Thermal Baths at the Foot of Mont Blanc
Some incredibly amazing natural hot springs in Italy are situated near the majestic Mont Blanc mountain. These hot springs are located in Pré-Saint-Didier and I often go there to unwind and rejuvenate
.As a great lover of thermal baths, I have come to appreciate the many benefits that they offer. Not only are they an excellent way to relax and unwind, but they also have healing properties that can help to improve one's overall health and well-being. Whether you are looking to soothe sore muscles, relieve stress, or simply enjoy some time in a peaceful and serene environment, the thermal baths offer something for everyone. In this article, I will tell you about a very popular thermal complex I visited a year ago.
Read my other article about this part of Aosta Valley Discover the Most Awe-Inspiring Waterfall in Valle D'Aosta, Italy
When I moved to Biella I looked for the possibilities to have my favorite relaxation mode and visited some thermal baths in Lombardia and Valle d'Aosta. One of my pupils (I’m a Russian Language teacher) knows about my ardent love for thermal baths and told me about this marvelous place. Well, I had to go there… My cousin came to visit me, and we left in the direction of Mont Blanc.
I don't travel by highways normally — the normal roads are good there and there is a possibility to visit shops of small producers and agritourism. They have excellent food, natural and genuine. And only a few of them sell their products outside the region. So, I visit these shops and take all I can purchase in my home. Furthermore, the highway is the most expensive in Italy there.
We went to Pré-Saint-Didier too early, the baths were still closed, and we took a little walk next to a spectacular river. It is possible to leave the car in the parking lot there and get to the spa on foot.
Near the spa, there is a large parking lot. It wasn't crowded that day. But we made a big mistake:
we had to book our stay in advance from their site (the links are at the bottom of the article). Once we got there we still had to make this reservation online to get the ticket.
The minimum stay in the spa area is 5 hours (there are also offers with hotel accommodation). During this time it is possible to visit all the swimming pools, saunas etc. several times and sunbathe on the deck chairs on the lawn. For this reason, it is very important to come when the weather is good and sunny. There are swimming pools, and showers also indoors but for 5 hours they are a bit short I would say.
The area is rich in thermal waters and there are two plants managed by the same company, but we have only stayed in Pré-Saint-Didier which is supposed to be bigger than the second baths. ;-)
These thermal waters have a long history of therapeutic use, dating back to ancient Roman times. The mineral-rich water, containing essential elements such as calcium, magnesium, and sulfur is thought to benefit the skin, joints, and respiratory system. My cousin and I can confirm that it’s so. We came out refreshed, pain-free, and really in a great mood.
The water emerges from a natural source at an altitude of 1700 meters, flowing at a temperature between 34 °C (93.2 °F) and 37 °C (98.6 °F). The water's purity is entirely natural, and it has a slightly alkaline pH. (official sources)
After 5 hours it was still too early to return home, and we decided to visit the panoramic walkway, a platform hanging on the mountain just above the thermal area.
They say that a little lower than the new footbridge there was a path that allowed you to reach the Gola dell'Orrido at the foot of Mont Crammont and the cave where the thermal springs of Pré-Saint-Didier. Due to landslides on the slopes above the path would not be safe so they created a new path and the walkway in the air.
The departure from Pré-Saint-Didier on foot is from 1029 m above sea level and reaches a height of 1209. The height difference is 180 m. Interesting is that the fences along the route are made of chestnut.
There are about ten hairpin bends to get to that place in a car. After leaving the car in the parking lot, there is a short walk on a road that does not present any difficulties. You don’t need special shoes or a walking stick, but the road is unpaved and therefore better to have shoes that can get dirty.
On our way back we visited some grocery stores and I recommend these places.
If you want to visit a trout fish farm: Troticoltura Morgex di Ivan Spatari, Rue du Mont Blanc, 35, 11017 Morgex AO
If you prefer natural products grown and worked near Pré-Saint-Didier visit Cofruits. They have some shops there, I like Cofruits in Località Cognein, 6, 11020 Saint-Pierre AO. It’s near the road ss26, on my way home, and there is good parking near the shop. There are fantastic castles in Saint-Pierre, too. I’ll tell you about them next time.
Here are some links for more information:
Pré-Saint-Didier Spa:
https://www.termedipre.it/en/TripAdvisor page:
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g194924-d2150509-Reviews-Terme_di_Pre_Saint_Didier-Pre_Saint_Didier_Valle_d_Aosta.htmlLonely Planet guide:
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/italy/pre-saint-didier/attractions/terme-di-pre-saint-didier/a/poi-sig/1598749/359975Article on the therapeutic properties of thermal waters of Pré-Saint-Didier:
https://www.termedipre.it/en/the-thermal-waters/therapeutic-properties/Cofruits
https://cofruits.it/