Pré-Saint-Didier Thermal Spas

Treasured since Roman times for their relaxing, anti-rheumatic properties, the thermal springs of Pré-Saint-Didier marked the birth of tourism in Aosta Valley as early as mid-1600. Following the successive construction of the thermal spa centre in 1834 and the casino in 1888, Pré-Saint-Didier became a major tourist attraction, greatly loved by the Italian royal family.

As soon as I entered the spa I was given a bathrobe, towel and slippers; in just a few minutes I’m ready and I come out to a hectic corridor with people of all ages excitedly coming and going, who seem to be enjoying themselves rather than relaxing, and not exactly in silence, all eager to try out all the different types of pools, showers and treatments.

The first thing I do is try out the pool which is located outside the building; how you simply not want to experience the sensation of a bath at 37°C surrounded by the snow and the spectacular “Dente del Gigante” or Giant’s tooth, at the peak of Monte Bianco?

I then join the small crowd inspecting the three corridors of the three floors of the two original nineteenth century buildings which have been entirely restructured; a labyrinth of an array of facilities waiting to be tried out. And I try out everything: hydro-massage, waterfalls, hydro-jets, dry saunas and saunas aromatised with hay and roses, thermal showers, Turkish bath (where a hair-mask applied by the “wellness maestros” awaits me) sense pool with underwater music, relaxing theme room and then finally at the end of the day which I declare to be my favourite; a bucket of cold water over the head, which after numerous hot baths really gives a lash of energy.

So this is how I spent an entire day, alternating hot and cold, of enjoyment and regeneration set in a unique atmosphere recalling a fusion of ancient Rome and nineteenth century parlours in a Nordic environment with a touch of something exotic.