Outdoor Food & Antique Markets in Val D'Aosta

Apart from being the most unique source of souvenirs and consolation gifts for the friends you left behind, outdoor markets are some of the most interesting places in Italy. Almost all of them offer a collection of items that ranges from near-worthless knickknacks to priceless works of art, from the ancient to the post-post modern. Some markets are specialized but all welcome visitors, who are encouraged to have fun bargaining in English, Italian, sign language or any combination of the above. A word to the wise: keep your money and valuables stashed under at least one layer of clothes. Who wants to spend the whole time worrying why all those people are jostling you?

Here is a partial calendar of outdoor markets held in Valle d'Aosta. Keep in mind that special outdoor markets are almost always held on the occasion of town fairs and festivals.

Donnas
(Wooden Goods Fair, next-to-last and last Sundays of January). A great place to buy all your souvenirs. This is a relatively small market, but it fills most of the tiny medieval town's main street.

Monumental Complex of S. Orso
Aosta
(Fiera di Sant'Orso Arts and Crafts Fair, January 30-31). The most important street market in the region. You'll compete with thousands of buyers - and almost as many vendors - for beautifully crafted objects in wood, wrought iron, lace, straw and handwoven fabrics. If someone offers you a strange mug with many spouts full of steaming liquid, it's the local coppa dell'amicizia (cup of friendship), a spicy coffee drink that is traditionally passed among friends. Legend has it that this fair's first edition took place in the year 1000!
Verrès
(Antiques and Knick-Knacks Market, first Sundays of June, July, August and September, and the Sunday before Christmas). Loads of stands, selling everything from priceless furniture to useless junk, fill almost the entire center of this town.

Food Markets

Mondays
Chatillon
Tuesdays
Aosta
Wednesdays
Courmayeur
Thursdays
Gressoney-Saint Jean
Saint Vincent
Fridays
Issogne
Valtournanche
Saturdays
Antey Saint Andre
Sundays
Cogne

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