Taking the State road direction Turin at only 27 km you meet Saint-Vincent . A first
stop should be made at the Roman bridge and then at the Parish church with its nice
crypt with carved capitals from 11thcent. and its museum containing wooden sculptures
and various religious objects. In Saint-Vincent is also worth strolling in the lively
pedestrian area full of small shops.
The "Fons Salutis" still issues its bicarbonate-sodic
water considered miraculous to treat liver and cholecyst diseases (open from May to October).
Nowadays Saint-Vincent is famous for its Casino, also offering some remarkable cultural
events (cinema and journalism awards) and for its Congress center, the biggest in the region.
Chatillon
From Saint-Vincent you can reach Chatillon (3km) and turning right into the Valtournenche
valley taking the road that leads to Breuil-Cervinia (27 km), one of the most important
mountain resorts in Europe you meet first Antey-Saint-Andre (1074m) from where you can
enjoy a magnificent view of the Matterhorn.
Here you can find the remains of the acqueduct
“Rus du pan perdu” with its imposing arches against the mountain. The Parish church is
very beautiful and ancient and it was subject to many transformations during the centuries.
The bell-tower is isolated from the church and according to tradition it was once the
ancient keep of a manor house mentioned in some documents of the 15th century.
From the village you will find 2 roads leading respectively to Torgnon on the right hand
side and to La Magdeleine on the opposite side.
Torgnon is a well-known family resort in a very sunny position, surrounded by forests
and green meadows.
The road goes on through the San Pantaleone Pass offering a spectacular
view over the central valley and leading to Nus surrounded by vineyards where the famous
white wine Malvoisie is produced.
La Magdeleine, a peaceful village with pastures ad flowers all around where you can
enjoy relaxing walks. It is very interesting “the trail of the mills” that links eight
recently restored mills built along the same stream.
They were once used to grind cereals
(barley, oat, wheat), whose production was very rich in this village. The meal was then
used to bake the typical all-bran bread in the four ovens of the village .
Chamois at 1815m can be reached only on foot or by cable car from the hamlet of Buisson,
very close to Antey-Saint-Andre. Nice traditional village with wooden houses and a small
lake where you can fish. Plenty of opportunities for hiking, mountain biking and hang
gliding.
Going up the valley you reach Valtournenche a well-known tourist resort consisting of
several villages where some of the famous Matterhorn guides used to live.
Nearby it's
worth visiting the Gouffre des Busserailles, a fissure in the rock dating from the ice
age shaped by the water and the glaciers of the Matterhorn which in far-off times
submerged the valley.
Going on, you can see a waterfall 35 m high.
8km further on is Breuil-Cervinia, one of the most important summer and winter resorts
of the Alps.
Just at the foot of the majestic Matterhorn starting point for excursions
to the surrounding peaks.
Plateau Rosa
Not to be missed the excursion to Plateau Rosa glacier that
can be reached by modern cable-cars leading to one of the higher and most spectacular
summer and winter ski slopes in the Alps.
Wear comfortable warm clothing if you go to the Plateau Rosa, as the cable
car reaches the height of over 3,400 meters and you are surrounded by
glaciers.
Just before the village is the wonderful Blue Lake reflecting the image of the Matterhorn.
