The Aosta Valley is Italy's smallest region, tucked between Mont Blanc, the Matterhorn and Monte Rosa, and it is surprisingly easy to reach from Geneva Airport: Courmayeur, at the Italian end of the Mont Blanc Tunnel, is 107 km or about 1 h 30 by road. Beyond lie Roman ruins, a chain of medieval castles, high-altitude vineyards and a hearty Alpine cuisine, all of which AirportsTransfers.ch can help you explore with a private chauffeur.
- Getting there: through the Mont Blanc or Great St Bernard tunnel, crossing into Italy
- Heritage: Roman Aosta and dozens of medieval castles
- Wines: Petite Arvine, Fumin, Petit Rouge, Blanc de Morgex et de La Salle
- Food: Fontina cheese, Lard d'Arnad, Jambon de Bosses, fondue
- Languages: Italian and French are both official
Easy access through the tunnels
The Aosta Valley is one of the most accessible Italian regions from Geneva. The Mont Blanc Tunnel links Chamonix to Courmayeur in a few minutes underground, and from there a motorway follows the Dora Baltea river down the valley through Aosta to the Piedmont plain. An alternative route goes through Switzerland via Martigny and the Great St Bernard Tunnel, arriving directly at Aosta. Both routes involve a border crossing into Italy and offer spectacular mountain scenery. This proximity makes the valley ideal for a short break, a day trip from Chamonix or a stop on the way to Turin, Milan or the Langhe. The valley is also bilingual, with French and Italian place names reflecting its long history as part of the House of Savoy's lands.
Roman Aosta and the castles
The town of Aosta was founded by the Romans and still has impressive remains: the Arch of Augustus, the Praetorian Gate, the stage wall of the Roman theatre and sections of the city walls. Its medieval cathedral and the collegiate church of Sant'Orso, with its Romanesque cloister, add to the heritage. Along the valley, castles stand on almost every rocky outcrop, built to control the road to the Alpine passes. Fénis Castle, with its towers and battlements, is the best known and has frescoed courtyards. Issogne Castle, more a Renaissance residence, is famous for its pomegranate fountain and frescoes of daily life. Near the entrance to the valley, the Fort of Bard, a massive nineteenth-century fortress, now hosts museums and exhibitions.
Mountain wines
The Aosta Valley makes small quantities of distinctive wines from vineyards that climb the slopes on terraces. At the upper end, near Courmayeur, the vineyards of Morgex and La Salle are among the highest in Europe, producing Blanc de Morgex et de La Salle, a fresh white from the Prié Blanc grape. In the central valley around Aosta, Petite Arvine gives aromatic whites, while Fumin and Petit Rouge are native red grapes, the latter at the heart of the Torrette wines. In the lower valley, near Donnas and Arnad, Nebbiolo grows on steep terraces supported by stone pillars and walls. Many producers and cooperative cellars welcome visitors, offering a rare chance to taste mountain wines at the source.
Alpine food and the seasons
The cuisine of the Aosta Valley is rich and warming. Fontina, a semi-soft cow's milk cheese made in the valley, is the base of the local fondue, fonduta, and appears in many dishes, such as polenta and soups. Lard d'Arnad, cured pork fat seasoned with herbs, and Jambon de Bosses, a mountain ham, are protected specialities, and the region also produces honey, chestnuts and rye bread. In autumn, the valley celebrates its produce with village festivals, and the colours of the larch forests are spectacular. In winter, the ski resorts of Courmayeur, Cervinia, Pila and Monterosa draw skiers, while summer brings hiking in the Gran Paradiso National Park. Each season offers a different reason to visit, and the short distance from Geneva means that even a weekend is enough for a first taste of the valley.
Visiting with AirportsTransfers.ch
AirportsTransfers.ch offers transfers from Geneva Airport to Courmayeur, Aosta or any hotel in the valley, as well as chauffeur services by the hour, from two hours, for castle and cellar tours. Book online, see the fixed price per vehicle and pay by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay. Your driver tracks your flight, meets you with a name sign in arrivals and waits at no extra charge if you are delayed. Choose an E-Class or S-Class for up to three passengers, or a V-Class for families and groups of up to seven, with skis declared at booking and child seats on request. A Sprinter minibus is available for larger groups, and companies receive an invoice. Call or WhatsApp +41 78 346 56 77, 24/7.
