Fontainemore: A Mountain Village in the Lys Valley

Fontainemore is a small mountain municipality in Italy’s Aosta Valley, set along the Lys River on the road toward Gressoney. Its center is modest, with a stone bridge and parish church, while scattered hamlets extend up the surrounding slopes. The village is a useful starting point for walks into the Mont Mars Nature Reserve and for seeing a quieter part of the valley. Come for the mountain setting and trails rather than a long list of town attractions.

The Lys River and the slopes above it

The Lys shapes the village. It runs through the narrow valley below steep, wooded slopes, and the old bridge makes the river part of Fontainemore’s everyday streetscape. Beyond the center, houses and small settlements are spread across the mountainside rather than gathered into one large town. The landscape changes quickly as you climb. Lower paths pass through woods and inhabited hamlets; higher routes lead toward open alpine ground, lakes and the Mont Mars Nature Reserve. That range is a large part of the appeal, but it also matters when planning a walk: a place that looks close on a map may involve a substantial climb.

A village built for valley life

Fontainemore has a compact center around its bridge and the Church of Sant’Antonio Abate. Stone buildings and narrow lanes give it a distinct local character, though this is a working village, not a preserved historic quarter designed for sightseeing. A short walk through the center is enough to get your bearings before heading farther up the valley or into the hills. Its position also makes it different from the larger resort communities higher in the Lys Valley. There is less bustle and a smaller choice of places to eat or stay. In return, the village feels closely tied to the surrounding settlements and terrain; the mountain paths begin nearby rather than beyond a busy resort center.

Walking from Coumarial into Mont Mars

Coumarial, above the main village, is an important access point for outdoor trips. From this area, trails lead toward the Mont Mars Nature Reserve, including routes in the direction of Lago Vargno. The reserve’s woods, streams and higher mountain scenery give walkers a reason to spend more than a quick stop in Fontainemore. The seasons change what is practical. Summer and early fall are better suited to higher hikes, while snow can make winter outings a different undertaking. Fontainemore works best for people comfortable with a small mountain base and a flexible itinerary. If you want frequent public transport, extensive dining options or attractions you can reach without climbing or driving, it may feel limited.

What is there in Fontainemore?

A quick overview of the most notable things you can find in Fontainemore.

Lys River

The river runs through the village and gives its center a dramatic mountain-valley setting.

Stone bridge and village center

An old bridge links the two sides of the compact settlement around the Lys.

Mont Mars Nature Reserve

Protected mountain terrain above Fontainemore contains woodland, alpine trails and lakes.

Coumarial trail area

This upland area serves as a starting point for walks into the mountains above the village.

Hillside hamlets

Small settlements scattered above the river show how habitation extends across the valley slopes.

What to see in Fontainemore?

Notable places and attractions connected to Fontainemore.

Ponte di Fontainemore

The village’s stone bridge crosses the Lys and is its most recognizable built landmark.

Church of Sant’Antonio Abate

Fontainemore’s parish church stands close to the bridge and anchors the historic center.

Mont Mars Nature Reserve

The protected area above the village is the main destination for longer hikes and alpine scenery.

Lago Vargno

This mountain lake is a hiking destination on routes into the Mont Mars area.

Gouffre de Guillemore

Near Fontainemore, the Lys passes through a narrow rocky gorge that provides a striking view of the river.

Pros & Cons

Pros

✓Direct access to walks in the Mont Mars area.
✓A compact village center with a distinctive bridge and river setting.
✓Quieter than the larger resort communities farther up the Lys Valley.
✓Varied scenery, from wooded slopes to higher alpine ground.
✓A useful stop while exploring the wider Gressoney valley.

Cons

−Few attractions or activities for a long town-only visit.
−Limited dining and lodging choices compared with larger valley destinations.
−A car makes reaching scattered hamlets and trailheads easier.
−Higher trails may be inaccessible or require winter equipment when snow is present.
−Mountain routes can involve significant climbs despite short map distances.

Location

Fontainemore is located in Aosta Valley.

Fontainemore, Aosta Valley, Italy

45.64826, 7.860256

Open in Google Maps

Explore more places in Italy

Discover more cities, towns and destinations across Italy.

Aosta Valley

Allein

Allein is a small mountain commune in Italy’s Aosta Valley, north of Aosta and above the Grand-Saint-Bernard Valley. Rather than a single compact village, it consists of hamlets set among meadows, woodland and sloping roads. Its best-known cultural link is the Coumba Frèida carnival, whose elaborate costumes are documented in a local museum. Allein is worth understanding as a lived-in alpine community, not a resort: its appeal lies in the landscape, older village buildings and the chance to see a quieter side of the valley.

→

Apulia

Alberona

Alberona is a small hill village in the Monti Dauni, the upland part of northern Apulia near the border with Molise. It feels quite different from the beach towns and larger cities often associated with Puglia: stone lanes climb through a compact old center, and the surrounding countryside shapes daily life. People come for the village itself, its historic tower and fountains, and the views from its hillside setting. Alberona is best understood as a quiet inhabited place rather than a resort, with a slower pace and fewer visitor services.

→

Calabria

Acquaformosa

Acquaformosa is a small inland village in northern Calabria, in the province of Cosenza. Its defining feature is its Arbëreshë heritage: a language and set of customs rooted in the Albanian communities that settled in southern Italy centuries ago. Local religious life follows the Byzantine rite within the Catholic Church. Set among hills near Pollino National Park, it is a place to explore slowly rather than a town with a long list of sights. Its interest lies in the village itself, its living traditions and its mountain setting.

→

Apulia

Anzano di Puglia

Anzano di Puglia is a small village in the western part of Italy’s Apulia region, close to the border with Campania. It sits among the hills of the Monti Dauni, far from the beaches and large cities many travelers associate with Puglia. The appeal here is modest and local: village streets, surrounding farmland, and a slower pace of life. Anzano is worth understanding as a place to experience this quieter, inland side of the region, rather than as a town built around major sights.

→

Calabria

Acquappesa

Acquappesa is a small town in Calabria’s province of Cosenza, where a hillside settlement looks toward the Tyrrhenian Sea. Its coastal area has beaches and summer accommodation, while the nearby Terme Luigiane district is associated with mineral-rich thermal waters. This is not a large resort with a long list of sights. Its appeal lies in the contrast between the old town, the shore and the spa area—and in the chance to experience a quieter stretch of Calabria’s coast.

→