Forte di Bard

About the museum

The Forte di Bard stands on a rock that controls the narrow passage between the Dora Baltea and the precipice, the compulsory route into the Aosta Valley; the Roman Via consolare delle Gallie already ran through here. The first mention of a fortified settlement dates from 1034. After the conquest by Amedeo IV of Savoy in 1242 the castle passed to the Savoy, and from 1661 it became the garrison of the ducal forces in the Aosta Valley.

The present fortress was built by the Savoy in the early 19th century and is one of the best examples of a barrier fortress of that period, remaining almost intact. It consists of three buildings at different elevations, between 400 and 467 metres: the Opera Ferdinando, the Opera Vittorio and the Opera Carlo Alberto, for a total of 283 rooms.

Since 2006, after extensive restoration, the Fort has been a cultural and tourist centre, with routes dedicated to the Alpine world and to the history of the fortress: the Museo delle Alpi, the Museo delle Fortificazioni e delle Frontiere, Le Alpi dei Ragazzi, the Prigioni with 24 cells, and an intense programme of exhibitions and events.

Highlights

• Museo delle Alpi in the Opera Carlo Alberto
• Museo delle Fortificazioni e delle Frontiere in the Opera Ferdinando
• Prigioni with 24 cells and multimedia route
• Le Alpi dei Ragazzi, route on climate and glaciers
• Panoramic lifts and views of the valley
• Temporary exhibitions and Piazza d’Armi

Permanent exhibitions

• Museo delle Alpi – Museum on the first floor of the Opera Carlo Alberto, dedicated to the Alpine world; closed for re-display from 13 October to 22 November 2026.
• Museo delle Fortificazioni e delle Frontiere – Museum in the rooms of the Opera Ferdinando on the history of fortifications and Alpine borders.
• Le Prigioni del Forte – Twenty-four cells of about 1.3 × 2 m, with a multimedia route on the history of the fortress.

Founded

2006

Operated by

Associazione Forte di Bard

Visitors per year

approx. 285,462

Admission & discounts

The entry ticket includes up to three exhibition spaces. Entry to the Fort, including the outdoor spaces, is paid, and tickets are bought at the ticket offices at the lift departures or online on MidaTicket. Also free for licensed tourist guides, Membership Card subscribers, holders of the Abbonamento Musei Piemonte Valle d’Aosta and Lombardia Valle d’Aosta, and accredited journalists. Anyone who books a table at the restaurant and does not visit exhibitions or museums enters free.

Accessibility

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

The Fort has no architectural barriers: every level can be reached by lifts or ramped routes, including by wheelchair and pushchair. On request a wheelchair is available for the visit (tel. +39 0125 833818). For blind and visually impaired people there are three totems with Braille descriptions and raised maps on the second floor of the multi-storey car park, as well as models of the Fort. Free parking for people with disabilities holding a permit in the multi-storey car park.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Stroller-friendly
• Baby changing facilities

The Le Alpi dei Ragazzi route is aimed mainly at schools and families and offers educational workshops. The services next to the Caffetteria di Gola and the Cannoniere have a changing table. The Fort is accessible with pushchairs thanks to the lifts and ramps.

Getting there & parking

The Fort is at the entrance to the Aosta Valley, 48 km from Aosta and 78 km from Turin. It is reached by the SS 26 and the A5 motorway, exiting at the Pont-Saint-Martin or Verrès toll stations. Motorhome area Le Raffòr in Hône.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Wi-Fi

Caffetteria di Gola, Ristorante La Polveriera and Hotel Cavour et des Officiers in the Opera Carlo Alberto; bookshop. Free Wi-Fi with registration. On days of high group attendance, the luggage storage may not be guaranteed.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

The Fort offers the possibility of organising events (section “Crea il tuo evento” on the website).

Plan your visit