Courmayeur is an Italian town in the Aosta Valley and a renowned winter and summer tourist resort in the Alps, and the last Italian town before entering France. Its territory boasts the presence of the highest peak in the Alps, Mont Blanc. Being at more than a thousand meters above sea level, its climate is mainly alpine with short and cool summers and rigid and snowy winters. It is in fact one of the chosen destinations for lovers of snow sports , its peaks reachable through long paths are an unparalleled spectacle both in summer and winter, they are also visible from the city center which gives an atmosphere of other times.
In one day in Courmayeur it is possible to visit the main attractions, even if it is a place that deserves to be experienced even more. Let’s find out the Courmayeur guide : what to see, where to eat and what to do in the evening.
What to see in Courmayeur
1 – Church of San Pantaleone
Main place of Catholic worship in Courmayeur, the church of San Pantaleone dates back to 1700 and its external facade is recognizable thanks to a staircase that culminates at the church door. This parish is a quiet and collected place that invites you to pray, from the square in front you can admire the wonderful goose bumps landscape.
Inside it is possible to see a polychrome glass windowdepicting San Pantaleone, and then several altars dedicated to the Madonna del Rosario, San Giuseppe, Santa Rita and the Sacred Heart of Jesus. In addition there is also a pipe organ.
- How to get there: in Piazza Abbe Henry, Courmayeur’s main square and within walking distance – Get directions
- Hours: every day 9: 00-19: 30
- Ticket cost: free
2 – Sanctuary of Notre-Dame de Guerison
Photo by Tiia Monto. This sanctuary is located at the beginning of Val Veny, and is one of the most important in the entire Valle d’Aosta region.
In the winter the church is unreachable , so you can only visit it if you plan your trip to Courmayeur in the summer. The view from here is to leave you breathless, and a strategic point to be able to admire the whole of the Mont Blanc massif.
Inside the sanctuary you can see many ex votos, especially concerning hikers and mountaineers who have escaped the danger during the attempts to climb Mont Blanc or crossing the passes.
- How to get there: it is located at the foot of a glacier, in the locality of Val Veny, and can be reached by car or by a long walk for the more sporty – Get directions
- Hours: reachable only in the summer months, from July to September, open every day from 9:00 to 18:00
- Ticket cost: free
3 – Monte Chetif
Photo of Tiia Monto. It is the mountain of the Grande Sassiere and Rutor Alps overlooking Courmayeur to the west, and its name in French means “thin mountain”. It is a suitable destination for lovers of hiking and climbing , and in fact accessible via numerous paths that start from Plan Checrouit and Pre de Pascal, or via a via ferrata which is accessed near Courba Dzeleuna.
From the top of Mount Chetif you can enjoy a wonderful panorama up to the municipality of Pres-Saint-Didier, which will make you forget all the effort made.
- How to get there: just 10 km from Courmayeur, it is part of the Alps and can be reached via a via ferrata and many paths – Get directions
- Hours: always accessible
- Ticket cost: free
4 – Saussurea Alpine Botanical Garden
Photo by Jerzy Opiola. It is the highest alpine garden in Europe and is located right in Italy, in the municipality of Courmayeur and was founded in 1984. With its 7 thousand square meters it welcomes the alpine flora of Mont Blanc.
It is the perfect place for mountain and botany lovers, with the wide variety of plants present from all over the world . The garden is structured in two parts, on one there are the natural environments and on the other the artificial rocks with the species divided by geographical origin.
- How to get there: it is located on the Pavillon du Mont Frety and can be reached by the Glaciers Cableway, or on foot with the path 20 from La Palud – Get directions
- Hours: open only from June to September 9: 00-17: 00
- Ticket price: € 3.00 full, € 2.00 reduced
5 – Dolonne
Photo of Tiia Monto. Dolonne is a characteristic Valle d’Aosta village located in the municipality of Courmayeur, exactly at the foot of Monte Chetif. The name Dolonne has a curious history behind it, it has Latin origin and comes from the verb “dolere”, the village stood in an area close to the mines where the labor was represented by slaves and therefore the name probably refers to the suffering of the latter .
Today Dolonne is an important tourist center which retains the typical rural village air, in fact, you will be able to see ancient artifacts such as squares, wash houses, fountains and covered wooden passages characteristic of the place. It is possible to enjoy a breathtaking view already by crossing the bridge to reach the location, surrounded by mountains and greenery.
