Elegant, refined and collected with its ancient palaces and historic cafes this Italian city an hour from Milan is considered the“Little Paris of Italy.” Once home to the royal family of Savoy when they were in charge of the Kingdom of Sardinia and chosen as Italy’s first capital this city is Turin.
Its ancient palaces with their baroque and neoclassical lines from the Savoy period, historic cafes, elegant boutiques in the center, its theaters and a good quality of life make Turin a city with a Parisian flavor.
Turin the “little Paris”
For those who know it will remember the long porticoes continuous with historic cafes, churches and palaces in full Savoy style, such as those in Piazza Castello: Palazzo Reale and Palazzo Madama .
But the question comes to me, too. Why place Turin side by side with Paris, apart from the elegance and neoclassical style mentioned above Turin has elegant architectural lines, long arcades, regular squares and a Savoy style influenced by France.
How has Turin been influenced by France:
- political issues: ties, marriages between France and the Duchy of Savoy
- cultural issues: many French architects and artists worked in Turin, influencing the aesthetics of the city.
This nickname “Little Paris” is rooted in the history of the city, which in the 18th century was chosen as the capital of the Kingdom of Sardinia and was influenced by Baroque and Neoclassicism, creating a harmony between elegance and grandeur. And then the capital of Italy. Given its glorious past, Turin still carries traces of its ancient splendors.
We see Palazzo Madama ( named after Marie-Christine of France, wife of Victor Amadeus I of Savoy, who lived there in the 17th century-just to stay on the subject of relations with the French-speaking country), the Royal Palace, the Reggia di Venaria and others. All examples of a solemn, elegant Turin with très chic taste.
Where to go to admire the beauty of Turin
- It is a must to start from Piazza Castello: surrounded by historic buildings such as the Royal Palace and the Teatro Regio. This square is a perfect starting point to explore the rest of the city.
- Then you have to admire the Mole Antonelliana, symbol of the city, and take a tour inside where the Cinema Museum is located. If you are not afraid of heights, take the elevator and climb to the top.
- Then stroll down Via Roma, dotted with high-fashion boutiques and historic cafes, where there is an air of Italian elegance reminiscent of Parisian boulevards.
- Stop at Piazza San Carlo: one of the most elegant and regular squares in Turin’s historic center. On both sides of the square are long arcades with vaulted arches, typical of the Savoy style, outdoor cafes, stores and boutiques. Considered the living room of Turin, this square is truly a pampering.
- The Egyptian Museum: the largest in the world with an incredible heritage.
- Valentino Park: to really fall in love with the city among tree-lined avenues and roses, you can immerse yourself in the tranquility of the greenery.
Have we convinced you? Is it worth organizing a trip? And we want to talk about Milan with its little Notting Hill. So many realities that fit one inside the other a bit like matryoshkas. What a beautiful world isn’t it?