommended for those looking for authentic Aosta Valley cuisine, without frills and with a touch of character. (Original) Ristorante La Tour – Verrès 🍽️ Atmosfera molto piacevole, con terrazza ombreggiata e rilassante, a pochi passi dal castello di Verrès: il posto ideale per assaporare la cucina tipica valdostana. Abbiamo scelto il Menù del Territorio (antipasto, primo e secondo) a soli 22 euro e siamo rimasti davvero soddisfatti: • Antipasto con affettati misti e ottima fontina • Zuppa valdostana, calda, ricca e saporita • Polenta concia e spezzatino, ben cucinati e gustosi Porzioni giuste, pensate per apprezzare ogni piatto senza sentirsi appesantiti. Il rapporto qualità/prezzo è davvero eccellente: uno di quei posti in cui si mangia bene e si spende il giusto. La signora che serve ai tavoli? Schietta, simpatica e con personalità! 💪🏻😃 Aggiunge un tocco di autenticità che rende l’esperienza ancora più memorabile. 🔁 Consigliatissimo a chi cerca cucina valdostana vera, senza fronzoli e con un tocco di carattere.

(Translated by Google) A stopover by chance, but we weren't disappointed! The ladies who served us were so kind. The food is really good. The setting is pleasant, right next to the castle. (Original) Un arrêt un peu par hasard et finalement nous n’avons pas été déçus! Les dames qui nous ont servi sont d’une telle gentillesse. La cuisine est vraiment bonne. Le cadre est agréable, tout près du château.

(Translated by Google) Menu with typical dishes, really kind and experienced staff, we had a really good time. (Original) Menu con piatti tipici, personale davvero gentile e con esperienza, ci siamo trovati davvero bene.

Good pizza, friendly service. Reasonable price. The salad was a joke though. Eat there if you are around and want a Pizza, but don't travel there.

Simple place to have a pizza with friends. The restaurant has also other dishes. The environment is OK, the staff not particularly friendly.. The pizza is good, overall I would go back and advice it to someone for an easy dinner.

Good neighbourhood pizzeria cum restaurant. Pages of pizzas in the menu, much less of everything else. What I had was good but not exceptional. Prices normal - that I'd, pizzas at about €8 each.

Busy place. Good and friendly service. Good pizza.

Nice place and pizza

Nice place with nice people

No comment

(Translated by Google) Stunning artefact in an interesting place, the only drawback is that it is difficult to see due to the very narrow streets. Difficult to find it open but the particularities on the outside are sufficient for the visit... Town not well kept but nice. Don't forget a visit to the castle. (Original) Stupendo manufatto in luogo interessante, IUnico neo è che si vede male per le strade molto strette,. Difficile trovarla aperta ma le particolarità all'esterno sono sufficienti per la visita... Paese non tenuto bene ma carino. Non dimenticare una visita al castello.

(Translated by Google) Nice. Clean. Well-maintained. But the stairs are a bit challenging due to the lack of handrails. Not suitable for wheelchair users. It would be much more popular if there were an elevator and a nearby restroom. (Original) Apprezzabile. Pulito. Ben tenuto. Ma leggermente impegnative le scale causa mancanza di corrimano. Improponibile per le persone che si muovono su sedia a rotelle. Sarebbe molto più visitato se ci fosse un ascensore e un bagno vicino.

(Translated by Google) An imposing construction, the complex dedicated to Saint Egidio (prieuré de Saint-Gilles in French) is made up of several bodies, built between the 11th and 18th centuries near the town of Verrès. Like many other buildings in the area, it is linked to the Challant family, to whom a chapel is named; the three-light window is considered one of the most interesting Gothic creations in the Val d'Aosta. The collegiate church (rebuilt between the 17th and 18th centuries) houses the tomb of the venerable Gilles Laurent. Among the buildings, the hospice for pilgrims on the Via Francigena which passes through here. (Original) Imponente costruzione, il complesso dedicato a sant'Egidio (prieuré de Saint-Gilles in francese) è costituito da diversi corpi, costruiti tra XI e XVIII secolo presso l'abitato di Verrès. Come molti altri edifici della zona è legato alla famiglia Challant, a cui è intitolata una cappella; la finestra a trifora è giudicata una delle più interessanti realizzazioni del gotico della Val d'Aosta. La collegiata (ricostruita tra '600 e '700) accoglie la tomba del venerabile Gilles Laurent, Tra gli edifici, l'ospizio per i pellegrini sulla via francigena che di qui passa.

