Chamois is a scattered Italian municipality of 111 inhabitants in the Valtournenche, a side valley of the Aosta Valley.
The parish church, in Liussel, is dedicated to San Pantaleone and has
been rebuilt several times: the current one dates back to 1838. The high
altar, coming from the parish of Torgnon, is in carved, painted and
partly gilded wood. It houses a canvas of the Immaculate Conception. The
parish feast is celebrated on the last Sunday of July.
Above the
built-up area of Corgnolaz, at an altitude of 2000 metres, lies Lake
Lod, in the hamlet of the same name, which can also be reached by
chairlift.
The altiport, located in the hamlet of Suisse, built in
1967 is considered the first altiport in Italy and consists of a grassy
runway sloping towards the valley floor, equipped with a windsock and a
small wooden service building. It is open to small propeller planes and
occasionally to emergency services helicopters, in case the sports field
located in the capital is unusable. The airstrip is 360 meters long and
30 meters wide.
The sanctuary of San Domenico Savio, on the Col
Clavalité, at 2535 m a.s.l. near the border with the municipality of
Valtournenche. Every year on the first Sunday of August it is the
destination of a joint pilgrimage of the inhabitants of the two
municipalities.
It is a municipality that cannot be reached by car, but only on foot
(via a mule track, "les Seingles" from Buisson) or by bicycle, along the
farm road from La Magdeleine, the circulation of off-road vehicles is
prohibited in the municipal area, or with small airplanes.
By
cable car
Chamois-Buisson cable car, ☎ +39 0166 550106-+39 0166
47136.
Artisans' atelier in the square, ☎ +39 0166 47134. 9/7 from 9 to 18
Chamois is a small town and comune situated in the Valtournenche
valley within the Aosta Valley (Valle d'Aosta) region of northwestern
Italy. As the highest municipality in the region, the village itself
sits at an elevation of 1,815 meters (5,955 feet) above sea level,
nestled amid the dramatic Alpine landscape near the iconic Matterhorn
(Monte Cervino). The surrounding Aosta Valley is Italy's smallest
region, bordered by France to the west and Switzerland to the north, and
is often called the "Roof of Italy" due to its concentration of Europe's
highest peaks, including Mont Blanc (4,808 m / 15,774 ft), Monte Rosa
(4,634 m / 15,203 ft), and the Matterhorn (4,478 m / 14,692 ft). Chamois
exemplifies the region's alpine character, with its car-free
status—accessible only by cable car from Buisson or on foot—preserving
its pristine environment and traditional rural architecture, such as
wooden rascard structures.
The broader Aosta Valley features a
central valley carved by the Dora Baltea River, which flows eastward
from Mont Blanc's glaciers, flanked by steep side valleys like
Valtournenche. This setup creates a diverse topography transitioning
from cultivated valley floors to high pastures, coniferous forests,
shrublands, peat bogs, alpine lakes, glaciers, and rocky summits.
Chamois lies in this transitional zone, surrounded by vast meadows,
dense woods, and abundant water sources, contributing to its role as a
gateway for outdoor activities like hiking and skiing.
The terrain around Chamois is quintessentially alpine, characterized
by rugged mountains, deep valleys, and varied elevations. The municipal
area has an average elevation of around 2,413 meters (7,917 feet),
reflecting the steep gradients from the village level up to nearby peaks
and plateaus. The Valtournenche valley, where Chamois is located, is a
narrow, glacially sculpted corridor leading toward the Matterhorn, with
sheer cliffs, forested slopes, and open grasslands dominating the
landscape. Nearby features include alpine lakes such as Lake Lod and
Lago di Cignana, which add to the area's hydrological richness, fed by
melting snow and glaciers.
