Sauze
SAOUZË ËD SËZORA
Sauze di Cesana is ninety kilometers from Turin (just enough time to watch a good movie). For that matter, it’s also five kilometers from Sestriere, five from Cesana Torinese, and twenty-five from Briançon.
But the question is: Why come to Sauze?
For the mountains, perhaps. For the clean air. For the silence, the stillness, the slower, happier, gentler rhythms. For the scent of the earth and pine needles. For the smell of snow and the cold air that drifts down from the forest—but not only that.
Sauze di Cesana is a destination reserved for those who love the authentic mountains. Amid unspoiled valleys, scenic trails, high-altitude mountain huts, and ancient Alpine villages, every day becomes an opportunity to slow down, breathe deeply, and reconnect with nature. Here, time moves to the rhythm of the seasons and offers authentic experiences, far removed from the hustle and bustle of mass tourism.
HISTORICAL OVERVIEW
BETWEEN ITALY AND FRANCE
Its name appears in medieval documents, where it is referred to as *Salise Cesanae* and *Saude*. Later, in 1516, it appears as *Sallicia Sezanio*; *Sauze* refers to the willow tree, but also means “above” or “balcony.”
The historical and political events of this small village include French rule first (the Dauphiné) and then Italian rule, with the transfer of sovereignty to the House of Savoy in 1713 (Treaty of Utrecht).
Despite the devastating fire that destroyed most of its buildings in 1962, Sauze di Cesana still maintains its ties to history through the artistic and architectural legacies of a bygone era.
Today, Sauze di Cesana is a small mountain town whose economy is based primarily on tourism.
