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Photo: Patafisik, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Historic village
Bard, Aosta Valley
Italian municipality in the Aosta Valley
At a glance
- Type
- Historic village
- Elevation
- 400 m above sea level
- Area
- 3,030,000 m²
- Coordinates
- 45°37′00″ N, 7°45′00″ E
History and description
Bard is a village and comune (municipality) in the Aosta Valley region of northwestern Italy. It is part of the Unité des communes valdôtaines du Mont-Rose and has a population of 99. It is one of I Borghi più belli d'Italia ("The most beautiful villages of Italy").
Fort Bard (Italian: Forte di Bard; French: Fort de Bard) is a fortified complex built in the 19th century by the House of Savoy on a rocky prominence above the town. After many years of neglect, it has been completely restored. In 2006 it reopened to tourists as the home for the Museum of the Alps. The fort also has art exhibitions. In the summer, the main courtyard is used to host musical and theatrical performances.
History
Bard lies at the centre of a deep, narrow gorge at the head of the Aosta Valley. This strategic point has been inhabited since the Neolithic period as archaeologists have found several large engraved stones around the area. It later became a major route between Celtic Gaul and the Roman world of the Italian peninsula.
Today the town has many buildings dating back to the 16th century. These include the Bishop's House and the House of the Sun Dial. The Dora Baltea is also crossed by a medieval stone bridge
Fort Bard, which protects the pass, is built on the site of many earlier fortifications. In May 1800, it halted an entire French army launching a surprise attack on Northern Italy. It eventually fell to the division of French general Joseph Chabran on 1 June 1800.
Text from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0. Full article: «Bard, Aosta Valley».
Photos
Getting there
Hône-BardTrain, nearest
700 m as the crow flies
Bard, Aosta Valley
Aeroporto regionale della Valle d'Aosta / Aéroport régional de la Vallée d'Aoste32.6 km
Distances are as the crow flies, not walking or driving.
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Nearby
See on the mapMore historic villages in Aosta Valley
- Most beautiful villages
Frequently asked questions
Where is Bard, Aosta Valley?
Bard, Aosta Valley is in Bard, Aosta Valley (Aosta Valley), Italy. GPS coordinates: 45.61667, 7.75000.
What else is there to see near Bard, Aosta Valley?
Nearby you’ll find: Fort Bard (1 km away), Museum of the Alps (1 km away), Marelli Palace (1.1 km away).
Sources and licences
Text. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Data. Wikidata (CC0); opening hours and contacts OpenStreetMap (ODbL).
Photos. Wikimedia Commons, author and licence on every image.
Credits for the 9 photos
- Bard 2018 abc14 via Francigena — Patafisik, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Bard 2018 abc1 via Francigena — Patafisik, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Bard 2018 abc12 via Francigena — Patafisik, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Bard 2018 abc13 via Francigena fontana — Patafisik, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Bard AO Tetti Case — Laurom, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Bard AO Vista dal Forte — Laurom, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Bard AO, mura — Al*from*Lig, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Bard da hone ponte — Raffaele Sergi, CC BY 2.0
- Bard paese — BelPatty86, CC BY-SA 4.0
Updated 28 October 2026. All sources and licences