The Vaudois of Piedmont: A Visit to Their Valleys

The narrator, a London vicar, sets out from the tranquil shores of Lake Maggiore in spring 1871, travelling by boat and train into the rugged valleys of Piedmont. His vivid observations of blooming hills, mist‑cleared waters, and the modest yet proud towns introduce listeners to the landscape that has cradled the Waldenses for centuries. Along the way he meets the local pastor and is welcomed into a newly built temple that signals the community’s shift from centuries of persecution to a newfound openness.

The work combines that personal travelogue with a compact history of the Vaudois, tracing their emergence in the 12th‑century mountains, their distinctive creed, the waves of papal oppression, and the gradual restoration that culminated in the 1848 edict of emancipation. Detailed maps and concise chapters explain the valleys’ geography, the organization of the Waldensian Church, and the social challenges they faced up to the mid‑19th century. Though written as a handy guide for visitors, the book offers a clear picture of a resilient faith and its enduring cultural footprint.