Pre-Saint-Didier, the Forgotten Gem of the Italian Alps.

Pre-Saint-Didier, the Forgotten Gem of the Italian Alps.

Spring has sprung in the Val D’Aosta, Northern Italy. Our first rafting guests for 2016 have arrived in Pre-Saint-Didier and the Dora Baltea, our beloved river rises each day as the snow melts further up the Mont Blanc glacier. A variety of flowers have already blossomed in the valley, giving incredible visual contrasts with the rugged alpine, still gorged with snow.

Hiking above Pre Saint Didier. Photo: Aurelien Sudan

Pre Saint Didier, tiny Italian village deep in the mountains. Photo: Aurelien Sudan

While most folks with a passion for the mountains know of Chamonix, Courmayeur, Mont Blanc and the Val d’Aosta, few have heard of the village of Pre-Saint-Didier. The Val D’Aosta flocks with tourists over the summer period, but Pre-Saint-Didier remains a place of transit, that few chose to stopover and visit. Yet, this old alpine village, with a direct view over Mont Blanc and the Grandes Jorasses is full of charm. Worth a visit. Or maybe even three. In need of adrenaline? Come here for rafting or a tandem paragliding flight. Got a sore back? Relax peacefully in the pristine Terme of Pre-Saint-Didier, or come here for a Yoga class. With a population lesser than 1,000 residents, all the locals know each other. Many even still drive the iconic Fiat Panda 4×4, legend from another time. Aside of the church bells which ring every 15 minutes, everyone’s clock seem to have stopped ticking a long time ago in this ancient alpine village. Local development has come to a stall, giving greater personality to this remote location. We invite you to discover below some of the local landmarks of Pre-Saint-Didier and the Val d’Aosta.

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Old Castles and ruins abound the region of the Val D’Aosta.

Dropping into one of our secret rafting spots. Photo: Aurelien Sudan

Dropping into one of our secret rafting spots. Photo: Aurelien Sudan

Mont Blanc, the highest summit of the Alps is a stonethrow away from Pre-Saint-Didier. Photo: Aurelien Sudan

Mont Blanc, the highest summit of the Alps is a stonethrow away from Pre-Saint-Didier. Photo: Aurelien Sudan

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Chasing Waterfalls to kill the valley heat. Photo: Aurelien Sudan

Waterfalls. Everywhere. Photo: Aurelien Sudan

More Waterfalls. Photo: Aurelien Sudan

Picture perfect. Getting into a rapid with Mont Blanc as a background.

Picture perfect. Getting into a rapid with Mont Blanc as a background. Photo: Aitor Arce