French are defeated at Mutin, Piemonte wins new territory

301 years ago here at Fenestrelle was a French fortress. Built to block the Chisone Valley from marauding Waldensians and the Piemontese. On Sept 12 1708 after 3 weeks of battle the fortress fell to thePiemontese thanks to the help of Austrian and Hungarian allies and the rest is as they say "History".

Fenestrelle benefits not just from having the largest fortress in Europe but also from a string of fortifications that surround the area. Fort Mutin is just the most recent of these to begin to be uncovered and made accessible.

Exactly 301 years after that siege we have celebrated the rebirth of this ill feted fortification. A fort that followed a perfect text book design but however suffered from one lethal flaw. It was built in the base of the valley, surrounded on all sides by high mountain peaks from where the enemy could shoot down into the fort.

The great Vauban visited the fort in 1701 and would have had the fortress demolished if it was not for the fact that it had cost so much to build in the first place. He did however order the construction of several redoubts and fortifications around Fenestrelle of which Elmo, Tre Denti and Fort des Aguilles became incorporated into what we now know as The fortress of Fenestrelle. Thanks to this remedial work the fortress lasted for three weeks which was no mean feat when you consider it's position and the fact that 45 Piemontese cannon were firing 200 shots each per cannon per day.

This weekend saw a reconstruction of the siege and a demonstration by the Pietro Micca Association, well known in these parts for their revocation of the siege of Turin and Battle of Assietta.

The old walls of Mutin are now visible once again from afar thanks to the clearance of the overgrowing trees and clever illumination. This has once again turned Fenestrelle into the Gateway to the Alps.

Giro comes to Fenestrelle

Giro d'Italia 09 Cuneo Pinerolo at Fenestrelle
Originally uploaded by Hannibal Cycle tours / Belvedere B&B

I am fortunate that I live in an area where the Giro and Tour visit regularly. Maybe that is why I run a cycle holiday company. It may have something to do with the fact that I love cycling as well?

This Tuesday saw the longest stage of the Giro d'Italia pass right through our town of Fenestrelle and we wrer in the right place to get some fantastic photos. The stage saw an epic battle between the top riders with Di Luca coming out on top. Lance was doing OK but should have been up at the front on this stage. The course also hosted the Cima Coppi of this years Giro at Sestriere. Only a paltry 2035m above sea level. However, the 260km stage certainly took its toll with the last riders passing through Fenestrelle a good twenty five minutes after the leaders.

I think that baring anything serious then the trophy for the Giro will have Danilo Di Luca's name on it in Rome.
Pinerolo saw the finish and the coverage on the TV certainly seemed to be a good advert for Val Chisone. It looked so good I want to go and visit!

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The Fantastic Fortress of Fenestrelle

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Petacchi can climb but Cavendish can't!

Today's stage saw Cavendish loose the Maglia Rosa Not because Petacchi beat him in the sprint but because he was beaten by the final climb. A great shame but hopefully Cavendish will take this on board and do some work to improve his climbing skills.
It should not be forgotten however thathe not only won the maglia rosa but managed to hold on to it for two days. This is a fantastic achievement for a Brit and I am sure that we will be seeing his name as a stage winner again over the next three weeks.
My money is on Lance Armstrong for stage 10 Cuneo to Pinerolo May 19th. Here he has the opportunity to really show us his climbing ability on a climb that he knows very well. The climb to Sestriere where in 99 he beat Marco Pantani on his home ground in the Tour de France. This time however he will not be stopping at the top but descending all the way to Pinerolo via a "little" cat 2 climb at Pra Martino.
I am sure this stage will go down in history. You too can come and ride this route. Just book a holiday with Hannibal Cycle Tours and this and many other great cols could be on your "Done" list

Petacchi wins the stage but Cavendish is still in Pink

Mark Cavendish was pipped at the post by Allessandro Petacchi today at Trieste. He still holds the Maglia Rosa however after an excellently ridden stage. Today Petacchi's experience showed through. However I think Cav will not let it happen again. Cavendish has made history in being the first Brit to hold the Maglia Rosa. He has already made his mark as one of cycling's greats. He is young enough and good enough to go much further.
Over the next few stages he is still in a good position to hold onto the jersey designed by Dolce&Gabbana which this year carries the Italian tricola in recognition of the 100th anniversary of the Giro.
In the post race interview Mark showed true British sportsmanship by admitting that "Petacchi won today not because he was lucky but because he was better when it counts".

Once again well done Mark! We look forward to seeing you as you pass through Fenestrelle on the 19th.
British cycling kicks ass!

Art at the Fort of Fenestrelle

Abitare il Confine (living the border) is a "Must See" exhibition! A collection of works from young artists from Europe. A clever mix of sculpture, painting and installation works cunningly juxtaposed amongst the stuffed animal collection in the Governors Palace.


Irony seems to play a strong role be it the "wall" made of wire frame "bricks" or the barbed wire made from papier mache to the "alternative" hunting trophies hidden amongst the real taxidermy. There is something for everyone.

The exhibition is on show until the 30th November so time is limited. Just hop on a plane,train or bike and hot foot it to Fenestrelle just an hour from Turin. You could even stay for a few days and take in the delights that the val Chisone can offer, stroll in the mountains or visit a museum or two. There is always plenty to do!