Buying real estate in Valle d’Aosta

The chances are that many looking for Italian property won’t even have heard of Valle d’Aosta. But this smallest and least populated region in Italy has a lot going for it. Within its borders lie the Mont Blanc tunnel, making it ideal for housebuyers from northern Europe. It has fantastic Alpine scenery — Valle d’Aosta is home to the Matterhorn and Mont Blanc. And it has superb skiing at resorts such as Courmayeur and Breuil-Cervinia.

It’s often said that Valle d’Aosta is the least ‘Italian’ of the regions, enjoying semi-autonomy from central Government in Rome, being bilingual (road signs and conversation are a mix of Italian and French), and with a cuisine that draws from Germany, Switzerland and France as much as from the Mediterranean. Those searching for real estate in Valle d’Aosta are buying into a region that’s a fascinating mix of European cultures.

Property for sale in Valle d’Aosta — know the history

Much of that is down to history of course. Italy is separated from mainland Europe by the almost impassable barrier of the Alps. Even today access is limited to the few Alpine tunnels such as Mont Blanc and Frejus. Centuries ago, the region was the gateway through the mountains, enjoying enormous strategic and military importance, and earning valuable revenue from the constant traffic of pilgrims and merchants heading to Rome, Florence and Venice.

Today, the pilgrimage is more likely to be to those ski resorts, such as Courmayeur, and anyone into winter sports would be wise to invest in property in Valle d’Aosta. In winter there’s good skiing; in summer superb Alpine scenery. Real estate here is a good bet for holiday lets. And speaking of holidays, should you be planning a break in the mountains, or are planning a visit to inspect property, have a look at ahotelinitaly.com for your online booking of hotels in Courmayeur and the rest of Aosta.

Buy real estate in Valle d’Aosta — mountains, vineyards and orchards

And if you’re going to buy property in Italy, why not buy in one of the most beautiful parts of the country. Although totally mountainous, the lower reaches of the valley have woodlands of sycamore, hazel and birch, as well as vineyards and orchards. Climbing into the Alps, the flora changes to a mix of firs and pines, with shrub of rhodendron and juniper, and sprinklings of edelweiss, buttercups and gentians.

Around 15 per cent of Valle d’Aosta is covered by the Gran Paradiso National Park — a gift from King Victor Emmanuel II who, in 1922, donated his hunting grounds to the nation. Today, golden eagles soar overhead while chamois and ibex run free and protected beneath. And somehow, over the centuries, defenders and invaders have managed to pack 70 castles into the tiny region’s 3263sqkm of precipitous mountain terrain.

Living in Valle d’Aosta — food and drink

Unsurprisingly, Valle d’Aosta’s cuisine has a strong flavour of its northern neighbours. The valdostana is a veal chop covered with breadcrumbs, fried, wrapped in ham and the local fontina cheese, and then baked. Fontina finds its way into fondues and the ubiquitous soups: cabbage, onion and pumpkin are typical soups. Traditional dishes include ratatouille, polenta, salt beef, mint fritters, nettle omelettes. Again, these are very un-Italian but quite delicious. While you’re looking for real estate in Valle d’Aosta you can have a tasty time exploring the local restaurants. The wine is very good too. These are some of the highest vineyards in Europe, and produce beautifully fragrant vintages such as Torrette and Nus Rouge.

Most of the population of Valle d’Aosta lives in the valleys today. A century of depopulation has emptied the hills. Agriculture was always poor at such altitudes and the main employer there now is tourism and skiing. The central Aosta valley follows the River Dora Baltea as far as Mont Blanc on the French border, the waterway fringed with the dozens of castles built by the Challent family during their 700-year rule of the region.

Properties for sale in Valle d’Aosta

You’ll find property prices lower down here than in the mountains close to the ski resorts. Check out the regional capital of Aosta. Recent properties for sale included a three-bedroom modern apartment in Aosta’s Pila area for €130,000. Those looking for a renovation project could find a two-bedroom country house in Ayas, up toward the Matterhorn, for €134,000. A renovated three-bedroom farm, east of Aosta and off the main road to the Mont Blanc tunnel was recently on the market for €275,000.