Located in Italy’s dramatic Aosta Valley, Cogne, Italy is a wonderful alpine village. Visitors enjoy a welcoming mix of Italian roots and alpine heritage. Located at the base of the Grand Paradiso National Park, Cogne is a historically protected village offering a home base for hikers, fun shops and restaurants for those who prefer to stay in town, and a wonderful resort for those looking to relax in the spa with a great view! Cogne is also a great addition to European road trips, as it is located off of the primary autostrata route out of the French-Italian Border in Mount Blanc. Easy connections to Cogne include the French Riviera, Tuscany, or Provence.
Throughout Europe, our family has a handful of favorite towns that we return to time after time. Cogne is one of those places! We hope these recommendations help you plan your time in Cogne and the Grand Paradiso National Park.
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Where to Stay in Cogne, Italy: Bellevue Hotel and Spa
This Relais and Châteaux resort offers the warm greeting of a friendly guest house with the fantastic amenities of a resort. First opened in 1925, the hotel has been owned and operated by four generations of the same family. In fact, it’s quite common to see three generations of the family eating dinner together in the hotel restaurant!
The Bellevue Hotel and Spa offers an unprecedented location on the edge of the Grand Paradiso, with beautiful views of the peaks as well as the village of Cogne, Italy, so most rooms offer great views. In addition, guests can enjoy the modern spa, which includes everything from two pools to saunas, steam rooms, and treatment rooms. The hotel also boasts four restaurants, scattered between the main hotel building as well as in the town of Cogne, so guests can enjoy a variety of local culinary favorites. Plus, breakfast is included for all guests in the main restaurant each morning, which includes a large buffet of fresh fruits, pastries, eggs, breads, meats, and cheeses.
Rooms vary from basic double rooms to fancy suites. We enjoyed upgrading to the Prestige category rooms for their larger seating areas and cozy feel. For families, consider renting one of the chalets, 1- and 2-bedroom suites located across the street from the main hotel. If you wish to spring for a wonderful upgrade, consider the Angel’s Nest, a brand new suite with 180 degree panoramic views of the valley! For us, what makes Bellevue Hotel so unique is how much it honors the tradition of Aosta Valley. Each room boasts antiques, fabrics, and décor to accentuate the region’s culture and heritage.
Bellevue Hotel is a favorite for us, because of the friendly management, value of tradition, and luxurious amenities including the spa and restaurants.
Where to Eat in Cogne, Italy:
One of the most unique parts of Cogne is the wide variety of restaurant options in the town. With everything from formal restaurants offering multi-course meals to unique local cuisines such as fondue or pizza, visitors can choose between many options. Here are the restaurants we prefer to visit while in Cogne, Italy:
Bellevue Restaurant
Located in the main hotel, the Bellevue Restaurant offers breakfast for all hotel guests, as well as lunch and dinner. Seasonal menus for lunch and dinner take advantage of local food and offer fun twists to local favorites. In addition, more traditional meals such as pasta ragout and basic risotto are always available on the kids menu. On nice afternoons, lunch is served on the patio, offering dramatic views of the Grand Paradiso National Park. But even during bad weather, you will have a great view! The restaurant’s dining room is located at the edge of the hotel, with 180 degree panoramic views of the valley, village of Cogne, and Grand Paradiso National Park!
For those staying at the hotel, you may consider upgrading to half-board (breakfast and dinner included in your room rate) or full-board (breakfast, lunch, and dinner included in your room rate). With either plan, guests can choose between the Bellevue Restaurant or the Bar à Fromage!
Note: Located next to this restaurant is Le Petit Bellevue, a special restaurant also within the hotel. With only six tables, reservations are typically reserved for a select number of hotel guests. While it was still closed when we last visited, we have heard great things about this restaurant! Make sure to try it if you get the option!
Bar à Fromage Restaurante de Montagne
Speaking of the Bar à Fromage, this is definitely a can’t miss restaurant while in Cogne, Italy! Hotel Bellevue owns two restaurants in town, including this one. The Bar à Fromage is most popular for its cheese fondue and cheese raclette, but the restaurant also offers a wide variety of traditional dishes that mix local ingredients such as polenta, local cheeses, and local meats.