- How to get there: from the center of Courmayeur it is possible to reach the village of Dolonne on foot, it is just over 600 meters away – Get directions
- Hours: always accessible
- Ticket cost: free
6 – Val Veny
Val Veny is an alpine valley located west of Courmayeur, at the foot of the Mont Blanc massif. It is a very quiet place where you can go for walks and excursions. There are also large car parks and benches where you can sit and rest while admiring the highest peaks of the Alps.
This place is perfect for those who love the mountains , even for those who are not very expert in long walks, the path is very easy to all and to facilitate hiking activities there are numerous shelters and bivouacs. Val Veny was also the site of the Rockin’1000 musical event in 2017, and every year on the first weekend of July the main events of the Celtica Festival take place.
- How to get there: the valley can be reached by car, starting from the Sanctuary of Notre-Dame de Guerison crossing Via Val Veny (about 10 min); and on foot starting comfortably from Camping Aiguille-Noire (about 15 min) – Get directions)
- Hours: always accessible
- Ticket cost: free
7 – Skyway Monte Bianco
Photo by SteGrifo27. Skyway Monte Bianco is a cable car that will take you to 3,466 meters high , but not only that, it is a unique experience that almost makes you touch the sky and go beyond the boundaries with your thoughts. The hanging cabin rotates on itself to give everyone inside a breathtaking view of the ascent, even when the cabin is crowded.
Today it comprises three stations, from the 1-300 meters of Courmayeur – The Valley you arrive at an altitude of 2,173 meters of the Pavillon – The Mountain. And from here you get to the last peak of Punta Helbronner – The Sky at more than 3,000 meters. Traveling in the cabin, to the final destination, you will see from the Torino Refuge to the highest bookshop in Europe to restaurants with unparalleled views.
- How to get there: it is located 3 km from the center of Courmayeur and can be reached by car along the SS26 using the covered parking available – Get directions
- Hours: every day 8: 30-16: 30
- Ticket price: € 52.00 round trip Courmayeur – Punta Helbronner, € 28.00 round trip Courmayeur – Pavillon
8 – Duca Degli Abruzzi
Alpine Museum The Alpine Museum will show you a roundup of relics from the past of alpine guides , not everyone knows that they have not only worked in the Alps but also in all continents and in very difficult situations.
On the ground floor of this museum the booklets of deceased guides are exhibited, while the books of the shelters on which the climbers marked their passage are collected in a display case. Then there are the boots used by Queen Margaret in the expedition to Spitzbergen in 1904 with which she reached the summit, and objects brought back from various expeditions to Africa, the Himalayas, Tibet and India. And much more including photographs, documents and mountaineering equipment in two floors of exhibitions.
- How to get there: the museum is located in Strada Del Villair a short distance from the historic center, within walking distance – Get directions
- Hours: May, June, September, October, November Tuesday-Sun 8: 30-12: 30 and 16: 00-18: 00; from 1 July to 31 August every day 8: 30-12: 30 and 16: 00-19: 00; from 1 December to 30 April 8: 30-13: 00 and 16: 00-19: 00
- Ticket price: € 5.00 full, € 3.00 reduced
9 – Bollino
Park The Bollino Park is a municipal park in the center of the town of Courmayeur, located right next to the Town Hall. It is the typical park in which to enjoy a moment of relaxation, but from here the view is far from typical, the peaks are clearly visible despite the presence of tall trees.
It is also ideal for bringing children and spending a few hours of leisure, there is in fact a playground that is difficult to find around Courmayeur.
- How to get there: located very close to the historic center of Courmayeur, and within walking distance – Get directions)
- Hours: open every day 8: 00-20: 00
- Ticket cost: free
10 – Courmayeur historic center
Photo by BKP. The historic center of Courmayeur is a place where time seems to have stopped , and characterized by a mix of historic and modern. Walking through the alleys you will find that they almost climb one over the other up to the main street, where among other things you will find many shops, bars, cafes.
The houses are totally mountain style , thanks to which the village takes on a romantic atmosphere. Citizens are also very kind and well disposed when it comes to meeting tourists and travelers.
- How to get there: the historic center can be reached by driving along the State Road 26 and the E25 motorway, from Aosta it takes 35 minutes – Get directions)
- Hours: always accessible
- Ticket cost: free
One day itinerary in Courmayeur
Photo by Tiia Monto. In one day in Courmayeur you can start from the historic center, having breakfast at Bar Berthod.
Then visit the Church of San Pantaleone, the main Catholic place of worship in the city, being able to admire the fantastic panorama from the main square, Piazza Abbe Henry.
Then continue your tour at the Alpine Museum located right in the city center, inside you will see many photographs, documents and mountaineering equipment in two floors of exhibitions.
