Castello reale di Sarre

About the museum

The Castello reale di Sarre dominates the Aosta plain from its promontory. The present building dates from the early 18th century, but the square tower preserves the memory of an older 11th–12th-century fortress belonging to the powerful lords of Bard. In the 18th century the lawyer Jean-François Ferrod, who became baron of Sarre, transformed the structure into a grand residence surrounded by a terraced garden.

King Victor Emmanuel II, the first king of Italy, chose the castle as a hunting residence in the Aosta Valley. His successors also used it, in particular Umberto I, who made it the headquarters for ibex hunts in the royal reserves of the Cogne, Rhêmes and Valsavarenche valleys, which since 1922 have been part of the Gran Paradiso National Park.

The royals' passion for hunting left a deep mark: antlers and trophies merge with the decorations of the salon and the gallery. On the piano nobile the room of Queen Margherita can be visited, while in the Sala reale a painting by Antonio Fontanesi is displayed; the castle also preserves an important nucleus of Savoy portraits, gathered especially at the wish of Umberto II. Over time the hunting residence also became a royal holiday place.

Highlights

• Salon and gallery decorated with antlers and hunting trophies
• Room of Queen Margherita
• Painting by Antonio Fontanesi in the Sala reale
• Portraits of the Savoy
• Terraces and garden

Permanent exhibition

• Residenza di caccia dei Savoia – The route visits the salon and the gallery with the hunting trophies, the room of Queen Margherita, the Sala reale with Fontanesi's painting and the collection of Savoy portraits.

Founded

1708

Operated by

Regione autonoma Valle d'Aosta

Visitors per year

approx. 38,108

Admission & discounts

Reduced ticket for young people aged 19 to 25, for paying groups of 25 people, for groups with a licensed tourist guide and for holders of agreements (FAI, Touring Club Italiano, Aosta Valley Card, Forte di Bard ticket, combined ticket “Aosta archeologica”). Free admission up to age 18, for people with certified disabilities and a companion, for school parties, for ICOM members, journalists and holders of the Abbonamento Musei Piemonte/Valle d'Aosta or Lombardia/Valle d'Aosta. Online purchase costs a €1 advance sales fee per ticket; six-month Culture Cards are available.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

For people with physical disabilities there is reserved access: you can drive to the rear entrance of the castle, from which you are accompanied to the main entrance. The visit is accessible by lift.

Kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Stroller-friendly: not available

For families, the treasure hunt “Le avventure di Charlotte” is offered in the Aosta Valley castles (11 April–15 November 2026). Pushchairs cannot be used inside the castle and are left in the custody of the ticket office.

Getting there & parking

From Aosta follow the SS26 towards Courmayeur; after Sarre and the fork for Cogne, just after a wide bend, turn right onto a narrow uphill road that leads to the castle car park. From the A5, exit at Aosta Ovest.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit