Come and explore the western Pearl of the Alps: plan your holiday in Bardonecchia today!
A mountain town that combines the charm of the Western Alps with the comforts of the city, Bardonecchia is situated at the heart of the upper Susa Valley, less than 100 km from Turin, and is easily reached by car and train. An elite travel destination since the beginning of the twentieth century, it achieved its greatest fame when it hosted the snowboarding competitions of the 2006 Turin Winter Olympics. There are many reasons for choosing this resort, including the opportunity to practice a wide range of outdoor sports in the stunning scenery of the Alps, benefiting from outstanding facilities to suit all tastes and budgets. A full calendar of events and the many entertainment opportunities for young and old make Bardonecchia a popular tourist destination in both summer and winter.
Bardonecchia is 1300 metres above sea level, at the exact point of convergence of four valleys, which fan out from the town: Rochemolles, Frejus, Rho and Melezet (with the Valle Stretta). The town stands at the centre of a large amphitheatre, surrounded by majestic summits, many of which exceed 3000 metres in height and from which streams of pristine water flow. The old town of Bardonecchia consists of the so-called Borgovecchio, huddled around the Parish Church of St. Hippolytus. Much of the Borgovecchio has recently undergone environmental restoration work, with stone paving laid in many of the streets plus work to revamp the lighting and install new street furniture which has emphasised its historical value. The Parish Church of St. Hippolytus and San Giorgio is of great historical and cultural interest, both for the interior design and for the two beautiful bell towers (still perfectly preserved). The church square is overlooked by the Civic Museum, which contains an interesting ethnographic section with some priceless religious and other relics that record local rural life. On some of the streets in the Borgovecchio you’ll still see sundials on the walls of the oldest houses. The main ones are visible on Via Fiume, Via Pasubio, Via Herbarel and Piazza Suspize. Just above the town are the ruins of the Tur d’Amun, or what remains of the main tower of the ancient castle of the Lords of Bardonecchia, which probably dates back to the fifteenth century. From the Borgovecchio you can reach the hamlet of Les Arnauds after a pleasant walk along the canal, which starts from the Ponte delle Tre Croci (Bridge of the Three Crosses). From the old town, you can also access the Rho and Frejus valleys, following paths and trails, on foot, mountain bike or horseback, linking Bardonecchia to the French town of Modane.
Our holiday in Bardonecchia continues in Borgonuovo - established in the mid-nineteenth century at the time when work began to drill the Frejus tunnel - which is accessed from the central Via Medail, the dividing line between the past and present of Bardonecchia. From a tourist point of view, Borgonuovo is the heart of the town, with many shops, arcades, ice cream parlours, pastry shops and restaurants all along the pedestrian island. Via Medail continues into the so-called "Sottopasso” (underpass), which is also full of shops, bars, restaurants and other public establishments. The Grande Piazza del Sottopasso hosts market stalls every Saturday morning. Not far from here, towards Rochemolles, is the historic entrance of the Frejus railway tunnel, which leads to the hamlets of Rochemolles and Millaures. From the train station, walking along Viale della Vittoria, you’ll come to Bardonecchia's well-equipped sports facilities, which include the Campo Smith (home to the Ski Schools and the Colomion ski resort), the Palazzetto dello Sport, a swimming pool, children's playground and football fields.
Bardonecchia has been closely linked to the world of sport for over a century, thanks to the opening of the Frejus railway tunnel, which provided the opportunity to attract tourists all year round, allowing the town to host the twentieth Winter Olympic Games in February 2006. Thanks to its snowboard pistes and a Snow Park that is unique in Europe, including an Olympic half pipe, Bardonecchia has emerged as one of the most popular destinations among winter sports enthusiasts. During the winter, you can get your fill of adrenaline with Nordic skiing, hiking with snowshoes, ice climbing, ice skating and Winter Biking: winter mountain biking with studded tyres. The existing sports facilities allow you to enjoy sports such as swimming, football, volleyball, tennis, climbing and bowling in winter as well. Summer is the perfect season for climbing, especially on the Parete dei Militi in the Valle Stretta, and mountain biking, with the new Bike Park which offers around 400 km of trails. There is no lack of things to do and see, so take a look at our holiday packages in Bardonecchia and prepare to enjoy a new unforgettable adventure!