Then stop at Parco Bollino before having lunch in the nearby La Terrazza restaurant.
In the afternoon get ready to see the most beautiful peaks we have in Italy, those of the Mont Blanc massif, through the Skyway, the cabin that will take you to Punta Helbronner and back.
Once you get off the cable car, we recommend that you reach Val Veny, to enjoy a spectacular sunset in a peaceful place like this valley.
For dinner, stop by La Zerotta, a typical restaurant located just on the way back from Val Veny, near Camping Aiguille-Noire.
Here is the one-day itinerary in summary:
- Church of San Pantaleone – opening hours: every day 9: 00-19: 30 – ticket price: free
- Alpine Museum Duca Degli Abruzzi – opening hours: visit the official website – ticket price: € 5.00 full price, € 3.00 reduced
- Parco Bollino – opening hours: every day 8: 00-20: 00 – ticket price: free
- Skyway Monte Bianco – opening hours: every day 8: 30-16: 30 – ticket price: € 52.00 return ticket Courmayeur – Punta Helbronner, € 28.00 return ticket Courmayeur – Pavillon
- Val Veny – opening hours: always accessible – ticket price: free
Where to eat in Courmayeur
- Ristorante Pizzeria La Terrazza : restaurant with Italian menu and many Aosta Valley specialties, in an environment of wooden furnishings
Average price per person: € 25.00
Address and contacts: Via Circonvallazione, 73 (Get directions) / tel: +39 0165843330 - La Zerotta : typical mountain restaurant located close to the ski slopes and a summer campsite
Average price per person: € 25.00
Address and contacts: Via Val Veny (Get directions) / tel: +39 0165869091 - Off- piste : restaurant with grilled meat specialties, pizza and soups
Average price per person: € 20.00
Address and contacts: Str. Vittoria, 13 (Get directions) / tel: + 39 0165842118 - Ristorante Pizzeria Brasseria La Padella : Italian-Valle d’Aosta restaurant with wooden furniture and with terrace
Average price per person: € 25.00
Address and contacts: Vicolo Dolonne, 7 (Get directions) / tel: + 39 0165841977 - Le Vieux Pommier : Aosta Valley dishes and wines among wood paneling and furnishings in a rustic room with apple tree in the room
Average price per person: € 30.00
Address and contacts: Str. Margherita, 2 (Get directions) / tel: +39 0165842281
What to do in the evening: nightlife areas and the best clubs
Courmaeyeur is much loved because it manages to combine skiing and nightlife in a single splendid location. In fact , the evening here is all to be experienced and after a day on the slopes or on the trails, you can let off steam in the clubs in the area. In fact, there is no shortage of lounge bars, cocktail bars and chic nightclubs. The reference point is via Roma, the main street of the city , where some clubs also organize street parties, or rather real parties on the outside of the venue, transforming the street into an open-air disco.
- Le Prive Cocktail Bar : place in the center of Courmayeur with excellent aperitifs and cocktails / Address: Via Roma, 39 (Get directions)
- La Bouche : Cocktail bar open until 2am / Address: Via Regionale, 12 (Get directions)
- Club Haus 80’s : disco very popular with groups of kids and perfect for spending the evening in Courmayeur / Address: Via Circonvallazione, 48 (Get directions)
- THE CLUB : high altitude, exclusive, elegant and refined nightclub
Address: Via des Forges, 5 (Get directions) - American Bar : specialized in aperitifs and dinners accompanied by local beers and cocktails
Address: Via roma, 43 (Get directions)
Plan your stay in Courmayeur: info and useful advice
- How to get there: the simplest and most comfortable way is by car, it is connected to the north-west part of Italy by the A5 motorway which connects Turin to the Mont Blanc Tunnel. Taking the main cities as a reference point: from Milan 218 km (2 h 36 min), from Turin 147 km (1 h 50 min), from Genoa 282 km (3 h 14 min)
- How to get around : to move around Courmayeur you can use the Savda city buses, also used by skiers to move from one slope to another. Inside the city center you can instead move on foot
- Where to park : the most convenient are Parking Courmayeur, € 6.00 / day and located in the city center (Get directions), and Parking Dolonne, € 1.50 / hour from 8:00 to 16:00 or € 0.50 / hour from 16:00 onwards. One of the few free car parks is the Val Veny car park which is located right in the valley
- Where to sleep: Hotels and b & b from € 75.00 per room – see the offers
- What to see in the surrounding area : Pre-Saint-Didier (5 km), Morgex (10 km), La Salle (13 km), La Thuile (14 km), Saint-Rhemy-en-Bosses (60 km)
