Courmayeur is an Italian town and commune in the autonomous region of Aosta Valley, in northern Italy. It is located at the foot of Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in western Europe, in the Graian Alps range, and is crossed by the Dora Baltea.
Courmayeur’s picturesque mountain scenery and healthy mountain air make it an attractive destination year round. It is one of Europe’s most famous ski locations, and contains the Giardino Botanico Alpino Saussurea, which describes itself as Europe's highest botanical garden. In the summer months Courmayeur is a popular destination for hikers.
Courmayeur is well connected to north-western Italy (220km from Milan). The Mont Blanc Tunnel links the region to France. (Lyon is less than 200km away and can be reached in a few hours and Geneva,Switzerland, is only 180km.
Dolonne, a sister-town of Courmayeur, has many residential areas and hotels, as well as a large sports centre. It is connected to Courmayeur by a bridge that straddles a tributary flowing from Mont Blanc.
The Parish of St Nicolas rests like a balcony on the side of Valle D'Aosta consisting of 13 hamlets and overlooking the four main lateral valleys, Savaranche, Grisenche, Cogne and Valle De Rheims (the Valley of the Queen).
Another mountain that surrounds Courmayeur is Mont Chetif. It is a hiker-friendly mountain with a statue of the Virgin Mary at the summit overlooking the town. It can be seen from practically anywhere in Courmayeur.
Tuesday 18 November 2008
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