Il castello sorge su un promontory, in località Lalex, che domina la piana aostana sopra la strada statale per il Monte Bianco, poco oltre il bivio per Cogne.
Built in 1710 by Giovanni Francesco Ferrod from Arvier on the remains of a fortified house from 1242, after various changes of ownership it was purchased in 1869 by the King of Italy Vittorio Emanuele II, who restored it and used it as a residence during his hunting trips in the Aosta Valley.
The royal castle of Sarre, having become part of His Majesty’s private property, then became the headquarters used by the king for his expeditions in the valleys of Cogne, Rhêmes, and Valsavarenche.
To accommodate the first King of Italy, the residence underwent some modifications, including the raising of the tower and the construction of a new stable. Inside, the rooms were completely renovated and modernized. The conservator of the Royal Palace of Milan was specially commissioned for the furnishings, which were provided by transferring furniture from other royal residences.
Even Vittorio Emanuele’s successor, Umberto I (1844-1900), used the mountain castle for purposes related to hunting leisure.
In the last years of his reign, Umberto I paid particular attention to the residence of Sarre, promoting its internal renewal. Among the works carried out on that occasion were important decorative campaigns of the monumental rooms, adorned with trophies of ibex and chamois.
The castle was inhabited for vacation by Queen Maria José even in the years following the monarchy.
In 1989 the Aosta Valley Region purchased the complex to restore it. The castle, which presents itself as a longitudinal body with a square tower placed in the center, can be considered a museum of the Savoy presence in the Aosta Valley.
Information about Royal Castle
Frazione Lalex, 10
11019 Sarre (Aosta Valley/Vallée d’Aoste)
0165257539
l.maschio@regione.vda.it
https://www.regione.vda.it
from Oct. to Mar.: from Tue. to Sun. 10:00–12:30 / 13:00–17:00 from Apr. to Aug.: every day 9:00–19:00 All week every day 10:00–18:00
Source: MIBACT
