Val di Gressoney

Val di Gressoney is a valley in the Valle d'Aosta region nestled in the Alps, home to two main villages: Gressoney-Saint-Jean at about 1385 meters and Gressoney-La-Trinité at about 1627 meters. The Lys river valley is framed by tall mountains like Lyskamm and Piramide Vincent, showing rocky terrain and patches of snow in winter.

The valley was settled over 800 years ago by the Walser, a community of Germanic descent who built lives on the mountain slopes and developed their culture there. In the early 1900s, it became known through Queen Margherita of Savoy, who stayed here and built a castle, attracting wealthy and noble families.

The valley has been home to the Walser people for over 800 years, a community of German origin whose culture shows in traditional wooden houses with steep roofs. Their language called Titsch and their customs shape the villages today and are preserved in local museums.

The best starting point is Gressoney-Saint-Jean, the larger of the two villages with shops, cafes, and places to stay in the center. Both villages are linked by walking paths, and there are small museums showing the region's history as well as a lake for visiting.

The place was closely tied to Queen Margherita of Savoy, who had a castle built in the area, showing how the royal fondness for it turned it into a tourist destination. This connection to royalty draws visitors interested in the region's past.