Saint-Nicolas

Introduction

A mid-mountain commune, located on a natural terrace to the west of Aosta. Its place name seems to be due to Saint Bernard, archdeacon of Aosta, who is said to have founded a church here in 1050, which would correspond to the crypt of the present parish church. Indirect evidence of this is the fact that St Bernard had a particular veneration for St Nicholas, so much so that he even named the hospice after him, which would later go down in history with the name of its founder.

Description

The village is particularly scenic, sunny and has a healthy climate suited to agro-pastoral activities, all qualities that have made it a favourite since Neolithic times. Upstream from the chief town is the village of Vens, which in past centuries would have been an important crossroads between the roads leading into Valdigne (towards Morgex and Courmayeur) and the Great St. Bernard Valley. In addition to prehistoric men, the Salassi tribes and the Romans, Saint-Nicolas also saw the passage of Burgundians, Franks and Saracens.
 One of the first village schools was created here by Archdeacon René Ribitel, it was 1710 and the foundations were laid for the tradition that has made the village a cultural centre. Indeed, the Abbé Cerlogne, the father of Valdostan dialect poetry and a decisive figure in transforming the spoken language into a written one, is a native of Saint-Nicolas. Today, the 'Centre d'Études Francoprovençales', located just a few metres from the parish, and the 'Concours Cerlogne', which every year involves hundreds of primary and nursery school students, are dedicated to this priest.
 Saint-Nicolas is also a popular tourist resort, ideal for quiet holidays, but also as a strategically central location for those wishing to visit the entire Aosta Valley. Curiosities include the 'Bois de La Tour': a nature trail equipped for the visually impaired; and the illuminated cross-country skiing ring (3 km) for night skiing.A mid-mountain municipality, located on a natural terrace to the west of Aosta. Its toponym seems to be due to Saint Bernard, archdeacon of Aosta, who is said to have founded a church here in 1050, which would correspond to the crypt of the current parish church. Indirect evidence of this is the fact that St Bernard had a particular veneration for St Nicholas, so much so that he even named the hospice after him, which would later go down in history with the name of its founder. The town is particularly scenic, sunny and has a healthy climate suitable for agro-pastoral activities, all qualities that have made it popular since Neolithic times. Upstream from the chief town is the village of Vens, which in past centuries would have represented an important crossroads between the roads leading into Valdigne (towards Morgex and Courmayeur) and into the Great St Bernard Valley. Besides prehistoric men, the Salassi tribes and the Romans, Saint-Nicolas also saw the passage of Burgundians, Franks and Saracens. One of the first village schools was created here by Archdeacon René Ribitel, it was 1710 and the foundations were laid for the tradition that has made the village a cultural centre. Indeed, the Abbé Cerlogne, the father of Valdostan dialect poetry and a decisive figure in transforming the spoken language into a written one, is a native of Saint-Nicolas. Today, the 'Centre d'Études Francoprovençales', which is located a few metres from the parish, and the 'Concours Cerlogne', which involves hundreds of primary and nursery school students every year, are dedicated to this priest. Saint-Nicolas is also a popular tourist resort, ideal for quiet holidays, but also a strategically central location for those wishing to visit the entire Aosta Valley. Curiosities include the 'Bois de La Tour': a nature trail equipped for the blind; and the cross-country skiing ring (3 km) lit for night skiing. 

Information

Area: 15.48 sq km
Altitude: 800m
Maximum elevation: Punta Aouillette (2616m)
Number of inhabitants: 325
Name in dialect: Sen Nicolà (patois)
Inhabitants name: Saint-Nicolaïtes - Sen Nicolanen, Sen Nicolan-entse
Patron Saint: Saint-Nicolas (9 May)
 Internet site: www.comune.saint-nicolas.ao.en
Webcam: www.lovevda.it/gestione/webcamgallery/showimage.aspx?nomefile=nico.jpg
Neighbouring municipalities: Arvier, Avise, Saint-Pierre, Villeneuve
 Villages and hamlets: Vens, Cerlogne, Chez Louitoz, Clavel, Fossaz Dessous, Fossaz Dessus, La Cure, Chaillod, Ravoise, Persod, Petit Sarriod, Grand Sarriod, Gerbore, Ferrère, Gratillon, Lyveroulaz, Évian

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