The restaurant’s setting is chalet themed, offering a cozy atmosphere for guests. It is also extremely convenient for hotel guests, as it is located across the street from the main hotel in a secondary building (which also is home to many of the junior suites and suites for the hotel). Reservations book early, so try to book ahead. Make sure to reserve the Bar à Fromage for one of your evenings while in Cogne!
La Brasserie du Bon Bec
The fourth and final restaurant owned by the hotel is La Brasserie du Bon Bec. This brasserie is located in the center of Cogne, Italy and serves classic local dishes. This warm restaurant was once the town’s butcher shop, owned by the current owner of the hotel’s grandfather. Today, the restaurant is a welcoming brasserie filled with local antiques and art. As was recommended, we chose to split several local favorites in order to try everything! From a local flatbread appetizer, to a local Aosta Valley cheese fondue (individual portions served in a bread bowl!), and even meat fondue, there are a ton of menu items that are unique to this restaurant. Plus, for those with a sweet tooth, make sure to save room for the chocolate fondue to finish off your meal!
Licone
Located in the center of town, Licone offers great individual sized pizzas. We enjoyed this restaurant for lunch, especially since everyone could order their own pizza with their preferred toppings! Plus, the restaurant had a great outdoor patio for seating.
Picnic
The Grand Paradiso National Park is a beautiful place to explore! If you are planning on going for a long bike or hike, consider buying food at the local grocery store in the morning before you head out! Market Rey is located in the center of Cogne, so you can pick up all your picnic supplies on your way out of town!
Things to Do in Cogne, Italy:
With an adorable town and amazing natural wonderland surrounding the Bellevue Hotel, there are countless seasonal activities to enjoy! Below are our favorite suggestions for things to do in Cogne, Italy:
Hikes and Walks
Thanks to the Grand Paradiso National Park, Cogne has wonderful hikes for all skill levels. From easy, flat, and well-graveled hikes to more advanced hikes, there are paths to suit anyone’s needs. We especially love the easier hike to Valnontey, which is a village about 3.5 kilometers from Cogne. This hike runs along the dramatic river, filled with white-water rapids, and leads you up into the national park. For those hoping to maximize their hiking capabilities and experiences, consider booking a hiking tour through the hotel. If you are more interested in simpler hikes, consider taking advantage of the free shuttle service run by the hotel, which can drop you off or pick you up at nearby trailheads (or just walk from the hotel! Some of the best trailheads are steps from the hotel lobby)!
Biking, Cross Country Skiing, and Other Seasonal Activities
Cogne’s Valley boasts countless seasonal activities. In the summer, biking is a huge part of the tourism in the area. During the winter months, cross country skiing and downhill skiing are both popular activities. You can check out the Bellevue Hotel website here to learn more about the different seasonal activities around the area.
Visit the Spa
Bellevue Hotel and Spa offers a wonderful two story spa. The upstairs family friendly area offers an indoor pool and jacuzzi, along with lounge chairs looking out towards the scenic valley. Downstairs, an adult-only pool, steam room, sauna, ice room, and salt room offer a wide variety of ways to relax and unwind. Additionally, you can book massages and other spa treatments, which you can learn more about here.
Explore the Town of Cogne
Cogne, Italy is one of those darling alpine towns that is very fun to explore. With several souvenir shops and boutiques, as well as a variety of sports and clothing stores, it is a fun village to window shop in! Make sure to walk past the main street to enjoy the pedestrianized village behind the primary car street. In addition to the shops, there is a wonderful local church to visit, as well as several cafes and restaurants. The whole town is protected under historic preservation laws, protecting the building footprints and general look, so visitors can continue to enjoy the unique architecture and slate roofs for generations to come!
We hope these recommendations help you plan your next trip to Cogne in Italy’s Aosta Valley. If you have questions or want help planning your next Creative Journey, please feel free to contact us.
