Holiday apartment in Issime: Töitschu, crafts and mountain paths

Issime lies in the central Lys Valley at an altitude of 953 metres, on a plain between green meadows and forests at the foot of Mont Néry. The small village combines a distinctly alpine landscape with distinctive traces of language, crafts and history. A holiday apartment in Issime is particularly suitable for your plans when you want nature experiences and tangible cultural discoveries to stand side by side.

Traces of Issime’s history

At the Museo parrocchiale di Issime, underground archaeological excavations of the original building can be viewed. They belong to an early Christian funerary basilica dating from the 5th century. Casa Alby is now called Bastrenta and is a Maison del Pouhrta in Issime. The presence of the associated family can be traced back to the 15th century.

Stadels and summer pastures in the Vallone di San Grato

The architectural forms also give the area its character: Issime is home to numerous stadels, some of the most interesting of which stand in the Vallone di San Grato. Its upper section has been used as summer pasture for many centuries. In this way, the landscape is connected with a form of use that has developed over a long period.

Paths for different kinds of holiday days

A circular trail leads through the Vallone di San Grato. It begins at the Chapel of San Grato, explores the valley’s cultural heritage and reaches the Chapel of Mühni, situated at an altitude of 2,000 metres and dedicated to Madonna delle Nevi.

The 90-kilometre Monte Rosa WalserWaeg follows impressive paths and crosses mountain passes through the municipalities of Gaby and Issime. From Issime, an easy unpaved path also follows the banks of the Lys River to Gaby. There is an equipped picnic area along the path from Issime to Gaby.

On the Issime–Hurllji route, the ascent passes close to the Chapel of the Grotta di SS. Agonia; the more panoramic section begins afterwards. The different characteristics of the paths can help you organise your day-by-day plans.

Töitschu and local crafts

Töitschu is still spoken in Issime today, a dialect with clear Germanic roots passed down by the Walser people. The Eischem Mert takes place every summer and showcases the local craft tradition with works and products made from wood, stone, wicker, textiles and other materials, as well as typical products from the Aosta Valley.

Getting to Issime

The “Pont-Saint-Martin – Gressoney” bus route is also relevant when planning your journey: it goes to Issime, and the journey takes about half an hour.

Choosing a holiday apartment in Issime according to your interests

When choosing a holiday apartment in Issime, you can use your preferred daily rhythm as a guide. Between the Museo parrocchiale, the paths along the Lys, the Vallone di San Grato and the Eischem Mert, you can give different emphasis to your holiday days: cultural discoveries, activity in the landscape or a seasonal insight into crafts and regional products. This is helpful for travel groups that want to alternate active and cultural days.

Other places for planning your trip

Pont-Saint-Martin, Saint-Christophe, Gignod, Gressoney-Saint-Jean, Aymavilles, Arvier, Montjovet and Courmayeur.

For the higher-level travel overview: Aosta Valley.