The Lake Villa Nature Reserve was established in 1982 and covers 25 hectares, at an altitude between 810 and 980 meters, between the municipalities of Challand-Saint-Victor and Montjovet. An oasis of peace and tranquility where you can listen to the sounds of nature and observe the surrounding mountains. It is interesting to visit it in every season, to admire the colors of the changing leaves, as well as the plant and animal species that populate it.
Here are some technical data about the naturalistic area:
Environment: lake-peat basin of low mountain, characterized by a sharp contrast between the marshy environment of the lake and the arid surrounding environment.
Fauna: the nature reserve is the main regional breeding station for the common toad. Among the reptiles there are the maraiola lizard and the white whiting, while the fish fauna consists of cyprinids and eels.
Flora: the waters of the lake host two very rare floating plants in the Aosta Valley, the white water lily (if you want to enjoy its flowering, the months indicated are those of June and July) and the amphibious polygon. The reed bed consists mainly of the marsh straw; the tree vegetation is formed by hygrophilous groves near the banks and by woodlands of pine and downy oak on the sunny slopes surrounding.
For children and teenagers, but also for adults, it would be interesting to combine the visit to Lake Villa with a walk along the path 11 that leads from the Nature Reserve to Col d'Arlaz, an artistic path has been created with 14 works created using natural materials (earth, leaves, wood...) and you will meet flowers, colored pencils... even a giant fish!
Accessibility
The site is accessible by all, even by people with disabilities: in the immediate vicinity of the entrance of the path that leads to the lake, there is in fact a parking lot for disabled people and the road has been completely paved, to allow even the even the prams to move comfortably.
How to get there by car
On the regional road n. 45 of the Val d'Ayas, after the village of Challand-Saint-Victor, a sign with the words "Lake Villa Nature Reserve" indicates the junction that leads to the lake. After about 2.5 km you reach a small car park located directly at the side of the road. In the parking lot an information panel describes the area and its main paths.
