Home - Travel Destinations - Savoy Castle: Acosta Valley’s Fairytale Gem and Bocelli Christmas Filming Site
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Home - Travel Destinations - Savoy Castle: Acosta Valley’s Fairytale Gem and Bocelli Christmas Filming Site
If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.
The Val d’Aosta (often misheard as “Acosta Valley”), home to Savoy Castle (Castel Savoia), is famous for its medieval castles, set deep in the mountains and difficult to reach via public transportation. Aosta Valley is famous for being surrounded by some of Europe’s tallest and most dramatic peaks. Think Mont Blanc, Monte Rosa, Gran Paradiso, and of course the Matterhorn. That’s why the whole valley feels like a postcard: castles perched on hillsides, villages nestled in alpine meadows, and snowy peaks towering in the background.
Christmas will be remembered by many for the famous Bocelli family’s Family Christmas album. It’s a phenomenal album and I am sure it will be an evergreen album. One we will play year after year. Savoy Castle (Castel Savoia or Savoia Castle), nestled in Gressonay-St-Jean, was the perfect setting for the filming of the album.
In the first scene of “A Bocelli Family Christmas,” 10-year-old Virginia Bocelli is taken by surprise on a hot air balloon ride and transported to a magical Christmas setting while singing Somewhere Over The Rainbow. An amazing video and an amazing rendition of the golden classic, Over The Rainbow. The hot air balloon lands in Gressoney from where Virginia heads in proper fairytale style to Savoy Castle where her mom and dad are waiting for her at the entrance. She then goes inside to join the rest of the family, Matteo, and Amos, and together they decorate the Christmas tree. Watch the movie to see how it all unfolds.
Savoy Castle is located in Gressoney-Saint-Jean, a charming mountain village in Northwestern Italy’s Aosta Valley (about 100 km north of Turin). Nestled on the slopes with breathtaking alpine views, the castle sits at Via Obre Biel Waeg 7, bordering France and Switzerland.
Savoy castle is no doubt one of the most beautiful castles in Italy. The castle was built from 1899 to 1904 and was the summer home to Queen Margherita, the widow of King Umberto I, up to a year before she passed away. The King was not particularly keen on the castle because he preferred to stay in the Castle of Sarre which was ideal for him, enjoying long hunting trips. However, he was supportive of the Queen’s wishes although he never stayed in the castle. The castle was completed four years after his assassination in 1900 in Monza, by the anarchist Gaetano Bresci.
Savoy Castle has three levels (thus small in comparison to most castles) with living quarters, royal apartments, and gentleman’s quarters. The exterior is coated with grey stone from the quarries in Gressoney, Gaby, and Vert. There was an underground train that connected the original, separate kitchens.
The castle is home to a number of interesting artworks and historical artifacts, including paintings, sculptures, and furniture. Some of the highlights of the castle include the Royal Armory, the Royal Apartments, and the Chapel of the Holy Shroud. There are still a few pieces of the original furniture, a few tapestries, some Cussetti ornamental paintings, and other Dellera furniture.
At the manor’s base is a lovely Alpine floral species-filled rocky garden which you can see through the windows. The castle has a magnificent panoramic view of the valley, the peaks of Monte Rosa, and the Lyskamm glacier.
Visits are only possible through guided tours, which can be booked online in advance. These tours are not just practical — they’re fascinating, offering rich insights into the castle’s history and architecture, and are highly recommended for anyone exploring the region. The castle is wheelchair accessible, with elevators and ramps available for visitors with mobility issues.
💡 Travel Tip(s):
Book a cozy stay in Gressoney‑Saint‑Jean. That way, you can enjoy Savoy Castle tours, ski the local slopes, and still have easy access to Monterosa Ski. It’s a perfect base for mixing culture and adventure without the stress of long transfers.
After wandering through the fairytale halls of Savoy Castle in Gressoney‑Saint‑Jean, it’s easy to see why the Aosta Valley is such a magical destination. The same alpine peaks that frame the castle also host some of Italy’s most famous ski resorts, including nearby Cervinia and the Monterosa Ski area. This means you can spend the morning exploring royal history and Gothic Revival architecture, then swap your walking shoes for ski boots and carve down snowy slopes in the afternoon. It’s the perfect blend of culture and adventure, making the valley a dream for travelers who want both storybook charm and high‑altitude thrills.