Topographically, the region displays
significant relief, with elevation changes up to 15,282 feet (4,658
meters) within a 50-mile radius, creating microclimates and diverse
ecosystems. Forests of larch and conifers cover lower slopes, giving way
to alpine meadows and rocky outcrops at higher altitudes. The area is
part of a biodiverse zone, supporting wildlife like ibex, chamois (the
animal), marmots, and ermines, particularly near the southern Gran
Paradiso National Park, though Chamois itself is more central in the
valley system. Geological features include glacial moraines, rock
chasms, and historic passes like the Great and Little Saint Bernard,
which have shaped human settlement and trade routes through the Alps.
The terrain supports year-round mountain activities, with winter
snow cover transforming meadows into ski areas and summer revealing
hiking trails amid blooming wildflowers.
Nearby peaks, such as Alpe
Cleva Bella, contribute to the jagged skyline, while the valley's
orientation influences local wind patterns and sunlight exposure.
Overall, Chamois's geography emphasizes isolation and natural beauty,
with minimal human impact due to its vehicle-free policy, fostering a
harmonious blend of cultural heritage and wilderness.
Chamois experiences an alpine climate with cool summers, freezing and
snowy winters, and partly cloudy skies throughout the year. Influenced
by the region's topography, the climate is continental at lower
elevations but shifts to harsher alpine conditions at Chamois's height,
featuring short summers, long cold winters (often below -20°C / -4°F),
and evenly distributed but scarce precipitation, leading to arid valley
pockets. Annual temperatures range from 15°F (-9°C) to 61°F (16°C),
rarely exceeding 68°F (20°C) or dropping below 7°F (-14°C).
The warm
season spans 3.1 months (June to September), with July as the hottest
month (average high 61°F / 16°C, low 45°F / 7°C). The cold season lasts
3.4 months (November to March), with January the coldest (high 27°F /
-3°C, low 15°F / -9°C). The growing season is brief, about 3.3 months
from June to September.
Precipitation varies seasonally, with a
wetter period from April to August (peak in May at 2.8 inches / 71 mm)
and drier months in winter. Snowfall dominates for 8 months (September
to May), averaging up to 14.6 inches (371 mm) in December, while summers
are mostly rain-focused. Humidity remains low year-round (0% muggy
days), and winds are moderate, peaking at 4.8 mph in March from
predominantly western directions.
Cloud cover is higher from
September to June (up to 58% in May), clearing in summer (65% clear in
July). Daylight hours fluctuate from 8.7 in December to 15.7 in June,
with solar energy highest in July (7.1 kWh/m²/day).
The toponym Chamois corresponds to the French word chamois, which
means chamois.
In the Fascist era, the toponym was Italianized in
Camosio, from 1939 to 1946.
Origins and Early Settlement
The history of Chamois begins in the
Low Middle Ages, with no archaeological evidence of pre-Roman or Roman
occupation in the area. Settlement likely started after the year 1000
AD, driven by demographic expansion across Europe that encouraged the
clearing and permanent habitation of previously uninhabited or
seasonally used high-altitude lands in the Alps. These early inhabitants
transformed the valley basin into a viable community, relying on
agriculture, herding, and the natural resources of the surrounding
mountains, meadows, lakes, and water sources. The village's name,
derived from the French word for the Alpine goat-like animal (chamois),
reflects its rugged, wildlife-rich environment.
By the 14th century,
Chamois had become a fiefdom under the lords of Challant-Montjovet,
setting it apart from neighboring areas controlled by the lords of
Challant-Cly. Ecclesiastically, it fell under the jurisdiction of the
nearby municipality of Antey-Saint-André. A significant milestone came
in 1486 when François, the first count of Challant, granted a charter of
franchises to the subjects of the lordship of Châtillon, which
encompassed Chamois and Pontey, providing early forms of local autonomy
and rights.
Medieval to Early Modern Developments
The 17th
century brought both religious and political changes. In 1681, Bishop
Albert-Philibert Bailly of Aosta decreed that Chamois become an
independent parish under the patronage of Saint Pantaleon, separating it
from Antey-Saint-André. This led to the rebuilding and enlargement of
the chapel in the hamlet of Corgnolaz, which subsequently became the new
communal center, replacing the older La Ville (or Grand-Ville). The
church, dedicated to Saint Pantaleon, was later rebuilt and completed in
1838, serving as a focal point for village life.
