Located in an elevated position, the ancient manor consists of a large building from which a square tower rises. The primitive construction, of which today only the bases of the tower remain, was begun in 1242 by Giacomo di Bard, founder of the Sarre family. He belonged to this family until 1364, when, following the death of Pietro di Sarre, the last male heir, Amedeo VI of Savoy entrusted him to Enrico di Quart.
The building then had several owners until the early 1700s, when it was bought by Baron Jean-François Ferrod, partner of Count Perrone di San Martino in the exploitation of the Ollomont mines. Ferrod radically modified the building by demolishing the ruined walls and keeping only the tower. Beside the building, in 1713, he built the chapel dedicated to Santa Barbara and San Nicola. Inside, the 14th century carved wooden table depicting the Mystery of the Annunciation is interesting. When Ferrod failed, the castle passed to the Rapets, Nicole di Bard and Gerbore.
In 1869 King Vittorio Emanuele II bought the castle, for the price of 55,000 lire, from the notary Gerbore Leonardo of Aosta. The king had the stables built and the ancient tower raised, transforming it into an observatory. It became the residence of the sovereign during his hunting stays in the Aosta Valley and the hunting trophies went to fill the walls of some rooms. A telegraph line allowed connections to the Orvieille hunting camp in Valsavarenche. After various decorative interventions carried out by Umberto I, the castle was inhabited by the Princes of Piedmont, Umberto and Maria Josè, during their holiday stays in Valle d'Aosta.
In 1989 the complex was purchased by the Valle d'Aosta Region and, after regulatory adaptation, restoration and preparation works, curated by the Super-Tendency for Cultural Heritage, it is now again open to the public. On the ground floor, a museum illustrates the history of the castle, its relationship with the oldest Savoy hunting residences, the phases of furnishing and housing renovation, through historical drawings and inventories.
On the main floor, it is possible to walk through the monumental gallery, visit the large game room and hunting trophies and some private rooms. Portraits, memorabilia, photographs, prints, books, precious objects, paintings, sculptures and fine furnishings accompany the visitor along the museum itinerary.
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