Easy hikes and walks in Les Arnaud E Punta Quattro Sorelle

The fortification was erected between 1885 and 1894, with the aim of monitoring the outlet of the Frejus railway tunnel in anticipation of a possible French attack. During the First World War, its artillery was requisitioned and moved to the Austro-Hungarian front, while on the eve of the Second World War, it was incorporated into the fortified system of the Alpine Wall. It was then requisitioned by the Germans and completely dismantled after the end of hostilities. It remained abandoned for a long time, until, starting in 1995, a recovery project was initiated, still partly ongoing, equipping the structure with a museum and a guided tour. The road that reaches it from the valley floor is yet another demonstration of the construction skills of military engineering: the dirt road gains altitude with gentle hairpin bends, bordered by dry stone walls that are still perfectly in place. Near Grange Bersac, it passes a charming little church, shortly after the route leaves the woods and ends in wide meadows near another beautiful little church, dedicated to St. Anne. From here, the dirt road splits: straight ahead leads to Pian del Sole and the Bardonecchia MTB circuit, while climbing towards Colomion, turning right, a final short climb reaches the fort. The view of Guglia Rossa and the Re Magi (Three Wise Men) group, which dominate the Bardonecchia basin, is magnificent.

A pleasant area to relax or start your descents on the DH slopes (the blue one is also doable with a normal MTB as long as you have a basic command of the technique and riding skills)

An Art Nouveau building, designed in 1913 and built around the time of World War I, originally intended to host parties and events. It underwent several renovations, and was finally restored in 1996 and converted to host parties and events. So, no change of use has occurred. The building's structure is very linear, almost rationalist, and only the decoration betrays the original Art Nouveau style. In front, a lovely square (unfortunately used as a parking lot) and several tree-lined avenues. A beautiful building in a lovely setting.

The city's parish church, located in the heart of the historic center, sees more pedestrian than motorized traffic. Its plastered façade is neoclassical, but still features Baroque elements. Opposite is a beautiful Alpine-style fountain. A short distance away are other fountains, all with drinkable water.

Good walk of about 1 hour

Its structure resembles, in terms of construction typology and stylistic features, that of San Sisto in Pian del Colle, and is decorated externally with a small bell gable. The façade, divided into three panels, was frescoed in the first thirty years of the sixteenth century, when the chapel was enlarged. The first, on the left, depicts the imposing figure of Saint Christopher, the central panel depicts the scene of the Annunciation to the Virgin, while the last, on the right, features a figure severely damaged by paint loss and abrasions: what remains allows us to glimpse some attributes that suggest it could be the depiction of either Saint Anthony the Abbot or Saint Jerome. The interior, with a single nave, is divided into a larger area, which constitutes the hall, and a slightly smaller one which houses the presbytery. The two parts are divided by a wooden gate, placed at the height of the triumphal arch and which separated the area of the faithful from the liturgical one. Inside, the building has a large fresco decoration, dating back to 1496. The back wall houses the oldest cycle, created by the Master of Coignet, who attempts to ideally continue the work of the first fresco painter, the Master of Ramats, to whom the other frescoes are attributed. On the back wall, in the presbytery area, there is a large central scene depicting the Pietà, flanked, on the left, by the Visitation and, on the right, by Saint Gratus, bishop of Aosta depicted enthroned with the beheaded head of Saint John the Baptist. The scenes depicting the Martyrdom of Saint Agatha and Saint Lucy painted on the left side wall are also attributed to the same artist. A cartouche placed above the Visitation bears the date of the frescoes' creation and their commission by a certain Guy presbytery. The chapel's altar also housed the statue of the Virgin and the doors decorated with the depiction of the Annunciation, Saint John the Evangelist and the Magdalene, now kept at the Museum of Alpine Religious Art in Melezet. The scenes from the Life of the Virgin on the left side and Saint John the Baptist and the Resurrection on the right wall are instead by a pupil of the main master, dating very close to or adjacent to 1496." Full quote from the website Città e Cattedrali Piemonte Valle d'Aosta

"The Way of the Cross leads through the streets of our daily lives. We, Lord, usually walk in the opposite direction to yours. Just like that, it can happen that we see your face, that we meet your gaze. We walk our usual paths, and you come toward us. Your eyes look into our hearts. Then we hesitate to continue on as if nothing had happened. We can turn around, look at you, follow you. We can place ourselves in your shoes and sense that it is better to change direction. (…) The Way of the Cross is the prayer of those on the move. It interrupts our usual paths so that we can pass from weariness to joy. It is true that the way of Jesus costs us something: in this world where everything is calculated, generosity has a high price. But in self-giving, everything blossoms anew: a city divided into factions and torn by conflict moves toward reconciliation; a withered religiosity rediscovers the fruitfulness of the promises." God's; even a heart of stone can be transformed into a heart of flesh. We need only listen to the invitation, "Come and follow me!" (cf. Mark 10:21), and trust in that loving gaze." (Prayer for the Stations of the Cross with the Holy Father, Pope Francis, Good Friday 2024)

The interesting exhibition would be even better if you understood Italian. It is still worth it because you are guided through the entire fortress and can explore it.