Politically, Chamois
experienced the turbulence of regional conflicts. In 1691, during the
French invasion of the Aosta Valley under Louis XIV, Vittoria Solaro
della Moretta, wife of François de Challant (baron of Châtillon), sought
refuge in Chamois with her sons. Welcomed by the locals, she was
eventually captured by the Marquis of La Hoguette and held as a noble
hostage in Châtillon, highlighting the village's remote but not entirely
insulated position during wartime.
By 1751, the Marquis Giacomo
Bergera, Baron of Cly, abolished the remaining feudal dues on Chamois,
further enhancing its independence. The 18th century also saw the
beginnings of public education, with schools established in various
hamlets. Notably, a girls' school was founded in La Ville by
Jean-Jacques Perruquet, a parish priest from Valtournenche who served
from 1740 to 1750. By the early 1900s, Chamois boasted four schools,
reflecting a growing emphasis on literacy and community development
despite its isolation.
19th and 20th Century: Isolation and
Modernization
Throughout the 19th century, Chamois remained a modest
alpine settlement, with its population peaking at around 350 residents
but never exceeding that figure. The village preserved its cultural
heritage, including the use of Franco-Provençal patois and traditional
building techniques. During the Fascist era in the early 20th century,
its name was Italianized to "Camosio" as part of broader nationalist
policies, though it reverted post-World War II.
The mid-20th century
marked a pivotal turning point. Prior to the 1950s, Chamois was
reachable only via mule tracks, emphasizing its natural seclusion. Amid
Italy's post-war economic boom and expanding road infrastructure,
residents faced a choice: build a road connecting to the valley floor or
maintain their car-free status. In 1955, a cable car was first linked
from Buisson, but the decisive moment came in 1965 when 95% of villagers
voted against a road proposal, instead advocating for an improved
cableway. This small initial cableway became operational in the late
1960s, offering a swift 700-meter ascent, and was upgraded in 2001 for
better capacity and comfort. This decision, made well before widespread
environmental movements, showcased early foresight in sustainability,
protecting the village from traffic and pollution.
Modern Era:
Sustainability and Tourism
In recent decades, Chamois's population
has declined to its current low levels, a trend common in remote alpine
communities, yet it has embraced eco-tourism. As part of the Alpine
Pearls initiative since the early 2000s, it promotes renewable energy,
soft mobility (like biking and hiking), and seasonal activities such as
summer trekking, winter skiing on 16 kilometers of slopes, and
snowshoeing. Chairlifts connect to areas like Lake Lod, and the village
hosts events celebrating Valdostan cuisine and traditions. Today,
Chamois stands as a symbol of harmonious living with nature, attracting
visitors seeking tranquility amid Europe's highest mountains while
steadfastly upholding its car-free ethos.
Libraries
In the village of Corgnolaz nº 5 there is the municipal
library, which currently has about 3000 volumes in Italian and French.
There are also three workstations with Internet connection.
Documentaries shot in Chamois
2012: La Suisse d'Emilio by Joseph
Péaquin, on the life of Emilio Lettry, the last inhabitant of the Suisse
village.
Tourism
One of the resources that Chamois enjoys is tourism,
especially in winter, which employs about half of the currently resident
population. In fact, there are some ski lifts[18][19] that allow you to
ski in winter on about 14 kilometers of slopes, and in summer to go for
many walks.
Skilifts
At the 2010-2011 season, excluding the
cable car and cable car that reach the town, the lifts are:
2 Carpets
for starters
Two-seater chairlift Corgnolaz-Lago Lod
Two-seater
chairlift Lake Lod-Teppa
Falinère two-seater chairlift
Crafts
Important and typical is the woodworking aimed at making various
objects, such as statuettes, sabots and hazel wood baskets.