Exilles: Fortress, Culture and Mountain Trails

Exilles combines fortress history and religious buildings with hiking trails and the grappa tradition of Deveys. Depending on your interests, you can focus your stay on culture, short hikes or the mountain landscape of the Vallone di Galambra.

Forte di Exilles and its History

Forte di Exilles already existed as a complex structure by 1155 at the latest, and is considered one of Piedmont’s oldest architectural monuments and defensive systems. Between 1681 and 1687, the famous and mysterious figure known as the “Maschera di Ferro” (Iron Mask) stayed here. The Forte opened to the public on July 8, 2000; inside are two museum areas featuring particularly innovative exhibitions.

Guided tours take visitors into hidden areas and through rooms and corridors once used by soldiers and prisoners. Dates and availability may vary by season. If you plan to take a tour, check the details for your travel dates.

At the foot of the Forte, near the entrance, there is a large free car park, making the site convenient and easy to access. Check the latest visitor information before you arrive.

Chapels and Local History

Pierre Odiard had the Cappella di San Rocco e San Sebastiano built in 1660 as a private votive chapel. It is dedicated to Saint Roch and Saint Sebastian the Martyr. Stones from an older, demolished building were probably used in its construction; remnants of pre-Christian flat reliefs support this interpretation.

The Cappella di San Biagio e San Pietro Apostolo in Deveys is reliably dated to the second half of the 15th century based on interior frescoes rediscovered during recent restoration work. There is also an anthropomorphic fountain dating from 1773 at the entrance to Deveys.

Deveys and the Grappa Tradition

Since 2013, the premises in Deveys have housed the “Gianfranco Joannas” Grappa Museum. It was founded to preserve and promote the wood-fired distillation tradition that remains alive in the area. During the first days of December each year, the wood-fired still is made available to the community’s winegrowers so they can produce their own grappa.

Hikes from San Colombano to Monte Chabrière

The short hike to San Colombano follows an old mule track connecting the main settlement of Exilles with San Colombano. Along the way, it passes through mixed woodland and by rocky outcrops, with views opening up over Forte di Exilles. The route therefore links the historic path with views of the fortress.

Another short and easy hike leads to Monte Chabrière at 2,401 metres. It follows the trail to Passo Galambra and Bivacco Mario Sigot; at a junction, a branch leads to the summit cross. From the summit, the view stretches over the middle valley with Rocciamelone and the upper valley with Chaberton, as far as Monte Niblé and the watershed along the border. The Anello di Cima Quattro Denti hike passes the famous “Pertus” of Colombano Romean.

The two short hikes offer different highlights: San Colombano is associated with the old connecting path and views of the Forte, while the route to Monte Chabrière focuses on the climb to the summit and the panorama of the surrounding mountains.

Mountain Landscape and Getting There

Many mountains of the Massiccio d’Ambin lie within the municipality of Exilles, at the upper end of the Vallone di Galambra. The valley opens out on the orographically left-hand slope. There, near the hamlet of Grande della Valle at an altitude of 1,850 metres, stands Rifugio Levi Molinari, the most important of three mountain refuges in an area of particular natural value.

Sadem bus route 286 connects Exilles with nearby towns, including Susa and Oulx. Check the timetable before travelling, as details of current departures for this connection are not included here.

Discover more destinations: Foglizzo, Noasca, Piamprato, Moncenisio, Pragelato, Borgone Susa, Pianezza, Isolabella

For the main travel overview: Turin.