Cultural Walk through the Occitan Hamlets of San Michele di Prazzo

A walking journey into Occitan culture

The Cultural Walk through the Occitan Hamlets of San Michele di Prazzo is much more than a simple excursion: it is a slow and mindful immersion into the Occitan identity of the upper Valle Maira, one of the most fascinating and well-preserved valleys in the Province of Cuneo, Piedmont. Walking through the hamlets of the San Michele valley, part of the Municipality of Prazzo, you will discover a world built of stone, wood, and memory, where every hamlet tells centuries of mountain life.

The route through the hamlets

The meeting point is set early in the morning in the square of San Michele di Prazzo. From there, you will travel by your own transport to Borgata Raina, the actual starting point of the walk. The itinerary, of about 3 kilometers, crosses the hidden treasures of Borgata Villa to reach the evocative Borgata Campiglione.

• Ancient notary houses that bear witness to a rich and complex rural history
• Traces of mills and forges that once fueled the valley's economy
• Stories dedicated to Occitan culture and traditional mountain agricultural life

Along the way, a local history enthusiast will accompany participants with anecdotes, legends, and insights that give voice to the stones and landscapes.

The talc mines and Alpe Coronata

The day continues with a visit to the area of the former grey talc mines of San Michele, an important chapter in the industrial and labor history of this part of the upper Valle Maira. The route ends with a picnic lunch served at the panoramic viewpoint of Alpe Coronata, from which the gaze embraces the surrounding mountains.

A proposal by Locanda La Tano di Grích

The initiative is promoted by Locanda La Tano di Grích, a scattered hospitality venue in San Michele di Prazzo that has been promoting the Occitan territory of the upper valley for years and is part of the 'Percorsi Occitani' network. The name itself, in the Occitan language, recalls a curious local legend and has become a reference point for those who want to experience the Valle Maira authentically. The walk is part of a broader tradition of cultural strolls through the hamlets of Prazzo, precious opportunities to rediscover a heritage made of landscapes, language, and ancient knowledge.