Italy

Maison Nicole, Bard


Monumental house
Maison Nicole has a public part (monument) – the ancient residence of the De Jordanis nobles and later of the Nicole Counts – who in 1744 had obtained the investiture as Counts of Bard from the King of Sardinia. The building extends along Via Vittorio Emanuele II—the main artery of the village, spanning the ancient Via Gallia—a section of the building overlooks the street and constitutes one of the ancient access gates to the Fort: the façade still bears the marks of gunshots dating back to Napoleon's assault in 1800. The public part of the building has recently been restored. In addition to the stuccoes that adorn the stairs and rooms on the main floor, the interior features a private chapel, unusually located on the top floor and entirely painted (walls and dome vault) by Giovanni Antonio da Biella in 1758. The architecture and stuccoes that adorn the stairs and rooms on the main floor make this ancient residence one of the few perfectly preserved noble palaces in the Aosta Valley.


Document House
The building being sold is the private portion adjacent to the monument, a building classified as a document under regional legislation and subject to cultural heritage protection. The property comprises three floors above ground, plus a basement and several underground spaces (cellar, icebox), for a total floor area of approximately 540 square meters. The main floor—very bright thanks to the open view—features nested state rooms and perimeter balconies overlooking the Bard Fortress. Access to the property mirrors the ticket office and the entrance to the museum complex, an increasingly important part of the Italian and European cultural landscape. The primary use is residential, with some units serving as ancillary spaces such as storage and garages. The conversion of the existing building from its current permanent residence to tourism/accommodation, temporary residence, and local retail uses is permitted by the governing instruments in compliance therewith. The project is consistent with the key principles and programs of the Valle d'Aosta PTP and, as analyzed, is compatible with the current Master Plan for the Municipality of Bard. The technical report on the property by architect André Clos is available for consultation.


***In the aerial photo of the village of Bard, the monumental part is surrounded by the oval while the part subject to transaction is surrounded by the hexagon.


The Village


The village of Bard – at the foot of the fortress of the same name – is rich in artistic and architectural treasures. Due to its strategic position, it has always been a bulwark against invasions and its fortress has been fortified since ancient times. Nestled between the two sides of the mountain, the village features numerous palaces and prestigious residences – joined by arches, with mullioned windows or cross windows – and numerous fountains. The fortress that dominates it dates back to the Middle Ages (1034), is the most imposing example of military architecture in the Aosta Valley and was built where the Salassi and the Romans had already constructed defensive structures. The medieval village of Bard overlooks the geological site characterised by cavities formed in the rock by the erosive force of sub-glacial waters. Rock carvings dating back to the Iron Age can also be found in the area. Bard Fort, which dominates the village, is named after Napoleon's passage through the area and the stay of Camillo Benso di Cavour. In 2023, the Fort exceeded 300,000 visitors. The village has recently attracted the attention of numerous travel and lifestyle magazines, making it into the ranking of Italy's most beautiful villages, and particularly attracting the attention of investors in the tourism, hospitality, and restaurant sectors.