Overlooking Lac du Bourget amid the green hills of Savoie, Hautecombe Abbey is a true architectural jewel. Founded in the 12th century by Cistercian monks, it was chosen for its isolated and contemplative location. Its history blends faith, art and dynasties: it became the mausoleum of the House of Savoy, welcoming sovereigns, saints and even two…
At the foot of Mont Cenis, the Abbey of Novalesa, founded in 726, is one of Europe's oldest jewels. A crossroads of peoples, armies and pilgrims, it soon became a spiritual beacon for the Alpine arc. Over the centuries it has intertwined its history with the House of Savoy: during the Saracen raids, the monks found refuge in Turin and later, in th…
Pollenzo, a charming village in the heart of the Langhe and Roero, surprises with its timeless charm and unique atmosphere. The transformation of this place is linked to the vision of King Charles Albert who, in 1833, sensed its agricultural potential and turned it into a model winery. Among lush vineyards and historic cellars, innovative winemaki…
Aime, in the heart of the Tarentaise valley, is a picturesque town surrounded by greenery, characterized by a sunny landscape and gentle slopes. With a history dating back to the dawn of civilization, it was a strategic crossing point for the Savoyards, attracted by its privileged location and access to the surrounding valleys. Today, Aime is a vi…
Located among the majestic French Alps, Albertville is a city that combines the charm of tradition with the energy of modernity. Founded in 1835 at the behest of King Charles Albert of Savoy, it was born from the merger of Conflans, L'Hôpital, and Saint-Sigismond. This meeting of past and future has created a dynamic city, known worldwide for host…
In Caramagna Piemonte, the Arciconfraternita del Santissimo Crocifisso (Archconfraternity of the Holy Crucifix) took shape around the church of Santa Croce, started in 1668 by the Disciplinants. Built next to Porta Nuova and designed by Francesco Lanfranchi, the church was part of the religious fervour of Savoy Piedmont, also supported by the devo…
Aussois, a charming village in Savoie, is situated at an altitude of 1,500 meters on a plateau in the Maurienne valley, at the gateway to the Vanoise National Park. Its strategic location between France and Italy has made it a key control point over the centuries, especially for the Savoy dynasty. In the 19th century, to protect the kingdom from p…
Avrieux, in the heart of the Maurienne Valley, is a charming village in Savoie, nicknamed the "little Nice" for its mountainous-Mediterranean climate. Located at the gateway to the Vanoise National Park, the village is framed by a spectacular rocky amphitheater, with the barrier of the Esseillon forts to the east and the Saint Benoît waterfall to…
Vineyard-embroidered hillsides that seamlessly embrace one another. Plays of light and shadow, of mists and fogs that blend like the colors of a pictorial palette. Here rises, on a low plateau to which the place name itself (from the Celtic "bas reul," low place) would seem to refer, the commune of Barolo, landscape fulcrum of those Langhe UNESCO…
On the hill of Superga, overlooking Turin and the Alps, stands the majestic basilica commissioned by Victor Amadeus II of Savoy in 1706 as a vow for the city's liberation from the French siege. A monument of faith and triumph, it became a symbol of Savoyan power: visible from across the plain, it aligns scenically with the grand royal residences,…
The King's Wood is the fascinating monumental park surrounding the Royal Castle of Moncalieri, a treasure chest of nature and beauty just a stone's throw from Turin. Unlike the gardens of many historic mansions, this park is spread out in height, among panoramic terraces and reliefs that offer breathtaking views of the Turin plain. Stretching over…
Located at the foot of the Roero and surrounded by fortresses, vineyards and castles, Bra has always been a crossroads of history and culture. With Neolithic origins and an evolutionary path marked first by the Roman empire and then by the Savoy dynasty, the city is a baroque jewel that amazes and engages, on which the flame of knowledge and flavo…
In the heart of Turin, between the Royal Palace and the Cathedral, the Chapel of the Shroud is one of the absolute masterpieces of European Baroque. Commissioned by the Savoy family to house the Holy Shroud, a relic that came into their hands in 1453 and symbol of their dynastic prestige, it represents the deep link between faith and power in Savo…
In the heart of the spa town of Aix-les-Bains stands the elegant Grand-Cercle Casino, emblem of the Alpine Belle Époque. Built starting in 1847 and inaugurated in 1850 by King Victor Emmanuel II, the Casino was created to attract the international elite to the famous thermal waters at a time when Savoy was still part of the Kingdom of Sardinia. De…
Among the woods of the Valle del Lys, in Gressoney-Saint-Jean, Castel Savoia emerges as an enchanting residence suspended between history and legend, with its white turrets dominating the panorama of Monte Rosa. Built at the end of the 19th century as the summer residence of Queen Margherita, the castle became a symbol of Savoy taste and elegance,…
Chambéry Castle is an authentic journey into the heart of Savoy history, a place that fascinates and enchants. An ancient fortified castle dating back to the 11th century, it was the main residence of the Counts of Savoy and later housed the administration of the States of Savoy until 1563. The castle chapel housed the Holy Shroud from 1502 to 157…
The Castle of Fossano, an imposing medieval fortress, dominates the town with its elegant square structure and angular towers. Built between 1324 and 1332 at the behest of Philip I of Acaja, it was founded as a defensive garrison and was transformed by the Savoy into a refined Savoy residence. It housed prominent figures such as Bona of Savoy and…
Overlooking the Po River and nestled in the greenery of Valentino Park, the castle of the same name is one of Turin's most fascinating Savoy residences. Purchased by Emanuele Filiberto in 1564 to strengthen strategic control over the surroundings of the new capital, it became in the 17th century the sumptuous home of Christina of France, who trans…
Standing supreme over the city of Susa, Countess Adelaide's Castle is a place steeped in history, strategically crucial for the control of the Western Alps. The power of the Savoy family was born here, thanks to the marriage between Adelaide and Oddone, son of Umberto Biancamano: a union that gave rise to the Savoy dynasty. A noble residence, the…
Enveloped by the majestic backdrop of the Cottian Alps and watched over by the proud gaze of Monviso, Manta Castle holds one of Europe's most extraordinary late Gothic painting cycles, inspired by the themes of chivalric novels. Founded as a military outpost in the 13th century, the castle was transformed in the 15th century into a sumptuous noble…
