Giroparchi

Project on sustainable development and integration of protected areas

The aim of the project is to improve the naturalistic and cultural tourism potential of the Gran Paradiso and Mont Avic areas, by promoting the integration and development of the economic activities connected to sustainable tourism.

In order to take the visitor through a discovery journey of a territory which is strongly characterised from a naturalistic, historic and cultural point of view, the project involves the creation of a nature trail and runs a number of activities aimed at: improving accessibility and sustainable mobility; creating a system that connects the footpath network with the villages and the places of cultural interest; upgrading the accommodation facilities that can be found on the way; adding value to sites with particular naturalistic and cultural interest; creating information and promotion systems for the general public.
Thus the project doesn’t only focus on linking villages together, but intends to highlight their most characteristic features. With regards to the majestic sceneries that characterise the area, the focus will be on the relationship between man and the natural world: not only landscapes and nature, but also traditions, know-how, gastronomy, and culture.

Giroparchi was approved by the Regional Committee, provision n. 2243, 20 August 2010, and started operating in September of the same year. The project, run by the Region, stretches over a period of five years, with a total investment of 3,904,115 Euros for the Espace Grand Paradis and 1,031,400 Euros for the Mont Avic Natural Park. These resources generate from the “Fondo per le Aree Sottoutilizzate" (i.e. Fund for Underused Areas).
The project has a regional structure in charge, represented by the Servizio Aree Protette (Service for Protected Areas) of the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, and two implementing bodies: Fondation Grand Paradis and Mont Avic Natural Park.

Fondation Grand Paradis coordinates the project, carries out common actions and manages the interventions related to the Gran Paradis territory. In order to help the Foundation carrying out the interventions within its scope, the following co-implementing bodies have been identified: Municipalities of Aymavilles, Introd, Villeneuve, Rhêmes-Saint-Georges, Rhêmes-Notre-Dame, Cogne and Valsavarenche; Gran Paradiso National Park; Trail Management Service of the Autonomous Region of Aosta Valley.

The Mont Avic Natural Park takes on the role of coordinating the interventions and initiatives linked to the area surrounding the Mont Avic. In order to help carrying out the interventions within its scope, the following co-implementing bodies have been identified: Municipalities of Champorcher, Champdepraz, Fénis and Chambave; Trail Management Service of the Autonomous Region of Aosta Valley.

PROGRAMME: PAR FAS VALLE D’AOSTA 2007-2013

DURATION: SEPTEMBER 2010 - SUMMER 2015

BUDGET FOR THE GRAN PARADISO AREA: € 3,904,115

BUDGET FOR THE MONT AVIC AREA: € 1,031,400

REGIONAL STRUCTURE IN CHARGE: Service for Protected Areas of the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources

IMPLEMENTING BODIES:  Fondation Grand Paradis;  Mont Avic Natural Park

CO-IMPLEMENTING BODIES: Municipalities of Aymavilles, Introd, Villeneuve, Rhêmes-Saint-Georges, Rhêmes-Notre-Dame, Cogne and Valsavarenche; Municipalities of Champorcher, Champdepraz, Fénis and Chambave; Gran Paradiso National Park; Trail Management Service of the Autonomous Region of Aosta Valley

Download the "Giroparchi hiking map"