Bard, Aosta Valley

Bard

*Bar* (Valdôtain)
*Board* (Walser)
Bard Bar (Valdôtain); Board (Walser)
Comune
	Comune di Bard; Commune de Bard
	Bard in the gorge near Bard Fort.
	Coat of arms
	Bard Location of Bard in Italy Bard Bard (Aosta Valley)
	Coordinates: 45°36′32.19″N 7°44′43.69″E / 45.6089417°N 7.7454694°E
Country	Italy
Region	Aosta Valley
Province	Aosta Valley
Frazioni	Albard-de-Bard, La Barmaz, Le Bourg, Le Chemin-de-Saint-Jean, Le Chesal, Le Corlet, La Cou, Coudrey, Le Crous, Le Fort, La Fumas, Hors-des-Portes, Jacquemet, Liéron, Lillaz, Nissert, Le Petit-Fort, Sainte-Anne, Saint-Jean, Valsourdaz
Area
• Total	3.03 km2 (1.17 sq mi)
Elevation	400 m (1,300 ft)
Population (2026)
• Total	99
• Density	33/km2 (85/sq mi)
Demonym	Bardois
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code	11020
Dialing code	0125
Patron saint	Assumption of Mary
Saint day	15 August
Website	Official website

Bard (French: [baʁ] ^ⓘ; Valdôtain: Bar [bar]; Issime Walser: Board) is a village and comune (municipality) in the Aosta Valley region of northwestern Italy. It is part of the Unité des communes valdôtaines du Mont-Rose^[3] and has a population of 99.^[2] It is one of I Borghi più belli d'Italia ("The most beautiful villages of Italy").^[4]

Fort Bard (Italian: Forte di Bard; French: Fort de Bard) is a fortified complex built in the 19th century by the House of Savoy on a rocky prominence above the town. After many years of neglect, it has been completely restored. In 2006 it reopened to tourists as the home for the Museum of the Alps. The fort also has art exhibitions. In the summer, the main courtyard is used to host musical and theatrical performances.

History

Bard lies within a steep-sided gorge within the Aosta Valley.

Bard lies at the centre of a deep, narrow gorge at the head of the Aosta Valley. This strategic point has been inhabited since the Neolithic period as archaeologists have found several large engraved stones around the area. It later became a major route between Celtic Gaul and the Roman world of the Italian peninsula.

Today the town has many buildings dating back to the 16th century. These include the Bishop's House and the House of the Sun Dial. The Dora Baltea is also crossed by a medieval stone bridge

Fort Bard, which protects the pass, is built on the site of many earlier fortifications. In May 1800, it halted an entire French army launching a surprise attack on Northern Italy. It eventually fell to the division of French general Joseph Chabran on 1 June 1800.

Geography

Bard is located at the narrowest point of the Aosta Valley. At this point, the Dora Baltea makes a sharp turn around the large rock promontory on which Fort Bard is located. The steep valley sides mean the village is full of small streets that are bordered by historic stone buildings.

Climate

The climate is mild for most of the year. The winter is cold but generally dry.

Demographics

As of 2026, the population is 99, of which 40.4% are male, and 59.6% are female, the highest females-to-males ratio of all Italian municipalities. Minors make up 14.1% of the population, and seniors make up 25.3%.^[2]

Historical population

Year	Pop.	±%
1861	515	—
1871	382	−25.8%
1881	371	−2.9%
1901	334	−10.0%
1911	390	+16.8%
1921	282	−27.7%
1931	208	−26.2%
1936	182	−12.5%

Year	Pop.	±%
1951	215	+18.1%
1961	186	−13.5%
1971	167	−10.2%
1981	142	−15.0%
1991	161	+13.4%
2001	139	−13.7%
2011	125	−10.1%
2021	108	−13.6%

Source: ISTAT^[5]^[6]

Immigration

As of 2025, immigrants make up 9.8% of the population. The 5 largest foreign countries of birth are Brazil, Romania, Albania, Argentina, and Cameroon.^[7]