Overview

The Pearl of the Alps, at the gateway to Gran Paradiso

Cogne lies at the gateway to the Gran Paradiso National Park in the Aosta Valley, surrounded by the peaks of Gran Paradiso, Roc, Cresta Gastaldi, Becca di Montandayné and Herbetetet. The landscape is an uninterrupted expanse of forests, meadows, steep rock faces and glittering glaciers.

Nicknamed the Pearl of the Alps, the village is surrounded by the vast Prato dell’Orso mountain meadow. We recommend visiting the 17th-century Church of Sant’Orso and the Clock House, known as Casa Grappein. Nearby stands the Royal Castle, formerly a bishop’s palace later converted into the King’s hunting lodge.

You can learn about the tradition of bobbin lacemaking at the Maison de Pitz. In the upper part of the village, you can visit the Maison de Cogne Gerard-Dayné to discover Alpine culture. Don’t miss a visit to the historic iron mines, now open to the public.

The village is surrounded by 80 kilometres of skiing pistes, 12 loop trails and small, magical hamlets, including Epinel, Valnontey, Lillaz with its waterfalls and the scenic Gimillan. In September in Cogne, the Devétéya brings the whole village to life to celebrate the return of the herds from the alpine pastures.

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