Challant

The community of Ayas, together with that of Brusson, came under the rule of the counts of Challant after the fief of Graines — until then belonging to the Abbey of Saint-Maurice d’Agaune (in the Valais) — was ceded to them in 1263. Relations between the lords of Challant and the communities of Ayas and Brusson were regulated by a series of charters that guaranteed residents certain legal and fiscal freedoms and immunities; these feudal ties came to an end in 1768 with the redemption of rents, tithes, and other rights upon payment of a substantial sum.

Motto (as recorded in the Castello di Issogne): Tout est monde et le monde n’est rien — “all is the world and the world is nothing,” signifying the ephemeral nature of life.

Coat of arms: argent, a chief gules, with a bendlet sable.

Bibliography

M. Vassallo (ed.), Il cuore antico di Ayas. Documenti d’archivio dal XIII al XVIII secolo, documentary exhibition and catalogue, Arti grafiche E. Duc, Aosta, 1997

The ‘Baita dell’Orso’

Outside the historic centre, in Tchampiàn-Damón (Champlan di Sopra), beyond the Regional Road, stands the ancient building known as ‘lo Mìete dou Réi’ (the King’s House), also called the ‘Baita dell’Orso’ (Bear’s Hut), decorated with noble coats of arms and a fresco depicting the struggle between a man and a bear, commemorating the killing of a bear at the locality of Barrére. According to tradition, the hut was home to Matteo Brunod, known as ‘lo Réi’ (the King) for his Herculean strength, who became famous throughout the valley for having killed a bear with his bare hands in 1782 and for having nailed its paws as a trophy to the door of a nearby rascard. One of these paws has for several years been nailed to the balcony of the historic Casa Challant in Antagnod, while all trace of the other has been lost.