Limone Piemonte is a town and comune in the province of Cuneo, in the southern part of the Piedmont region of Italy. Located in the Vermenagna Valley near the Maritime Alps, it is a winter sports resort that forms part of the Riserva Bianca ski area.
The town sits in a mountain basin near the French border, serving as a base for winter skiing and summer outdoor activities such as hiking, mountain biking, and high-altitude driving.
Understand
[edit]Limone Piemonte, locally just Limone (the Piemonte is tacked on to avoid confusion with Limone sul Garda in Lombardy), is located at an altitude of approximately 1,000 metres above sea level. It is situated near the Colle di Tenda (Tenda Pass), a mountain pass across the southern Alps that has been used as a transport route since antiquity; remnants of Roman paving can still be found near the hamlet of Limonetto.
The town became part of the territory of the House of Savoy in 1581. The Dukes of Savoy made several early attempts to tunnel under the pass to improve trade routes to the Mediterranean Sea. The modern road tunnel opened in 1882, followed by the railway tunnel in 1900.
Following the completion of the railway, Limone Piemonte developed into a destination for tourism, with organized skiing beginning in 1897. The historic centre retains its traditional alpine layout with stone buildings and narrow streets, rather than the purpose-built design seen in newer ski resorts.
The main town of Limone Piemonte is located near the train station. There are smaller villages at 1 Limone 1400 and 2 Limonetto, both well placed near the ski lifts.
Get in
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By train
[edit]1 Limone Piemonte station is served by the Cuneo–Ventimiglia railway. This line connects the town north to Cuneo and Turin, and south through French territory via Tende and Breil-sur-Roya and back to Ventimiglia on the Italian coast. Travel time from Turin is approximately 2 hours, requiring a quick connection in Cuneo.
By road
[edit]The town is accessed via the Strada Statale 20 (SS20) highway, which runs up the Vermenagna Valley from Cuneo. To the south, the road connects to France through the Colle di Tenda Tunnel, linking the area to Nice and the French Riviera. The road is prone to landslides and the tunnel is being rebuilt, with completion scheduled for 2028; for time being, all traffic passes through one tunnel in turns.
Get around
[edit]The historic centre of Limone Piemonte is compact and mostly pedestrianized, making it passable on foot. During the winter season, local shuttle buses (navette) run between the town centre, the main railway station, and the ski lift base stations at Sole and Limonetto. A car or bicycle is required to access the outlying trails and neighbouring valleys.
See
[edit]The central pedestrian zone (Centro Storico) features restored traditional stone architecture, narrow alleys, and historic stone fountains.
- 1 Parish of Saint Peter the Apostle (Chiesa Parrocchiale di San Pietro in Vincoli). A 14th-century Gothic parish church located in the town centre. It features a stone bell tower and regional religious artwork.
- 2 Limone Piemonte Ski Museum (Museo Dello Sci Agostino Bottero), Piazza Henry Dunant (in library building). Vintage ski equipment and the development of winter sports in the region.
Do
[edit]- Skiing and Snowboarding: The Riserva Bianca ski resort provides over 80 kilometres of ski runs. The network spans across the sectors of Limone, Sole, and Limonetto, offering slopes for varying skill levels.
- Alta Via del Sale (High Salt Road): A former military track that is unpaved and runs along the Franco-Italian border at altitudes between 1,800 and 2,100 metres. It is open during summer and autumn to hikers, mountain bikers, and motorized vehicles (subject to permits and scheduling).
- Hiking: The surrounding mountains connect to trails leading toward the Maritime Alps Natural Park and the French Mercantour National Park. A standard walking route follows the ancient Roman path toward the meadows of San Lorenzo.
- The Abaya Festival: Held annually on the last Sunday of August, this folk festival dates back to 1529. It commemorates the historical muleteers who transported goods across the mountain passes, featuring local costumes and traditional horse-drawn carts.
Go next
[edit]- Cuneo, the provincial capital, featuring a large arcaded central square (Piazza Galimberti) and historic architecture.
- Roya Valley, located just south of the Tenda pass, containing alpine villages such as Tende, Saorge, and Breil-sur-Roya.