This area includes the valleys of Cogne, Valsavarenche and Rhemes, which form
the Gran Paradiso National Park and the valley of Valgrisenche.
At about 14km from Aosta at 880m on a dominant terrace of the valley you meet Introd
with its castle of the 13th century, a big round building dominated by a square
tower standing in the central inner court (closed to the public). Near the castle there
is an old farmhouse called l’ Ola, one of the best examples of rural buildings in Valle d'Aosta . In the village you can also visit the wood carving center “Les amis du bois”.
The name of the village, Introd, has his origin from its position at the crossing of
the Savara and the Dora di Rhemes rivers.
Several excursions are possible starting from the little village of Les Combes, where
the Pope spends his summer holidays.
Valsavarenche in the heart of Gran Paradiso national park is the best area for
excursions to Gran Paradiso, the only mountain over 4000 m situated completely in
Italy, and to the Grivola mountain.
During the last century this area was chosen by
the Royal Family for their chamois and ibexes hunts and today it is a good starting
point for excursions in the park.
In the valley are scattered several picturesque villages: Chevrire, Molore, Bois de Clin,
Rovenaud.
Where the valley widens is the village of Degioz, where you can find the
Visitors center of Gran Paradiso Park, which presents the main natural aspects of the
park, as well as the predators present in the area. The last village you can reach by
car after Eaux Rousses and Maisonnasse is Pont, from where the track to Nivolet Pass
starts linking Valsavarenche with Ceresole Reale and Turin.
The Rhemes Valley is parallel
to Valsavarenche. Driving upwards you first meet the quiet village of Rhemes-Saint-Georges
at 1218 m, starting point of several excursions during which you can see
marmots, chamois, ibexes and also the lammergeyer, a recently arrival in our region.
At the end of the valley is the little village of Rhemes-Notre-Dame with a visitors
center with the permanent exhibition called “Welcome back lammergeyer”
concerning the extinction and the reappearance of the biggest European bird.
The other
beautiful valley present in the area is Valgrisenche, which can be reached
from Leverogne (Arvier) on a road climbing near a peak on which stands the sanctuary
of Rochefort (once a medieval castle) near the village of the same name.
The wild landscape
is dominated by Montmayeur tower. Continuing up the road there is a medieval fortified manor
house just before the village of Planaval. In the valley you can admire the Ruitor
glacier and the imposing artificial lake of Valgrisenche, whose wall is used for climbing.
At 1664m is the little village of Valgrisenche, with its parish church of the 14th cent.
and its medieval bell tower.
In Valgrisenche you can also visit the “Draps exhibition” (local hand-woven material). Drap
weaving has been the typical handicraft of the inhabitants of Valgrisenche since time
immemorial. A rough cloth made from sheep’s wool and woven on rudimentary looms
is available today in bright colors and geometrical or checked patterns.
