The 11 things to do in Piedmont

You're crossing the Alps for the holidays? Then discover the 11 things to do in Piedmont!

Piedmont is a region of north-west Italy. Frontalière de la France, it is one of the most beautiful regions of Belpaese. In this ancient territory of the Kingdom of Savoy, there are a multitude of places to discover. From the Alps to the border with Lombardy, you will see different terrains and cities, all singular. Finally, Piedmont is the region from which the Risorgimento left. Turin was even the first capital of Italy.

So, ready to go? Discover our mini-guide on the 11 essential things to do in the Piedmont!

1. Turin

Turin is the capital of Piedmont and its most populous city, with 900,000 inhabitants. It was, in the past, the capital of the Savoy States. The city enjoys a reputation as an industrial city in France. If it has a real industrial baggage, Torino (Italian) is yet a beautiful city not to be missed when visiting the Piedmont. Its history, shared between France, Savoie and Italy, gave it a unique architectural mix.

In terms of visits, you will be served. Don't miss the Piazza Castello and its Palazzo Reale, go to admire the panorama of the Mole Antonelliana.

2. Cuneo and Ostana

Cuneo, also known as Coni (in French and in French) is a city located near the Parc Naturel des Alpes Maritimes. In particular, the city is renowned for the organization of its old town, which follows a plan of departure.

But if Cuneo is one of the must-sees in Piedmont, it is also for its surroundings. Indeed, all around Cuneo, there are beautiful villages that are worth a visit. The most beautiful of them remains Ostana, a charming typical occitan village. Admire the stone houses and enjoy the views of the valley and the Alps.

3. The Natural Park of the Grand Bosco di Salbertrand

Let's stay in the Alps, but let's get back to the north, on the side of the Grand Bosco di Salbertrand Natural Park. The place is perfect to relax in the heart of nature. The opportunity to hike or outdoor activities, such as cannyoning. The park houses more than 21 animal species and 600 different plant species.

For skiers, go to Bardonnechia or Oulx, which are the best winter sports resorts in Piedmont.

4. Rivoli

If you come to visit the Piedmont, you will necessarily go through Turin. Enjoy it also to make a stop in the Turin suburbs. Rivoli is one of the best examples to do. This town, 15 kilometres west of Turin, was an important place in the Middle Ages. This explains the presence of the Château de Rivoli, built in the 9th century and now houses the Museum of Contemporary Art.

Then continue in the upper city, the Borgo Uriola , to walk in the middle of beautiful colorful and flowery houses.

5. Venaria

Also in the Turin suburbs, Venaria is one of the must-sees to make Piedmont. The city is known to host Venaria Reale, a former residence of the family of Savoie. The Royal Palace is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The peculiarity of the palace is to be one of the largest in the world. Here, enlargements were made, the façade being today dressed in two different styles.

Next to the palace, visit the chapel of Saint-Hubert, built in the early 18th century.

6. Lake Maggiore

Impossible to visit the Piedmont without making a passage to Lake Maggiore, one of the largest lakes in Italy, but also one of the largest (the lake with an area of 212 km2). It should be noted that part of a lake is also in Switzerland, with which the Piedmont is bordering north. It is therefore the opportunity to cross the border for a few hours.

However, it is its most popular Italian part. It is also the natural border between Piedmont and the Lombardy . On the shore of the lake, there are plenty of beautiful cities to visit, such as Stresa, Cannobio or Arona. But the true tourist attraction is constituted by the islands of the lake: the Borromean Islands and the Brissago Islands. .

7. Novara and Orta San Giulio

Since you are around, take the time to discover another must-see in the Piedmont. It is a lake, smaller than others. His name? Lake Orta. Located only a few kilometers from Lake Maggiore, it is worth a visit to the city that gave it its name, Orta San Giulio. Discover the lake from the village and its picturesque streets.

The village is part of Novara province, which is also worth visiting. It is the second most populous city in the region. Don’t miss the San Gaudenzio Basilica, the city’s highest point, and its 121-metre high dome that really is worth a look.

