“A devilishly fascinating bridge!”
The devil has been at work at Pont-Saint-Martin. In fact, according to legend, the impressive Roman bridge over the River Lys is his handiwork.
Cleverly tricked by St. Martin, he built ‘a good bridge, large and very solid’ in just one night, in exchange for the soul of the first man which crossed it. But no-one lost their soul, thanks to the skill of St. Martin who, with strategic ingenuity saved both soul and bridge. The viaduct is also protected by the Nymph of Lys.
The re-enactment of the creation of the bridge is repeated every year in the excitement of the Carnival. The town celebrates with dishes made with beans and evenings of dance, reliving the story between roman-chariot races and choreographed parade, which culminates in the burning of a puppet devil.
An ancient crossroads to Galilee, and a stronghold of the domain of Bard and later of the Savoy household, the evocative town of Pont-Saint-Martin, which is steeped in legend, rises up just in the place where the Piedmont and the Aosta Valley meet.
Action Pont-Saint-Martin
A running race in the mountains
Every year in July the Pont-Saint-Martin to Mont Crabun race is held: a 13 kilometre run in the mountains, with an elevation of 2335 metres. After the race, participants and athletes can recuperate with the typical delicacies: local cheese on black bread.
Immersed in the greenery of the woods, among centuries-old chestnut trees and birch trees with their roots in the banks of the River Lys, numerous panoramic hikes can be made to the ‘Stagno di Holey’ Natural Reserve or to the Mount Parassone (1799 meters) , from which you can enjoy a magnificent view over the valley below. For those who love forts and castles, the ruins of the ancient castle of Suzey (above Ivery) are well worth a visit.