The Pope
The village of “Les Combes” is located on a morainic buttress along the central valley, between the villages of Introd and Arlier and offers a spectacular scenary. How to resist the beauty of the views on the Mont-Blanc, the Ruthor, the Emilius, the Becca di Nona and the Mont-Rose Mountains. These splendid panoramic views are as many invitations to go on a trip following the pathways that wind along the hoods and the pastures and to enjoy the tranquility of the nature.
Since 1989, the Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI have chosen Les Combes as their favorite summer stay location. In the last years, this little village has been honorated by the presence of the Roman Church Chief not less than 12 times.

John Paul II
During his holidays, the Saint Father was alternating excursions in the mountains and intensive praying and meditation moments, enabled by the quietness of the place and the discretion of its inhabitants. During his trips, the Pope often met people, generally shepherds or inhabitants of the place, and sometimes tourists. He had a good word, a smile, a benediction or even a little rosary given as a gift for any of them.

Benedict XVI
Confirming the choice of its predecessor, the new Roman Church Chief has chosen the chalet in Les Combes as his favorite summer stay residence for relaxation and spiritual regeneration. As a lover of meditation, the Saint Father has found in his summer estate a perfect refuge for reading and praying, as well as for practising his young boy passion: the music. He plays the piano put at his disposal by the Aosta Diocese. During his stay, Pope Benedict XVI alternates working moments with wanders in the nearby relaxing upland of Les Combes.

The Museum
A museum dedicated to the pilgrimages of Pope John Paul II has been created by the municipality of Introd within a beautiful stone building, in the village of Les Combes. The house hosting the museum is so close to the Chapel of the village that it could seem a natural annex.
The museum contains fotos and films that illustrate the many trips of the Saint Father around the world, as well as his presence in Aosta Valley. A presence that goes back as far as 1986, when John Paul II came for the first time in our region for a pastoral visit. In addition to the fotos, one can have a look at some objects, sacred and not, given by the many different comunities met by the Pope during his pilgrimages. The filatelic section contains a collection of stamps issued in the countries to which the Pope went during his apostleship. Finally, the numismatic section shows the entire numismatic production realized during the John Paul II Pontificate.

“What a awesomeness you feel looking at the world from above, and contemplating this wonderful panorama from a general perspective. The eye never gets tired of admiring, nor the heart of going upper” John Paul II (8/9/1986 after having been on the Mont Blanc).