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Quart

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Last Visit: 05/03/2025
municipalities
Europe
Italy
Aosta Valley
media Valle d’Aosta

Access

Quart is a municipality located in the Valle d'Aosta region, easily accessible by various modes of transport. For those travelling by car, the A5 motorway is the main access route, with a recommended exit at Aosta Est. From there, the State Road SS26 makes it possible to reach Quart in a short time. For those who prefer the train, the Aosta railway station is the closest. From Aosta, local bus services connect the capital to the town of Quart with lines such as Aosta - Fénis and Aosta - Villefranche, operated by the SAVDA company, as well as the Grand Brissogne - Villair line, operated by SVAP.

The nearest airports to Quart are:

  • Turin Caselle Airport (about 115 km from Aosta), with direct train connections to Turin Porta Susa station, from where trains depart for Aosta.
  • Milan Malpensa Airport (about 180 km from Aosta), connected to Milan Centrale railway station by shuttle bus. From Milano Centrale, trains to Aosta are available with changes in Chivasso and Ivrea.
  • Geneva Airport (about 150 km from Aosta), a useful option for those arriving from abroad.

The provincial road network in Valle d'Aosta is well developed, with state roads connecting the main towns in the region. The State Highway SS26 crosses the central valley, while the State Highway SS27 connects Aosta to the Swiss border via the Colle del Gran San Bernardo. In addition, Valle d'Aosta offers public road transport services, operated by various companies, guaranteeing efficient connections between the various municipalities in the region. For further details and updates on transport, it is advisable to consult the official websites of the local transport companies and airport infrastructures.

Introduction

Quart is a municipality in Valle d'Aosta located in the eastern plain of Aosta. With a surface area of over 60 km², it is one of the largest municipalities in the region and comprises numerous hamlets distributed between the valley floor and the mountain slopes. Villefranche, the main town, is located at an altitude of 536 metres and is the administrative heart of the territory. The place name Quart derives from the Latin quartus, indicating the distance of four Roman miles from ancient Augusta Praetoria, today's Aosta. Thanks to its favourable location, Quart is a place that combines history, traditions and natural beauty, while maintaining a strong link with the past and its rural roots.

Description

The territory of Quart lies on a sunny slope of the central valley, the adret, characterised by a mild climate that favours terraced vineyards, forests and meadows. The hillside is criss-crossed by ancient irrigation canals, the rus, dug over the centuries to channel water to the crops. Among its important natural areas is the Natural Reserve Les Îles, a protected wetland area located along the Dora Baltea river, established in 1995 to protect a precious river ecosystem. The lower part of the municipality, on the other hand, is home to the Amérique region, one of the main commercial and productive areas of the Aosta Valley, a sign of Quart's economic evolution towards a mix of modernity and tradition.
The origins of the municipality date back to prehistoric times: remains of a Neolithic settlement have been found on the Vollein hill, including a necropolis with over sixty tombs dating back to the 3rd millennium BC. In Roman times, Quart was crossed by the Via delle Gallie, a consular road commissioned by Augustus to connect the Po Valley to Gaul. In the Middle Ages, the territory became a fief of the de La Porte de Saint-Ours family, whose progenitor Jacques, in 1185, had the Castle of Quart built, still today one of the symbols of the municipality. This manor, perched on a rocky promontory, was the residence of the local lords for centuries before passing to the Savoys in the 16th century. After a long period of decay, the castle has recently been restored and reopened to the public, offering visitors a glimpse into the medieval history of the Aosta Valley.
The economy of Quart has traditionally been linked to agriculture and pastoralism, thanks in part to the presence of the rus that allow crops to be irrigated on steep terrain. Viticulture plays an important role and benefits from the favourable climate, resulting in quality wines. The commune is also known for the production of Fontina, the famous Valle d'Aosta PDO cheese, the name of which may derive from the Fontin pastureland of Quart. Today, urbanisation and proximity to Aosta have transformed some hamlets into sought-after residential centres, while the lower part of the territory hosts commercial and industrial activities that contribute to economic growth.
The cultural traditions of Quart are deeply linked to Valle d'Aosta and Franco-Provençal culture. One of the most heartfelt events is the Quart-Naval, the carnival in the hamlet of Villair, characterised by a costume parade and the distribution of a traditional soup. The municipality is also linked to the region's ancient sports: palet, a game similar to bowls, and tsan, a team sport using a stick and ball, are practised here. Quart is also home to the Carmelite monastery "Mater Misericordiæ" and the Beatus Emericus oratory, a place of worship dedicated to the 14th-century bishop venerated in the area.
In terms of tourism and hiking, Quart offers numerous opportunities. Trails along the rus allow for relaxing walks among vineyards and forests, while more challenging itineraries lead to panoramic viewpoints such as the Croce di Fana and the hermitage of Beato Emerico, from which there is a spectacular view of the valley. In winter, the trails lend themselves to snowshoeing and ski touring. The prehistoric necropolis of Vollein and the medieval castle are two unmissable stops for those wishing to discover the history of the municipality. Finally, a fascinating curiosity: according to a local legend, the castle of Quart is haunted by the ghost of a 16th-century lady, who would wander near the courtyard fountain on summer nights.
Quart is a place where history, nature and culture intertwine harmoniously, offering visitors a wide range of experiences between past and present, in a landscape of rare beauty.

Information

Area: 62.05  km²
Altitude: 535m
Maximum elevation: 3,205m - Mont Pisonnet
Number of inhabitants: 4.127 as of 01/01/2024
Name in dialect: Car
Inhabitants name: quarteins
Patron Saint: Saint Eusebius, celebrated on August 2
Internet site: comune.quart.ao.it
Border municipalities: Brissogne, Nus, Oyace, Pollein, Saint-Christophe, Saint-Marcel, Valpelline

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