Gressoney-Saint-Jean

In the heart of the Lys Valley, in the wild beauty of the Aosta Valley, lies Gressoney-Saint-Jean, an elegant alpine village nestled at 1385 meters above sea level at the foot of the Monte Rosa massif. This place, where time seems to flow according to the rhythm of nature and the seasons, embodies the perfect balance of culture, landscape and millennia-old traditions. Together with nearby Gressoney-La-Trinité, it forms the ancient Walser settlement of Gressoney, known in the local language as Greschòney, and represents a cultural, linguistic and historical unicum in the Italian Alps.

A unique cultural heritage: the Walsers

Gressoney is a trilingual community where Italian, French and German are spoken, but what makes it truly special is the Walser language, Titsch, an Alemannic dialect spoken for centuries and still taught, studied and protected by the Walser Cultural Center. The Walser are a population of Germanic origin who settled in this valley in the 13th century after crossing the Teodulo Pass. Their traditions, original architecture with characteristic stadel, and folkloric dress are alive and prominent in daily life and local celebrations.

Holiday village between history and nature

A beloved destination since the 19th century, Gressoney-Saint-Jean was chosen by Queen Margaret of Savoy as her summer residence. Her love of the mountains led to the construction of the iconic Savoy Castle, nestled in a larch forest and open to visitors today, with its noble halls and alpine botanical garden. It was the queen herself who helped make this resort famous, now awarded the Italian Touring Club's Orange Flag for tourism excellence.

What to see

- Savoia Castle: a neo-Gothic masterpiece and symbol of Gressoney, it is surrounded by a beautiful alpine botanical garden.

-Church of St. John the Baptist: houses a rich treasure museum and a valuable 14th-century crucifix.

-Village of Alpenzu: a natural balcony over the valley, it is one of the most charming Walser settlements with stone and wood buildings.

-Alpenfaunamuseum Beck-Peccoz: nature and history museum with collections of trophies, weapons and memorabilia belonging to a historic Gressoney family.

Nature and outdoor activities

In summer, Gressoney is a hiker's paradise: the Valley of the Princes, the Loo Valley, and the Ranzola Pass are just some of the ideal destinations for walks and hikes of all levels. Routes also start from here to climb to the peaks of Monte Rosa and reach the Regina Margherita Hut, Europe's highest refuge at 4556 meters.

In winter, Gressoney is at the center of the Monterosa Ski ski area, with more than 100 kilometers (62 miles) of slopes winding through three valleys. The resort also boasts the spectacular "Leonardo David" black slope at Weissmatten, which can also be skied at night, cross-country ski trails and facilities dedicated to freeriding, fun slope and snowpark.

Traditions and events

-Fest of St. John the Baptist: religious celebration with a parade in Walser costumes, at one of the most evocative times of the year.

-Bierfest: tribute to Kühbacher beer, a symbol of the link between Gressoney and the Beck-Peccoz family.

-Toma Feast: dedicated to the famous local cheese, a Slow Food presidium.

-Gressoney Music Summer: prestigious classical music festival featuring international artists.

Families and children

Gressoney-Saint-Jean is also designed for the little ones. In summer, Lake Gover offers a playground, entertainment and sport fishing; in winter, the lake turns into a skating rink, while the Weissmatten baby snowpark welcomes children and families with fun activities on the snow.

Gressoney is an authentic destination, where the mountain is experienced in its purest dimension, amid unspoiled nature, genuine hospitality, and an extraordinary alpine culture, capable of thrilling and telling a centuries-old story through every path, stone house, or word in Titsch. A place that is not just visited, but deeply experienced.