After you’ve wandered through the Gothic Revival towers of Savoy Castle in Gressoney‑Saint‑Jean, don’t pack up just yet — the fun continues right outside the castle gates. This little alpine village isn’t just about history; it’s also home to its own ski area. Think of it as the perfect “two‑for‑one” destination: culture in the morning, skiing in the afternoon.
Local slopes: The village offers about 25 km of pistes, including the legendary Leonardo David run, a black slope so technical it’s used for World Cup races.
Family‑friendly vibe: Beginners and kids will love the gentler drag‑lift slopes, complete with snow cannons to keep conditions reliable.
Practical tip: If you’re short on time, this is the easiest option — you can literally walk from Savoy Castle to the ski lifts without needing a car.
If you’re craving more variety, hop over to Gressoney‑La‑Trinité, just 15 minutes up the valley. From here, you can access the full Monterosa Ski circuit, linking Champoluc and Alagna Valsesia.
Travel tip: Buy the Monterosa Ski pass online before you go — it saves time at the ticket office and often comes with discounts.
Insider hack: Start early in the morning; the inter‑valley connections can take a while, and you’ll want to maximize slope time.
Cervinia (Breuil‑Cervinia), one of Italy’s most famous ski resorts, and Gressoney‑Saint‑Jean are both in the Aosta Valley. However, they sit on different sides of the mountains. Cervinia is at the foot of the Matterhorn, while Gressoney‑Saint‑Jean lies further east, tucked under Monte Rosa. Savoy Castle’s location is in the same regional neighborhood as Cervinia. They’re not next-door neighbors, but they share the same valley and alpine vibe. The castle is part of this larger, magical alpine world that blends history, architecture, and adventure sports all in one region.
Now, here’s the catch: you can’t ski directly from Cervinia to Gressoney‑Saint‑Jean in one continuous run. The two resorts belong to different ski domains:
Cervinia is linked with Zermatt in Switzerland, forming one of the largest international ski areas.
Gressoney‑Saint‑Jean is part of the Monterosa Ski area, which connects Gressoney‑La‑Trinité, Alagna Valsesia, and Champoluc.
So while both are in the same valley region, they’re separate ski networks. To get from Cervinia to Gressoney, you’d need to travel by road — it’s roughly a 1.5 to 2‑hour drive depending on conditions.
The “right pass” is the international ski pass that links Breuil‑Cervinia (Italy) with Zermatt (Switzerland). It’s officially called the International Skipass Cervinia–Valtournenche–Zermatt.
Coverage: Gives you access to the entire Matterhorn Ski Paradise, which includes slopes in Cervinia and Valtournenche (Italian side) plus Zermatt (Swiss side).
Border crossing: With this pass, you can ski over the Theodul Glacier and literally cross the border on skis.
Availability: Offered as a daily, multi‑day, or season pass. You need to specifically choose the international option when buying — the standard Cervinia/Valtournenche pass won’t get you into Zermatt.
It’s one of the few ski passes in the world that lets you ski seamlessly between two countries.
You can start your day in Italy, enjoy lunch in Switzerland, and ski back before sunset.
💡 Travel Tip(s):
The Bocelli Family Christmas was filmed at Savoy Castle (Castel Savoia) in Acosta Valley, Italy.
Savoy Castle is a fairytale-style residence built for Queen Margherita of Savoy, admired for its Gothic Revival architecture and stunning mountain views.
Yes, Savoy Castle is open to visitors. You can explore its historic rooms and enjoy the surrounding gardens.
Andrea Bocelli performed alongside his children Matteo, Virginia, and Amos Bocelli in the Family Christmas special.
Savoy Castle is located in Gressoney-Saint-Jean, Acosta Valley, and is accessible by car or public transport from nearby towns.
Its enchanting architecture and snowy alpine setting created the perfect backdrop for the Bocelli family’s festive performance.
We’d love to hear from you! Have you visited Savoy Castle or skied the slopes of Gressoney and Monterosa? Share your tips, favorite runs, or castle memories in the comments below — your insights help fellow travelers plan their own fairytale‑meets‑ski adventure.
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