Centro visitatori del Parco Nazionale Gran Paradiso 'Bentornato Gipeto!'

The “Bentornato Gipeto” visitor centre is located at Chanavey, in Rhêmes-Notre-Dame, within Gran Paradiso National Park. Its exhibition explores the bearded vulture’s disappearance from the Alps and its return through conservation work, with displays on the species’ biology and the park’s birdlife.

Why it matters

The centre interprets the history of the bearded vulture, or gipeto, in the Alps and the conservation effort that led to its return. Its focus connects the natural history of a distinctive scavenger with the broader work of protecting wildlife in Gran Paradiso National Park.

What to notice

The exhibition includes a reconstruction of a bearded vulture nest, an ossuary illustrating the bird’s bone-feeding behaviour, and a model explaining its gliding flight. Panels, recorded sounds and images introduce other birds of the park. A virtual-reality installation presents the Gran Paradiso landscape, alongside a projection room and space for temporary exhibitions.

Context and history

The centre is part of the network of visitor centres run by Gran Paradiso National Park with Fondation Grand Paradis. Its permanent exhibition follows the bearded vulture’s decline and return, while also situating the species within the park’s wider alpine environment. The centre also serves as an Alpine Convention information point.