Palmira Orsières, had been a naturalistic hiking guide of the Valle d’Aosta since 1991 and exclusive guide of the Gran Paradiso National Park since 2001. She had vast experience of guiding groups of walkers along the Francigena in Valle d’Aosta and bordering regions of Liguria, Tuscany, Lazio and in the Swiss section. It’s with the precious help of Palmira that the path of the Via Francigena in the Valle d’Aosta tract was traced.
Palmira has collaborated with the European Association of Via Francigena Ways and in the creation of numerous publications of a hiking, naturalistic and historical nature. She had great knowledge of history, traditions, alpine culture, medicinal plants and pathways. She guided numerous wayfarers and enthusiasts along the paths of the Via Francigena, making herself appreciated for her human talents and for her deep passion of her land.
The EAVF remembers Palmira with great affection and esteem.
“I have always walked along paths, it is a passion I inherited from my family. It was almost natural that I should become a hiking guide and accompany people on the Valle d’Aosta trails and bordering regions, Valais, Savoy, Haute Savoie and Piedmont.
Thus began my beautiful adventure of walking, of sharing experiences and friendships. For six years I walked along the paths of the Via Francigena eight or nine days a year. After completing the journey in Rome, we travelled the Via Francigena from Saint-Maurice to Canterbury. I walk along the Via Francigena on day trips two or three times a year: the Valle d’Aosta and Canavese sections cover it entirely. I accompany groups to Rome and to Canterbury, walking 9-10 days each year. In 2014 we traveled a stretch in Italy, between Emilia-Romagna and Tuscany and in France, between Besançon and Chaumont“.
“The passage of pilgrims along the Via Francigena in recent years has increased considerably and statistics confirm this. The Via Francigena represents a great opportunity for the tourist and economic development of places that aren’t really affected by great tourist flows, places often defined as “minor”, but which contain a heritage of rural architecture, but not only, they also have a heritage of art, culture, traditions and history. I have often heard the phrase: If I hadn’t passed these places on foot, I would never have had the chance to visit them. In my opinion the Via Francigena is a great opportunity for tourism, economic, cultural and social development and deserves to be valued. This applies to Valle d’Aosta, but also to the entire route“.
