Elva
A mountain village in an Occitan valley, with a parish church frescoed by a Flemish painter and a museum devoted to hair.
The story
For centuries the men of Elva, the 'pelassiers', left the valley in winter and walked across Italy and France buying women's hair, which was then made into wigs sold all over Europe. In the early 16th century the painter Hans Clemer painted a cycle of frescoes in the church that is astonishing for such a remote village. The Maira valley keeps the Occitan language and music alive.
Why go
One of the most beautiful and unspoilt valleys in the Alps, with stone villages and trails among the larches.
In the itineraries
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Weather forecast
The forecast for the next 7 days at this spot: sky, temperatures, rain and wind.
Forecast by Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), from the models of national weather services. Your browser downloads it directly from Open-Meteo, and only when you ask. In the mountains and at sea the weather changes quickly: check the official forecast as well before you set off.
Getting there
- By train. There are no railway stations within 25 km: a car is best, or regional buses.
- By air. The nearest airport is Cuneo-Levaldigi Airport (CUF), about 42 km away; with more flights, Turin Airport (TRN) is about 85 km away.
- Parking. The nearest public car park is 50 m away.
- ZTL. Many Italian historic centres are limited traffic zones (ZTL) monitored by cameras: if you arrive by car, leave it outside the centre and check opening times and permits on the town council's website (your hotel may be able to register your plate).
Stations, ports, airports and car parks from OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL); distances as the crow flies. Timetables and connections change: check them before you travel.
Climate month by month
The most pleasant months for weather are from June to September, with average highs between 18 and 29 °C. From November to March night-time temperatures drop below freezing on average. The wettest month is May (about 87 mm), the driest January.
| Month | Temperature | High / low | Rain mm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | from -7 to 1 °C | 1° -7° | 38 |
| Feb | from -6 to 3 °C | 3° -6° | 49 |
| Mar | from -4 to 6 °C | 6° -4° | 53 |
| Apr | from 0 to 10 °C | 10° 0° | 54 |
| May | from 4 to 14 °C | 14° 4° | 87 |
| Jun | from 9 to 19 °C | 19° 9° | 65 |
| Jul | from 11 to 24 °C | 24° 11° | 42 |
| Aug | from 11 to 23 °C | 23° 11° | 46 |
| Sep | from 7 to 18 °C | 18° 7° | 49 |
| Oct | from 3 to 14 °C | 14° 3° | 80 |
| Nov | from -2 to 6 °C | 6° -2° | 79 |
| Dec | from -5 to 3 °C | 3° -5° | 51 |
Averages for 2015–2024, estimated for an altitude of 1639 m. Air: NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis), corrected for the altitude of the place; rain: average monthly total. These are indicative values: the weather on any given day can be very different, so always check the forecast before you go.
Nearby
- SaluzzoTown · 34 km as the crow flies
- ★ Fenestrelle FortHistory and art · 55 km as the crow flies
- ★ Sanctuary of VicoforteHistory and art · 64 km as the crow flies
- Palazzina di StupinigiHistory and art · 65 km as the crow flies
- Sacra di San MicheleHistory and art · 65 km as the crow flies
- Pollenzo and BraHistory and art · 65 km as the crow flies