Vivre Châtel-Argent

Vivre Châtel-Argent is the name of the itinerary that turns around an ancient castle, to discover the singularity of the “becca” that dominates the village of Villeneuve.

The entrance to Châtel-Argent fortress is the “rampa”, so called from the Veullatsu (the inhabitants of Villeneuve): it consists of a path made of steps derived from the rock face above Villeneuve.
One of the main stage of the itinerary is the ancient church of Santa Maria, a holy building of huge prestige in Aosta Valley. The most ancient evidence of the existence of this building is reported in a document dated back to the end of the XII century; traces of a masonry dated back to the V century A. D. have recently been found: they were probably part of a Palaeochristian building.
The church has been the seat of the Parish of Villeneuve until the end of the XVIII century.

The castle is at the top of the “becca”, with its tower of 16 m of height and 9 m of diameter; traces of it have been found in documents dated back to 1274 – 1275.
The castle used to consist of three concentric boundary walls, built along the border of the “rocky terrace” that dominates the cemetery. Inside the second boundary wall there is a chapel, dated XI – XII century, dedicated to Santa Colomba, where are still visible traces of a wall painting of the XIII century. Being in a strategic position, at the very entrance of the lateral valleys, the village of Villeneuve has always been an important centre for services (Law Court, hospital for passer-by).

From a high viewpoint of the village, is visible the bell tower of the parish church, consacreded by Monsigneur Solaro in 1972, with the name of “Our Lady of the Assumpion”

The guided tour to Châtel-Argent is included in our “group ticket” that gives access to all the ten sites that Fondation Grand Paradis manages and promotes.