Tour Laydetré

The complex called Tour Laydetré, or Villette fortified mansion, is an important medieval relic in Cogne. Built in 1270, it was originally intended for the summer stay of the Bishop of Aosta and Count of Cogne. Today, its rooms are used for private use, preserving local history.
The whole, in stone, has undergone many transformations. In 1531, a fire severely damaged the tower, which was immediately restored. Vittorio Emanuele II, King of Italy, had tried to turn it into a royal hunting cabin. However, by 1854, thanks to Canon Anselme Romuald Guichardaz, the tower had already become a homeless shelter, and things did not change. Over the years, the shelter was transformed into supportive housing for the elderly, thanks to an annexed modern structure that remained active until the 2000s.
The main tower still has a beautiful mullioned window with pointed arches crowned by the crosier, a symbol of the bishop and other medieval traces. The front complex, known as Villa Giacosa-Malvezzi, was expanded and renovated in the 20th century and restored in the 1920s. With a rectangular plan, on the larger side, there are two interesting original pointed arch entrances; on the smaller side, you can still see where the old sloping roof of the house once stood. In 1915, near the original door, the captain of Albertis of Genoa made a sundial, recently restored by the owners. Today, the Tour Laydetré offers a fascinating journey through the history of Cogne, combining ancient architectural elements with modern needs while always preserving a great testimony of the past.