8. Asti

Another place to visit in Piedmont, Asti. The town is halfway between Turin and Alessandria. His reputation is due to the Asti Spumante, the famous sparkling wines. Made in the city, they have the Denomination of Origin Controlled and Protected (DOCG). The city of Montferrat also produces these great wines, and some of the vineyards are listed on the UNESCO world heritage. Perfect for a gourmet trip. Accompany the tasting with the ravioli of the region: the Agnolotti.

Asti is also known for her palio , a race of ancestral horses, taking the same principle as to Siena .

Finally, the most famous monument in the city is its medieval fortifications, whose northwest area is still on foot. A testimony of one of the fastest epochs in the commune.

9. Verceil

Verceil, or Vercelli is a town south of Lake Maggiore, along the Sesa River. The city has been inhabited since Antiquity by the Romans, and this is reflected in the presence of hippic amphitheatre and sarcophages. It is also in Verceil that the world’s first university has been publicly funded. A university still active.

Also think of seeing the two main places of worship. First of all, Saint-Eusèbe Cathedral, built in the Middle Ages, in which the graves of some members of the Savoy family rest. Then the Basilica of Saint-André and its Gothic architecture, built with several types of stones typically pedestrians: the green stone of Pralungo, the Calcarenite of Montferrat and the serpentine of Oria.

Finally, Verceil is also the capital of the pedestrian rice and therefore one of the strong places of Italian rice growing. The province is full of rice fields where pedestrian rice is produced, the recipient of the Protected Origin Denomination (DOP).

10. The National Park of Val Grande

Back to nature with one of Europe’s largest natural parks: the Val Grande. Situated on almost 15,000 hectares, this park is a must-see in Piedmont. Located near the Swiss border and close to Lake Como , it is one of the best transalpine places in trekking. A baunt for amateurs and amateurs of discipline.

11. Alessandrie

Last place to do in Piedmont, Alessandrie. Located near Asti, it is also worth a visit! His fame was born during the Renaissance: at that time Alessandria was considered one of the most important cities in Italy. A few centuries later, she knew the rise of the miracolo economico thanks to its central position in the famous industrial triangle Turin-Milan-Gênes.

During your visit to Alessandrie, you must visit the Dôme, built on the orders of Napoleon. The opportunity to admire the emblem of the city, the campanile. Also note on the façade, the presence of statues to the effigy of Jesus and his four evangelists.

Another unmistakable place, the Citadel, a fortress built on the remains of Bergoglio, a former medieval quarter. Here too, Napoleon wished to leave his mark since he ordered the enlargement and consolidation of the monument.

How do you get to Piedmont?

If you come to visit the Piedmont, you can go there:

• By car: If you live in the South-East quarter of France, this solution is the most convenient. Go through the Fréjus tunnel or Gap.
• By plane: It is possible to reach Turin from Roissy Charles de Gaulle Airport. To find the best offer, do not hesitate to call a flight comparison, as Ulysses.
• By train: a line Paris Gare de Lyon – Milano Centrale passes by one of the two stations in Turin. Correspondence is possible in Lyon and Chambéry.
• By bus: Flixbus and Blablabus companies offer several lines serving Turin, such as the Barcelona-Venise or Paris-Milan line.

Where to stay in the Piedmont?

To stay during your stay in Piedmont, you will have to choose one or more cities. If the list of possibilities is long, several of them have an advantage:

• Turin, which by its importance allows perfect mobility throughout the region;
• Asti, which is located on the motorway axis between Asti and Alessandria, allowing a geographical compromise;
• Alessandrie, who will have your favors if you go to visit Lake Maggiore and Lake Orta.
• **Rivoli**located in the suburbs of Turin. This allows you to enjoy the mobility of the capital pedestrian while offering a better value for money.

In your research, think of using a Compare hotels to find the offer that best matches you.

You now have all the keys to visit the Piedmont. Just leave! Tell us your comments!