Holiday apartment in Verrès: castle, hiking trail and Saint-Gilles

Verrès combines castle architecture, ecclesiastical history and direct routes into the landscape. The surrounding area includes Castello di Verrès, Saint-Gilles, the Croce di Saint-Gilles, the Borna di Laou Arboretum, a stage of the Via Francigena and the Historic Carnival.

Castle and churches of Verrès

Castello di Verrès stands on a rocky spur above the Evançon mountain stream and controls the entrance to the Challand-Ayas valley. Iblet de Challant had it built as a pioneering castle in a single structure; an inscription confirms that he began the work in 1390. The combination of its striking rocky location, access to the valley and documented construction history makes the Castello a special focus for culturally minded days out.

Saint-Gilles also offers specific historical points of reference. The present-day Saint-Gilles parish church was built in 1775 on the remains of an earlier Romanesque church. The Saint-Gilles complex also includes a Gothic chapel with a carved trefoil-shaped stone window and a Gothic vault. The parish church therefore stands on older Romanesque remains, while the chapel displays Gothic features through its window shape and vault.

Hiking trail to the Croce di Saint-Gilles

The hiking trail from Verrès to the Croce di Saint-Gilles is classified as difficulty level E – Hiking, is recommended from May to October, has 312 metres of elevation gain and is 1,449 metres long. For planning a day out, the defined season window, the E – Hiking classification and the specific length and elevation figures are the key points.

The hiking trail begins at Piazza René de Challand, passes the collegiate church of Saint-Gilles and continues into the “Borna de Laou” Arboretum. The Borna di Laou Arboretum can be reached on foot from Verrès.

The Croce di Saint-Gilles stands on a very scenic rocky hilltop that is visible from the village of Verrès. In the Borna di Laou Arboretum, information panels identify the vegetation by its botanical names as well as its Italian and French names.

Cycling route, mountains and further castles

If you are travelling by bike, Verrès is a stage of the Via Francigena cycle route along the Dora Baltea. The route along the Dora Baltea gives this section a different geographical setting from the hiking trail that begins at Saint-Gilles.

Castello di Verrès, a castle, is located in the immediate vicinity of Verrès. Castello di Issogne, also a castle, is likewise located in the immediate vicinity of Verrès.

Further landscape features complement the surrounding area: Col di Courtil, Mont Lyan and Tète de Cou are mountains located around Verrès. Monte Obré is a peak there. Castello di Saint-Germain and Castello di Chenal, both castles, are also located in the surrounding area.

Historical tradition

The Historic Carnival of Verrès was founded in 1949 during the carnival season to reenact an event handed down through tradition.

Further places

Further destinations: Arvier, Gressan, Nus, Fontainemore, Pré-Saint-Didier, Introd, Gratillon and Issogne.

For the higher-level travel overview: Aosta Valley.