Fort of Bard – historic fortress of the Aosta Valley

Imposing and scenic, the Fort of Bard represents one of the finest examples of an early 19th-century barrier fortress and is part of the network of castles in the Aosta Valley.

The Fort is spread over three levels connected by panoramic glass elevators and overlooks the medieval village of Bard, a small jewel of the valley with stone houses and flowered balconies.

Today, the complex is considered a true citadel of culture, hosting events, immersive installations, concerts, historical reenactments, and rotating temporary exhibitions.

Even without entering the museums—such as the Museum of the Alps—the external experience is already an attraction in itself: from the centuries-old stairways and bastions illuminated at night, to the inclined elevators carved into the rock and the panoramic terrace.

The Fort of Bard has also been a film location: in 2015 it hosted several scenes of Avengers: Age of Ultron, where it was transformed into HYDRA’s fictional base.

Opening hours and useful info

• Tuesday to Friday: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
• Saturday, Sunday, and holidays: 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
• Ticket office closes one hour before the Fort.
• From July 28 to September 7, 2025: open daily (including Mondays) 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Special openings

• Saturday, November 1 (All Saints’ Day): 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
• Monday, December 8 (Immaculate Conception): 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
• December 26 – January 6: open daily

Tickets

• Full: €12
• Reduced (over 65): €10
• Students (19–25 years): €6
• All Fort (includes all museums and exhibitions): €24

How to get there

By car 
The Fort of Bard can be reached via the SS 26 of the Aosta Valley or the A5 motorway, exiting at Pont-Saint-Martin (south) or Verrès (north). Parking is available at the foot of the Fort (paid, except for disabled visitors with permit) or free parking about 300 m away.

By train 
About 600 m from the Fort is the Hône-Bard station, currently served by replacement buses due to electrification works on the Ivrea–Aosta line (until December 31, 2026). Alternatively, it can be reached on foot in about 15 minutes.