Travelling through the Aosta Valley in winter means stepping into a world of towering mountains, deep-rooted traditions and villages that tell centuries-old stories. If you are travelling by motorhome, campervan or caravan, Aosta is a perfect destination to combine culture, nature and the freedom of slow travel.
The Sant’Orso Fair, in particular, is one of the most fascinating events of the year, transforming the city into a large open-air workshop. It is the ideal time to plan a trip to Aosta, experience the authentic atmosphere of the region and enjoy a peaceful stop surrounded by nature, far from hectic rhythms.
The Sant’Orso Fair
An event that tells the soul of the Aosta Valley
The Sant’Orso Fair takes place every year in Aosta on 30 and 31 January and is one of the oldest fairs in Europe. Walking through the streets of the historic centre, you immerse yourselves in a tradition rooted in the Middle Ages, still involving hundreds of local artisans from the Aosta Valley.
During the fair, the streets fill with wooden sculptures, carved objects, agricultural tools, masks, toys and artworks that tell the story of mountain life. Everything comes from skilled hands and from woods such as walnut, maple or larch, materials deeply connected to the Alpine landscape.
What to do during the fair
Beyond strolling among the stalls, you can watch live woodcarving demonstrations, enjoy spontaneous music performances and discover local traditions such as the grolla dell’amicizia, the traditional wooden bowl used to share warm drinks.
The fair is also the perfect opportunity to taste traditional Aosta Valley dishes, ideal for warming up during cold winter days. These bold mountain flavours tell the history of the region better than any guidebook.
From Sant’Orso to Aosta
When the fair becomes the starting point to explore the city
The Sant’Orso Fair is not just a two-day event, but also the perfect moment to discover Aosta at a slower pace. After wandering through the stalls, watching artisans at work and soaking up the festive atmosphere, it feels natural to stay a few extra days and see the city from a different perspective.
Aosta shows its most authentic side during the fair, yet it only takes a short walk away from the historic centre to realise how much more the city has to offer beyond the event. For those travelling by motorhome, campervan or caravan, this means turning a visit to the fair into a true travel experience, blending culture, nature and relaxing stops.
A Roman city to explore at your own pace
After the energy and buzz of the Sant’Orso Fair, Aosta naturally invites you to slow down. The same streets that are filled with voices, scents and colours during the fair become quieter, allowing you to observe the city more closely. This is when Aosta reveals its most authentic side: a true Roman city set among the mountains.
Walking without haste, you soon notice that many of the main monuments are located close to one another. The Arch of Augustus still marks one of the symbolic entrances to the city, while the Porta Praetoria tells the story of the ancient urban layout of Augusta Praetoria. Just a short distance away, the Roman Theatre dominates the scene with its imposing walls, creating a striking contrast between ancient stone and snow-covered peaks.
Aosta is a city best discovered little by little, perfect for motorhome travellers who enjoy journeys made of short distances and mindful stops. After the fair, it becomes the ideal place to continue travelling at a relaxed pace, turning a simple trip to Aosta into a deeper and more personal experience.
From the city to nature
Trails, views and peaceful stops after the fair
After the intense days of the Sant’Orso Fair, the desire to move away from the city centre and reconnect with silence and open spaces comes naturally. Aosta is the perfect starting point for this transition: within minutes, you leave the historic streets behind and find yourselves surrounded by mountains, forests and wide valleys.
The trails around the city allow you to continue your journey at a slower pace, ideal for those travelling by motorhome or caravan. Paths along the Dora Baltea River offer easy, scenic walks, perfect even after a full day at the fair. Heading higher, the trails towards the Cogne Valley open up wide views of the Gran Paradiso massif, with landscapes that change dramatically with the seasons.
These excursions do not require long drives or rigid planning. You can decide on the spot where to stop, how far to walk and when to return to your vehicle. This is where motorhome travel truly shines: the freedom to adapt each day to your own rhythm, without schedules or constraints.
Flavours and traditions
The taste of the Aosta Valley, from the fair to the table
The aromas you encounter during the Sant’Orso Fair do not end with the event. Aosta Valley cuisine accompanies the entire journey, becoming a common thread between the fair and the discovery of the region. After tasting traditional dishes at the fair, you can continue this culinary journey by exploring local traditions shaped by mountain life.
Zuppa alla valdostana, polenta concia and carbonada tell the same story you see carved into wood by local artisans: a culture built on simplicity, resilience and a deep connection to the land. This too is part of the experience for motorhome travellers who choose slower, more mindful journeys through the Aosta Valley.
Conclusion
Aosta and the Sant’Orso Fair are a perfect combination for those who love travelling by motorhome and are looking for authentic experiences. Between Roman history, craftsmanship, Alpine trails and local flavours, each day offers something new to discover.
Thanks to Agricamper, you can make your journey even richer by choosing nature-based stopovers, always respecting the land and the people who live there.
Download the Agricamper app, explore the map of free stopovers and purchase the membership to access all available locations across Italy. Your next journey starts here!
