Visit

Two locations, one experience

THE CASTLE EXHIBITION SITE

E. Noussan Regional Natural Science Museum

Saint-Pierre Castle, located on a rocky outcrop, offers one of the most picturesque views of the Aosta Valley. It is portrayed in numerous old prints and in drawings by famous authors such as Turner and John Ruskin. The first official mention of the castle is in the Charte des Franchises, granted to Count Thomas I of Savoy in 1191. During successive centuries it was home to several Aosta Valley noble families, including Sancto Petro, Vuillet and Roncas, with each making changes to the building.

In 1873, Federico Bollati, Superintendent of the Turin State Archives, bought the castle and, upon gaining the title of baron of Saint-Pierre, undertook restoration work directed by the Canavese engineer Camillo Boggio. He transformed the structure into an authentic feudal Middle Ages icon of the Aosta Valley. It is in eclectic neo-Gothic style and, taking inspiration from the castles built on the rocky spurs of the Rhine valley in southern Germany, Boggio built the four turrets at the corners of the central tower. This image is still one of the most evocative sites of the entire fortified panorama in the Aosta Valley.

The castle is now the exhibition site of the Regional Natural Science Museum and offers the visitor a double visit itinerary: the history of the building, with the historical parts still visible, and the Natural Science Museum, a genuine journey through the Aosta Valley ecosystems. The nearby classroom has facilities for laboratories and activities for schools.

Saint-Pierre Castle

Località Tâche 5
11010 Saint-Pierre (AO)

General information:

Opening times:
Winter (1 October – 31 March)
from Tuesday to Sunday
from 10.00 to 18.00
Last admission 17.00

Summer (1 April – 30 September)
from Tuesday to Sunday
from 10.00 to 19.00
Last admission 18.00

Closed
Mondays, except on public holidays

The visit itinerary covers sixteen rooms on the ground, first and second floors of the Castle, with steps and stairways in low and narrow passages. Please be very careful when moving from one room to another.

Visitors with reduced mobility may access rooms 1, 3 and 4 of the itinerary. To be able to see the entire exhibition itinerary, an interactive station is installed in room 3 showing the rooms not currently accessible to visitors with reduced mobility.

The rooms are small, especially those on the ground floor. For optimal visitor flow management, the visit time is limited and access to the first floor is regulated.

A video surveillance system is active
for the safety of visitors, staff
and museum exhibits.

In the rooms, museum staff members
are available for assistance.

Bins for storing backpacks are available in the ticket office

Pets are not allowed in the Museum, and food or drink may not be taken in or consumed.

Visitors are welcome to take still photographs and short videos.

OPERATIONAL SITE

E. Noussan Regional Natural Science Museum

The operational site of the Museum, active since 2016 in the municipality of La Salle, is located near the Marais regional nature reserve and special conservation area in Morgex-La Salle. Most of the museum’s activities take place in the operational site, including the conservation of the mineralogical, botanical, fauna and library collections, scientific research projects, dissemination and educational initiatives and consultation of the scientific library’s book heritage. The building extends over 1,200 m2 and houses offices, two scientific laboratories, two classrooms, a library, a consultation room, archives and collection storage.

The Museum laboratories are a regional technological reference platform for DNA analysis supporting services and partnerships in the naturalistic-environmental, agri-food and conservation of cultural heritage fields. The scientific research activities cover biodiversity and agro-biodiversity protection by monitoring and studying animal and plant species, the genetic background of native lactic cultures and old varieties of fruit and wine, and the fight against phytopathogens.

The Museum manages the regional plant germplasm bank for the ex-situ conservation of seeds of rare and endangered wild plants. The Museum participates in European projects and actively collaborates with local bodies in the biotechnology sector and with national and international bodies for scientific research.

La Salle
Località Chez Borgne 3
11015 La Salle (AO)

This location is not open to the public.
Access is limited to organised events or by reservation if available. Send an email to museoscienze@regione.vda.it

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