Between snow and culture

The mountains in winter are the ideal place for a family holiday. Skiing first and foremost, but not only. In the valleys and on the peaks of the Gran Paradiso National Park, the offer is multiple. From extreme sports, to long walks, food and wine tours, and visits to the visitor centres of the Fondation Gran Paradis, which offer an in-depth and stimulating approach to the culture and nature of this splendid area.

The mountains in winter are the ideal place for a family holiday. Skiing first and foremost, but not only. In the valleys and on the peaks of the Gran Paradiso National Park, the offer is multiple. From extreme sports, to long walks, food and wine tours, and visits to the visitor centres of the Fondation Gran Paradis, which offer an in-depth and stimulating approach to the culture and nature of this splendid area. Ongoing event at the ALPINART EXHIBITION CENTRE in Cogne: "Dresses. Tales of lived clothes from the Aosta Valley tradition', open until 31 December 2009. The exhibition represents an extraordinarily important cultural event: for the first time, the entire collection of traditional clothes and jewellery, collected throughout the region at the end of the 19th century, returns, on the occasion of the International Exhibition of 1911, organised to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the Unification of Italy and celebrate the 'Italic people'. An important section is dedicated to contemporary textile and clothing production in the Aosta Valley. These are cooperatives working in the territory. 

Locations

 In the name of tradition, you can visit some of the places managed by the Fondation Gran Paradis, such as the Maison de Cogne Gérard-Dayné and the Maison Bruil in Introd, examples of rural architecture and testimonies of the cultural heritage of the past. Or the beautiful visitor centres (located in several locations, Cogne, Rhêmes-Notre-Dame, Vlsavaranche) the ideal reference point for discovering the Park. Modern facilities designed for a multimedia and interactive approach to the world and culture of the mountains. 

Sports 

For lovers of cross-country skiing, Cogne is home to the only slope with a view of Gran Paradiso and Mont Blanc. Thanks to night lighting, cross-country skiing can also be practised at night in Saint-Nicolas and Valsavarenche, resorts that, together with Rhêmes-Notre-Dame, also have a snowmaking system. During the Christmas period, each resort organises fascinating torchlight processions and sleigh rides, pulled by beautiful horses (www.trekkingcogne.com). The alpine guide societies of Valsavaranche and Cogne organise climbs along the Gran Paradiso icefalls and dry canyoning. A truly unique experience is that of a hot-air balloon flight. 

Food and wine trail

Atelier du Goût Maison Bruil At Maison Bruil there is a special area reserved for local products: the Atelier du Goût. L'Atelier du Goût is the network of producers created by Fondation Grand Paradis to promote and enhance the typical flavours of local food and wine. Guided tastings of typical food and wine products, special pairings of red and white wines, cured meats and cheeses from Espace Gran Paradis, not forgetting honey and local sweets await you. After a day spent in the snow, it is ideal to sample the flavours of the area. Some renowned local food and wine companies to visit: La Ferme du Grand Paradis, Valnontey - Cogne, is an organic farm, in the heart of Valnontey, on the cross-country skiing slopes of Cogne, which produces numerous goat and cow cheeses (www.lafermedugrandparadis.it) Azienda agricola da Emy, Valsavarenche, own production and direct sale of the typical genepy (0165-905791) Maison Anselmet, Villeneuve, at the bottom of the valley, discovering the wines of one of the most important cellars in the area (www.maisonanselmet.vievini.it) Azienda agricola Teppex Manuel, Aymavilles, production and sale of excellent honey: millefiori, lime, chestnut, the sweet flavours of Gran Paradiso Pastry shop Perret, Cogne, where you can find sweets to suit all palates: roofing tiles, cogneins, cakes and panettone cakes made by hand. Pastry shop renowned for the production of the typical mécoulin, a local sweet bread prepared by hand using a traditional recipe

FONDATION GRAN PARADIS

Villaggio Minatori - 11012 Cogne (AO)
Tel 0165 749264 fax 0165 749618
www.grand-paradis.en info@grand-paradis.it 

Press Office SPAINI & PARTNERS

T. 050 36660 / 36985 Guido Spaini guido.spaini@spaini.it
Matilde Meucci 349 2381566 matilde.meucci@spaini.it
Francesca Pardossi 347 3839137 ufficiostampa@spaini.it