The Polenta Concia

The dish that warms Aosta Valley in every season

In Aosta Valley, there's a scent that announces winter before the first snow falls: slow-cooked polenta, stirred with mountain butter and melting cheese. This is polenta concia, the dish that has brought Valdostan families together by the fire for centuries. More than a recipe, it's a way of being together.

A Story Born from the Cold

Like many mountain dishes, it was born from necessity. Farming families used what they had: cornmeal, alpine cheese, butter. The name "concia" comes from the French concer, meaning to season — a linguistic legacy of this border valley's history.

This was no ordinary meal: it gave people the energy to work the fields and tend the animals. And it was made together, around the copper pot, while stories passed from one generation to the next along with the wooden spoon.

Polenta was eaten every day, in countless ways: with potatoes, in fresh milk, reheated the next day with a little cheese. For the lucky ones, even with a touch of jam.

Ingredients That Tell the Valley's Story

Every ingredient in this rustic dish comes from here — from the pastures and mountain huts you'll see on your way up to the alpine lakes or the ski lifts. The recipe rests on just a few, well-chosen elements:

Coarsely ground cornmeal
Fontina DOP, sweet and creamy
Mountain butter, adding a soft, rich note

The secret lies in the alpine cheese: cows graze on flowers and herbs at high altitude, and you can taste it in every bite.

A Ritual Worth the Time

It's cooked in a copper pot, stirred continuously for at least forty minutes — traditionally with a juniper branch, which adds an extra layer of flavor. Once the polenta turns creamy, the "concia" begins: cheese cut into pieces, then butter. Everything is stirred vigorously until it melts into one smooth, silky mixture.

It's served immediately, piping hot, while the cheese is still perfectly melted. That's the moment the dish truly shines.

A Dish for Every Season

In winter, it warms you after a day on the slopes — enriched with sausage or porcini mushrooms, it's perfect for an evening après-ski.

In summer, it becomes lighter — or almost! Often served with seasonal vegetables or as a side to grilled meats. At village festivals, you'll still find it cooked in large pots, shared at long tables, alongside glasses of Torrette or Fumin wine, which stand up beautifully to the cheese's richness.

Real Energy for Mountain Living

This is a dish that truly nourishes: the carbohydrates in polenta provide long-lasting energy, the cheese brings protein and calcium, the butter adds the vitamins you need on cold days. Perfect before or after a hike, cross-country skiing, or a day on the slopes.

Like any great dish, it comes down to good ingredients: clean water, quality cornmeal, real Fontina and butter. But taste it in a mountain hut, slow-cooked and shared with good company, and somehow it tastes even better.

If you visit us in Champoluc, just ask — we'll be happy to point you to the best polenta concia in the valley, depending on the season.

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About us

All was really good

We had a great stay, very comfortable, the best view ever from the valley and mountains, stunning. I really liked to be met at the property and shown where to park and shown our apartment, keys etc.

Anneke, ie - 01-07-2024

We had a great stay, very comfortable, the best view ever from the valley and mountains, stunning. I really liked to be met at the property and shown where to park and shown our apartment, keys etc.

Anneke, ie - Family holiday

01-07-2024

Nice and friendly hotel, great breakfast

Nice small hotel with family feeling. Good quality / value for money. Excellent breakfast, clean and tidy. Only a short walk to the gondola, plenty of restaurants in all price ranges just around the c

Ulf H - 25-03-2024

Nice small hotel with family feeling. Good quality / value for money. Excellent breakfast, clean and tidy. Only a short walk to the gondola, plenty of restaurants in all price ranges just around the corner from the hotel

Ulf H - Family holiday

25-03-2024

All the comfort you need when enjoying this charming town.

