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Amongst suggestive woods, 20 km from Aosta, the commune of RHEMES SAINT GEORGES (1200 m) is surrounded by imposing alpine peeks. It includes 12 little villages on a hill that dominates the surroundings in the Gran Paradiso National Park. The pride of this little rural commune is without any doubt the simple and direct contact with a natural and uncontaminated ambience where you can appreciate the peace of the mountains.
SOME HISTORY: Archaeological finds in the area demonstrated that Rhemes Saint Georges was inhabited during the Bronze Age despite its geographical position and the consequent difficulties of communication. Since 1800 every family owned some livestock and the villages were surrounded by fields, some of them cultivated. In 1901 the commune counted 648 villagers not very well off since many men had to leave in search of a job and ended up working mainly as chimney sweepers (« ramoneur ») in foreign countries or in the near Canavese.<br> The villagers waited a long time for the road linking the central valley to Val di Rhemes, road that was built only after the second world war. Nowadays the population is about 200 inhabitants working in farming, in tourism or commuting to Aosta on a daily basis.
ART TOUR To the curious and explorative tourist, whishing to leave the busy roads, this commune can offer some interesting visits to the chapel of Saint George, patron of the village, built in the XIIIth century or to the many chapels built between 1600 and 1700. In frazione Vieux, close to the chapel of Prieur, you can see the Town Hall built in 1786 thanks to a great contribution of Umberto I.<br> In frazione Vieux and Creton some typical sheltered roads, linking one house to the other, mustn’t be missed.<br> The rural villages of Verogne, Champromenty and Gerbelle in the Gran Paradiso National Park are made up of mountain chalets and rascard. And in the summer months you can visit an alpine farm in the Feulemma valley where they make Fontina, the typical cheese from Aosta Valley.
SPORT AND FUN GAMES Tourists in the village of Rhemes Saint Georges can enjoy the walks amid the flora and fauna of the Gran Paradiso National Park or discover a new way of « living » the mountain through relaxing or adventurous horse back riding. Other available activities are mountain bike tracks, free climbing, rafting in the river and excursions up the mountain lead by Alpine Guides, without forgetting the football pitch and, in winter, the piolet-traction that takes you up the many iced waterfalls of the area. Moreover, the younger ones can have fun on the play area with slides, swings, etc.. made available by the school.
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