The regional natural science museum
Wildlife, rocks and glaciers of the valley, on display in the castle of Saint-Pierre
The castle of Saint-Pierre, on its rock above the road from Aosta to Courmayeur, houses the regional natural science museum of the Aosta Valley. The museum is named after Efisio Noussan. It covers both the history of the castle and the nature of the Alps.
The castle itself
Part of the tour is devoted to the building. Reconstructions and digital tools trace the main stages of its history. They show the daily life of those who lived there and the events that marked the castle over the centuries.
The animals and plants of the valley
The Aosta Valley is home to a wide variety of animals and plants, from the valley floors to the summits. The museum presents them habitat by habitat. Among them are the chamois, the marmot and many alpine flowers.
The tour also follows the rhythm of the seasons. It shows how nature changes over the year, from the flowering meadows of summer to the snowy landscapes of winter.
Rocks, minerals and fossils
Another section deals with geology. The rocks, minerals and fossils of the Alps tell a story spanning several million years. Visitors learn how layers of sediment form and which forces raised and shaped the mountains.
Glaciers and climate
The museum also devotes a section to climate change. It shows its effects in the mountains: retreating glaciers, melting snow, changing forests and natural habitats that are becoming more fragile.
The Lyskamm marmot
Among the most curious exhibits is the Lyskamm marmot. This mummified animal was found high in the mountains. It is one of the few animal mummies discovered in Italy.
Touchscreens and dioramas
The museum uses several tools to bring the visit to life:
- interactive stations, with touchscreens and simulations, for exploring the valley’s different habitats;
- augmented and virtual reality, to put you in the middle of a forest or on a glacier;
- dioramas, in which the animals and plants of the region are shown in reconstructed settings.
The visit suits families as well as visitors interested in geology, climate or the history of the castle.
Address
Efisio Noussan regional natural science museum
Castle of Saint-Pierre
Località Tache, 5
11010 Saint-Pierre (AO)
