Elegant, refined, and cozy with its ancient buildings and historic cafés, this Italian city, an hour from Milan, is considered the “Little Paris of Italy.” Once the seat of the royal Savoy family when they ruled the Kingdom of Sardinia and chosen as the first Italian capital, this city is Turin.
Its ancient buildings with their Baroque and Neoclassical lines from the Savoy period, historic cafés, elegant boutiques in the center, theaters, and good quality of life give Turin a Parisian feel.
Turin, the “Little Paris”
Photo: Unsplash / Piermario Eva
Those who know it will remember the long continuous arcades with historic cafés, churches, and palaces in full Savoy style, such as those in Piazza Castello: Palazzo Reale and Palazzo Madama.
But the question arises, and I have asked myself the same thing. Why compare Turin to Paris, apart from the elegance and neoclassical style mentioned above? Turin has elegant architectural lines, long porticoes, regular squares, and a Savoy style influenced by France.
How was Turin 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 city’s aesthetics.
Photo: Unsplash / Maël BALLAND
This nickname of “Little Paris” has its roots 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 Neoclassical styles, creating a harmony between elegance and grandeur. It later became the capital of Italy. Given its glorious past, Turin still bears traces of its ancient splendor.
Let’s take a look at Palazzo Madama (whose name derives from 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 a très chic taste.
Where to go to admire the beauty of Turin
photo: Unsplash / Antonio Sessa
- It is only right to start from Piazza Castello, surrounded by historic buildings such as the Royal Palace and the Teatro Regio. This square is the perfect starting point for exploring the rest of the city.
- Next, admire the Mole Antonelliana, the symbol of the city, and take a tour inside, where you will find the Cinema Museum. If you don’t suffer from vertigo, take the elevator to the top.
- Then stroll along Via Roma, dotted with high-fashion boutiques and historic cafés, where you can breathe in an air of Italian elegance reminiscent of the boulevards of Paris.
- Stop at Piazza San Carlo: one of the most elegant and regular squares in the historic center of Turin. On both sides of the square are long arcades with vaulted arches, typical of the Savoy style, outdoor cafés, shops, and boutiques. Considered the living room of Turin, this square is truly a treat.
- The Egyptian Museum: the largest in the world with an incredible heritage.
- Valentino Park: to truly 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 let’s talk about Milan with its little Notting Hill. So many realities that fit together like Russian nesting dolls. Isn’t the world beautiful?