We really enjoyed our stay at the Hotel L'Aiglon. Firstly the staff were so pleasant and helpful. The room was fine, next time we'd opt for one with a balcony! Comfortable bed, great shower. Plenty of

percehere - 24-03-2024

We really enjoyed our stay at the Hotel L'Aiglon. Firstly the staff were so pleasant and helpful. The room was fine, next time we'd opt for one with a balcony! Comfortable bed, great shower. Plenty of storage and hooks for all our ski gear! Breakfast was in a lovely sunny room and there was plenty of choice for all nationalities. It's a slow 10 minute walk to the gondola, we opted for storing our gear there, although you can use the hotel's. Wellness centre was a perfect end to the days skiing.Definitely recommend and we'll be back!

percehere - Holiday with friends

24-03-2024

Easter Ski Trip

My adult kids and I had a great time, the hotel was clean, tidy and everyone was extremely helpful. The breakfast buffet was a treat each morning and the sauna/hot tub were great after a hard days sk

marka12023 - 13-04-2023

My adult kids and I had a great time, the hotel was clean, tidy and everyone was extremely helpful. The breakfast buffet was a treat each morning and the sauna/hot tub were great after a hard days skiing. Overall really good value for money and very welcoming

marka12023 - Family holiday

13-04-2023

Happy Vacation in Hotel L'Aiglon.

Stayed in Hotel L'Aiglon for 3 nights earlier this week. Great place to stay. Rooms were really comfortable and plenty of space and really clean. We received a really warm welcome on arrival and right

dubontour2016 - 20-01-2023

Stayed in Hotel L'Aiglon for 3 nights earlier this week. Great place to stay. Rooms were really comfortable and plenty of space and really clean. We received a really warm welcome on arrival and right throughout our stay. Breakfast was included in the price. Food was great - loads of variety and really healthy food to prepare us for the day ahead. Would love to return and stay here again in the future.

dubontour2016 - Family holiday

20-01-2023

Nice location, great value

Nice breakfast, clean and large room, perfect for a family of four with a pet.

Fabio Sergio, it - 10-01-2023

Nice breakfast, clean and large room, perfect for a family of four with a pet.

Fabio Sergio, it - Family holiday

10-01-2023

Excellent séjour à l'hôtel l'Aiglon!

L'accueil est sympathique et chaleureux. Les chambres sont spacieuses. L'hôtel est idéalement situé et le cadre est très agréable. Le petit déjeuner est extra avec un personnel au petit soin et très

PierreG04 - 28-06-2022

L'accueil est sympathique et chaleureux. Les chambres sont spacieuses. L'hôtel est idéalement situé et le cadre est très agréable. Le petit déjeuner est extra avec un personnel au petit soin et très sympa. Je ne peux que recommander chaleureusement l'hôtel l'Aiglon!

PierreG04 - Solo holiday

28-06-2022

Friendly familystyle hotel

We spent a few days before Easter in wonderful Champoluc, we decided to stay at L'Aiglon. The hotel has great location in the village, very friendly staff; most helpful when it comes to answer questio

908micaeld - 18-04-2022

We spent a few days before Easter in wonderful Champoluc, we decided to stay at L'Aiglon. The hotel has great location in the village, very friendly staff; most helpful when it comes to answer questions and point us to good deals and opportunities. The breakfast is wonderful, in itself worth the stay.

908micaeld - Family holiday

18-04-2022

Fabulous return visit

We have stayed here several times. First visit since the pandemic. The warm Italian welcome ever present. Such a friendly family run hotel. Spotlessly clean, very comfy, lovely views, great breakfast

Julie H - 21-03-2022

We have stayed here several times. First visit since the pandemic. The warm Italian welcome ever present. Such a friendly family run hotel. Spotlessly clean, very comfy, lovely views, great breakfast and next to the ski lift for Antagnod mini ski area so quiet on the slopes perfect. We will return again and again. Brandy measures in the bar still extremely generous! Thank you all the staff!

Julie H - Family holiday

21-03-2022

Another GREAT stay

We have been coming to this wonderful family operated hotel for more than 10 years for an annual ski vacation. Great location near main gondola and our favorite restaurants. Good and friendly service.

LarsNice - 14-03-2022

We have been coming to this wonderful family operated hotel for more than 10 years for an annual ski vacation. Great location near main gondola and our favorite restaurants. Good and friendly service. Good breakfast. Rooms are well kept and neatly cleaned daily. Overall, we find L’Aiglon great value for the reasonable rates. We are already looking forward to our next visit!

LarsNice - Couples holiday

14-03-2022