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Saint-Germain Castle (or Montjovet Castle), of uncertain origins, marked the history of the Aosta Valley, passing from the Savoy to the Challant family, before finally returning to the Savoy in 1438. Used as a military garrison by Amadeus VIII, it was abandoned in 1661 when the garrison was transferred to the Bard Fort. Completing the site is the Church of Saint-Germain: a small Romanesque building that, through frescoes and architectural details, preserves the spiritual memory of the local community.

a little shade under the greenery, always welcome

Hill with gentle slopes and a short climb

Grun is a small mountain hamlet in the municipality of Saint-Vincent, located at about 974 meters above sea level. This tiny village is located in a panoramic position, nestled on a sunny slope that dominates the valley floor and offers an enchanting view of the valley below and the surrounding mountains. Arriving in Grun means immersing yourself in an atmosphere of quiet and authenticity. Its stone and wood houses tell the story of a place that has managed to maintain its mountain character intact. A relaxing silence reigns here, broken only by the singing of birds and the rustling of the wind in the woods that surround the hamlet. Walking through the streets of Grun means discovering picturesque corners, flower-filled balconies and views that seem to have come out of a postcard. In summer, the surrounding meadows are colored with a thousand shades of green, while in winter the snow gives the landscape a very special charm. At the end of the village, there is the Sanctuary of Grun, dedicated to the Immaculate Conception of Mary, San Lorenzo and San Pietro in Vincoli. It was founded in 1727 by the Reverend Bréan. On the façade there is a large arch with a Madonna frescoed by the Aosta Valley painter Italo Mus (1892-1967). Inside there is a white marble altar. You can see a small choir located above the entrance.

Beautiful bridge connecting Hone to Bard. Magnificent view of the fort.

Always interesting glimpses😜

Going up from Saint Vincent, a pleasant climb with glimpses of the valley below, stock up on water at the start of the climb 💪

The castle of Saint-Germain was built between the 11th and 12th centuries by the De Mongioveto family, probably to control the road below and to convince travellers to pay them a toll. The central keep and a first circle of walls date back to this period, perhaps on a pre-existing structure. In particular, Feidino De Mongioveto seems to have been particularly tenacious and oppressive in demanding the toll, to the point that the Duke of Savoy had the pretext to take over the fortress. The castle did not remain in the Savoy family for long. The fief of Montjovet, and therefore the castle, witnessed the rise of the Challants when in 1295 it became the property of the family. Francesco di Challant, advisor to Duke Amedeo VIII of Savoy, brought the castle back into Savoyard hands in 1438, ceding the castellany of Montjovet with the castle, the lands and the village. Amadeus VIII and his successors contributed to making the castle increasingly efficient by updating it to new military techniques. The new city walls, battery positions, turrets and cannon positions date back to this period. In 1661 the castle was abandoned and artfully demolished to prevent foreign troops from stationing there, at the behest of Charles Emmanuel II of Savoy, while the garrison was transferred to the fort of Bard. At the beginning of the 18th century it finally fell into ruin. Today the castle of Saint-Germain is owned by the Aosta Valley Region.