(Translated by Google) Much better outside than inside.... The architectural complex of St. Gilles is a large and valuable example of Aosta Valley Gothic. It's a shame, however, that the most beautiful thing left is only the massive façade with a square bell tower which makes it look a lot like a medieval fortress. Noteworthy are the three-light windows, the portals and the Gothic gargoyles. The interior, however, is much more anonymous, having been rebuilt in baroque style without any flourishes and without valuable works. Around it stands the convent complex, now empty, which hosted Napoleon in 1800 during the siege of Bard. We were able to quickly visit the interior one Sunday morning after mass. (Original) Molto meglio fuori che dentro .... Il complesso architettonico di St. Gilles è un grande e pregevole esempio di gotico valdostano . Peccato però che la cosa più bella rimasta sia solo la massiccia facciata con campanile squadrato che la fa somigliare molto ad una fortezza medievale . Notevoli le trifore , i portali ed i doccioni gotici . L' interno invece è molto più anonimo , essendo stato riedificato in stile barocco senza guizzi e privo di opere di pregio . Attorno sorge il complesso conventuale , ormai vuoto , che nel 1800 ha ospitato Napoleone durante l' assedio di Bard . Siamo riusciti a visitarne rapidamente l' interno una domenica mattina al termine della messa .

(Translated by Google) Sacred monumental complex, accessible via a short walk from the central street of Verrès. The interior is currently undergoing restoration and there is also some scaffolding on the outside. In the church you can admire what remains of an ancient fresco depicting St. George killing the dragon and what was probably the lady who commissioned it with her heir. (Original) Complesso monumentale sacro, accessibile attraverso un breve percorso a piedi dalla via centrale di Verrès. L'interno è oggi in fase di restauro e anche all'esterno sono presenti alcuni ponteggi. Nella chiesa si può ammirare quel che resta di un antico affresco raffigurante S.Giorgio che uccide il drago e quella che doveva essere probabilmente la dama committente con il proprio erede.

(Translated by Google) Beautiful but only seen from the outside because it causes theft, it is now closed and reservations are required (Original) Bellissima ma vista solo da fuori perché causa un furto da ora è chiusa ed occorre prenotare

(Translated by Google) An arboretum that must have been a splendor in its early days. Signs and panels torn down or rotten, trees to be pruned or arranged, in short, maintenance needs to be reviewed. Otherwise the route is very pleasant and there are various benches and benches to admire the view or have a picnic. For those stopping in Verres, a stop not to be missed together with the historic center, the cathedral and the castle. (Original) Un arboreto che agli esordi doveva essere uno splendore. Cartelli e pannelli divelti o marciti, alberi da potare o sistemare, insomma bisogna rivedere la manutenzione. Per il resto il percorso è molto gradevole e sono presenti varie panchine e panche per ammirare il panorama o fare picnic. Per chi fa sosta a Verres, una tappa da non perdere insieme al centro storico, la cattedrale ed il castello.

(Translated by Google) Rather disappointing. Passing by there during the ascent to Mount Conge and the Cross of Saint Gilles, I found the site in a poor state of conservation, perhaps also due to the season (it was the end of March). Battered signs, plants in poor condition, dry canals, overflowing waste bins, etc. . Whoever is in charge of its maintenance should do more. (Original) Piuttosto deludente . Passato di lì durante l' ascesa al Monte Conge e alla Croce di Saint Gilles , ho trovato il sito in uno stato di conservazione carente., forse anche a causa della stagione ( era fine marzo ) . Cartelli malconci , piante in stato scadente , rii secchi , cestini dei rifiuti stracolmi , ecc. . Chi ne ha in carico la manutenzione dovrebbe fare di più .

(Translated by Google) Nothing you expect from the name, something wonderful and instead a small road in the woods close to the road (Original) Nulla di che ti aspetti dal nome qualche cosa di stupendo e invece una stradina nel bosco a ridosso della strada

(Translated by Google) an experience for children (Original) un'esperienza per i bambini

Wonderful restaurante . All the food is homemade and delicious.

Very nice food in a traditional restaurant. Also very good house wine!

Basic trattoria. Pasta good. Limited win

Fabulous italian food with great service

100% Satisfied...good food and a very friendly staff and owner Reinaldo

I had great food wine and craic....loved the local feeling. Lovely people.

Wonderful stop with great service and food!