Passerin d'Entrèves Castle

Châtillon has two castles. Ussel Castle stands apart, on a spur above the valley. Passerin d’Entrèves Castle, on the other hand, overlooks the town from a hill covered in greenery. It is also known as Châtillon Castle.

From the Challant to the Passerin d’Entrèves

The site has been fortified since the Middle Ages. The first written records of the castle date back to the 13th century, a time when the valley’s great families were vying for power and land. For a long time the castle belonged to the Challant family. It later passed to the Passerin d’Entrèves family, who gave it its present name.

A castle altered many times

Each owner transformed the building to suit their needs. At first, defence was the main concern. Later, the comfort of a residence was sought. This evolution, common to many castles in the Aosta Valley, can be read in its walls.

It retains the features of a fortified building: massive masonry, towers and battlements. These defences protected the inhabitants and their possessions in time of war.

A private home

The castle is privately owned and still lived in. It is not generally open to visitors. You can, however, see it from the town of Châtillon and admire from a distance its position above the valley.