Hemp weaving in the Aosta Valley was not only a historical tradition but also a complex artisanal process that began with the cultivation of hemp, sown in the fields of the lower valley and then subjected to retting and beating to separate the fibers, which were then spun into a coarse, durable yarn. The hemp, wound into balls, was then carried on the shoulders by the women themselves up to Champorcher, where it was woven and transformed into sheets, pillowcases, tablecloths, and shirts.

Hemp is green: compared to other materials, it requires much less water during cultivation (80% less than cotton), it is more productive than linen, and its structure contains many more lumens than other fibers — that is, a greater number of air channels — making it extremely insulating.

To better convey the value of hemp in the local families’ economy in the past, an Ecomuseum has also been opened: it preserves an example of a loom, which was very simple, made of larch wood with cord heddles.

In traditional homes, the loom was placed in a corner next to the window, often in the barn, to make use of the limited space available. Weaving was generally done during winter evenings, and in spring, the newly woven cloth was washed. The washing was almost a ritual, culminating in the display of the fabric along the street, where it could be admired and evaluated by the community.