Cultivation and processing of hemp: a tradition from the Champorcher valley

Hemp was cultivated especially in the area around Chambave and in other places in the lower Aosta Valley. Cloth weaving, though, was a typical activity of the Champorcher valley.

Looms were generally made of larch-wood with rope loom healds. You can see a perfectly preserved loom in the village of Chardonney.

Hemp weaving stopped for many years, but recently took off again: the “Lou Dzeut” co-operative uses hemp cloth from Champorcher to make bedding, towels, shirts.
Besides, a permanent exhibition and a workshop for the processing of the product can be visited.