The “Ni di Candolle”, which means “nest of the swallows”, is located in the Gran San Bernardo Valley, 15 minutes from Aosta and 5 minutes from Gignod, in the heart of the small village of Buthier at 1370 meters above sea level. Despite the considerable proximity to the main town of the Valle d’Aosta (14 km), the village is completely surrounded by nature among the mountains, the woods and the meadows.
It is ideal for those seeking peace and quiet. The “Ni di Candolle” is located in an old eighteenth-century building that has just been renovated and is made up of 2 two-room apartments and 3 studio apartments, one of which is completely accessible to people with disabilities. The houses have fully-equipped kitchens, complete with a dishwasher, a fridge, a microwave. In the bedrooms and bathrooms there are sheets, blankets, pillows and towels. Inside the facility, there is a laundry room with a washer and dryer that are available for use by guests. There are many activities that can be practiced throughout the year.
Buthier is, in fact, not far from the cross-country trails and the Flassin snow park, from the downhill slopes of Crévacol and Pila and it is an ideal departure point for excursions on foot and on snowshoes as well as for ski mountaineering.
Classic destinations of these sports are Punta Chaligne located at 2608 meters, the Cresta Tardiva, 2380 meters and Mont Fallère, 3061 meters. For lovers of the Mountan Bike, it is also possible to find some fascinating routes such as the Costa Tardiva and the Chaligne refuge.
The village is also not far from the Arsanières golf course, which can be reached not only via state road 26 but also via a road that goes through the woods.
The Buthier woods is an enchanting place for long walks or picnics and is a well-known destination for mushroom pickers.
Buthier is ideal not only for adults but also for children; a horse riding school is opening soon in the village; there is also a holiday farm with dairy cows, steers and chickens where you can take guided tours.
Finally, just a few minutes by car from Buthier, you can relax in the Variney wellness center where there is a sauna, a Turkish bath and a whirlpool bath, as well as a brand-new swimming pool recently completely renovated.
Moreover, the village of Buthier is an excellent base for day trips to the main towns in Valle d’Aosta and for trips to nearby Switzerland, whose border is about twenty kilometers away.