Immersion: Piedmont, the last secret of Italy

By Nadia Hamam

It was in 2006, on the occasion of the Winter Olympics in Turin, that the destination revealed all its treasures. The most discerning travellers discovered its stone monuments. Those of nature, first of all: the reliefs of the Italian Alps, such as Monte Rosa and Monte Viso, where Italyʼs longest river, the Po, rises. And those of culture, spread across villages and towns, starting with the epicenter of the region: Turin.

Turin, a hub of art and culture

Long perceived as an industrial city dominated by the mobile car manufacturer Fiat, the beating heart of Piedmont has nothing to envy the great Italian cities.

Elegant and eclectic, the country’s first historic capital is a priceless gem.

Explore its historic center on foot, dominated by the 167-metre-high Mole Antonelliana, which offers a unique panorama from its 85-metre-high balcony. Designed by Baroque architects, the long avenues thread luxury boutiques, authentic cafés and cultural hotspots under majestic arcades. Piazza Castello is home to the Palazzo Madama and the Palazzo Reale, once the principal residence of the Savoy royal family.

The Castello del Valentino, another residence of the kings of Savoy, and the Borgo Medievale, a historical reconstruction inspired by various castles in Piedmont and Valle d’Aosta, take pride of place in the immense Parco del Valentino. This lung of greenery along the River Po is the perfect rendezvous for lovers.

In the Piazza San Carlo, you can play the game of seven differences in front of the Baroque churches of San Carlo and Santa Cristina: true false twins! Soccer fans take note: Juventus tifosis come here to celebrate victory.

F1 fans? Take a detour to Turin’s famous national mobile car museum. The city, with its natural creative energy, boasts some 50 museums, including the imposing Musei Reali (Royal Museums), Fondazione Torino Musei (GAM – modern and contemporary art gallery), MAO (Oriental Art Museum) and Palazzo Madama.

Art towns, charming villages and listed landscapes

Alessandria, Asti, Biella, Cuneo, Novara, Vercelli, Verbania… The refinement of Piedmont’s art towns knows no bounds. The small villages have nothing to envy them: there are twenty “ Most Beautiful Villages in Italy ” in Piedmont! Special mention goes to Roddi, with its most picturesque square, and Cherasco, with its star-shaped ramparts.

Outside the walls, the valleys are home to Romanesque treasures such as abbeys, fortresses, cathedrals and presbyteries. In Cuneo, the sanctuary of Vicoforte houses the largest elliptical dome in the world. Following in the footsteps of medieval pilgrims, a network of paths converges on the sacred mountains of Piedmont (Belmonte, Crea, Domodossola, Ghiffa, Oropa, Orta and Varallo), which are listed as World Heritage Sites. Built between the 15th and 17th centuries, these architectural microcosms were created as places of prayer as an alternative to the Holy Land. Not to be missed, at the top of Mount Pirchiriano: the Sacra di San Michele abbey, immortalized in Umberto Eco’s The Name of the Rose.

Birthplace of the Slow Food movement

Piedmont is a destination that can be enjoyed as much as it can be visited! Turin is the birthplace of vermouth and aperitif, gianduja and artisanal ice cream. From one street to the next, it’s great to sip a caffè, a bicerin (a blend of coffee and chocolate) or nibble an apericena (literally the aperitif-dinner drink), typically Turinese. At the Lavazza Museum, which tells the story of the country’s largest coffee manufacturer, you can taste freshly ground black beans in expert mode.

The region is also renowned for its IGP chocolate and hazelnuts, meats and rice varieties, artisan cheeses and, of course, dʼAlba white truffles. It’s no coincidence that the Slow Food movement was born here. A trip to Piedmont also includes UNESCO-listed wine-growing landscapes such as the Langhe and Roero. An opportunity to meet passionate producers, and taste excellent reds (Barolo, Barbaresco, Nebbiolo…) and the most distinguished whites (Erbaluce, Gavi, Arneis…).

The power of nature

Many artists have tried to capture the wild beauty of Piedmont’s landscapes. A skilful blend of rice paddies and lakes, hills and peaks that outdoor sports enthusiasts will embrace wholeheartedly. With 2 national parks and 77 parks and nature reserves, there’s plenty to do! In autumn, you can explore the 20,000 km of roads with their strong military, spiritual and commercial history by bike or motorcycle.

Wonderful cycle paths, ideal for families, gently follow the course of the River Po. Hardened mountain bikers will prefer the banks of the Sesia. In winter, when the Alps are dressed in white, it’s time for great skiing! 1,350 km of slopes, 50 ski resorts and 300 ski lifts guarantee a thrill on the slopes, punctuated by gourmet delights: excellent cuisine in hotels and refuges alike. The pristine landscapes of the Ossola in particular are a veritable paradise for skiers, snowboarders and freeriders, but also for walkers, alone, with family or friends, in search of charm and mountain villages. Sledging, climbing, ice-climbing, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing… Piedmont has it all!

Getting there

TURIN CAN BE REACHED WITHOUT TAKING OFF:

-BYTRAIN, THANKS TO THE PARIS-MILAN TGV LINE. THE LINE ALSO SERVES CHAMBÉRY TO CONNECT WITH OTHER LINES, OR FROM NICE WITH A CONNECTION IN VENTIMIGLIA.

BY BUS, EITHER ON THE FLIXBUS PARIS-ROME OR BARCELONA-VENISE ROUTES, WHICH PROVIDE CONNECTIONS TO THE CITIES OF LYON, MONTPELLIER , GRENOBLE, NÎMES OR CHÂLONSUR-SAÔNE. OR THANKS TO THE BLABLABUS PARIS-TURIN LINES, WHICH PROVIDE CONNECTIONS TO LYON OR CHAMBÉRY AND PARIS-MIL AN.

For further information, visit VISITPIEMONTE.COM

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