Cherasco (population 9,000) is the world capital of the edible snail. The Istituto Internazionale di Elicicoltura (International Institute of Snail Farming — yes, it exists) is based here, and the town's restaurants serve lumache (Helix Pomatia) in preparations that range from traditional (with garlic butter and parsley) to contemporary (with Barolo reduction and hazelnuts). The second specialty: Baci di Cherasco — hazelnut-chocolate kisses invented in 1881 by confectioner Giuseppe Barbero, made with Piemonte hazelnuts and dark chocolate. The town itself is a grid-plan borgo of baroque and medieval architecture, with four monumental churches along the main Via Vittorio Emanuele, and the Palazzo Salmatoris where Napoleon signed the armistice with Piedmont-Sardinia in 1796. Piedmont → · Langhe →
Plan my Langhe trip →The snails: Osteria La Lumaca (€25-35 — the full lumaca experience from antipasto to secondo), Ristorante Napoleone (€30-45 — lumache alla cherascese, the local preparation). The snail festival (Fiera della Lumaca, early September) brings producers and chefs. Baci di Cherasco: Pasticceria Barbero (the original — Via Vittorio Emanuele). €15-25/box. Palazzo Salmatoris: Now an exhibition space — the room where Napoleon signed the armistice is preserved. The four churches: Walk Via Vittorio Emanuele and enter Sant'Agostino (baroque), San Pietro (14th century, frescoes), the Santuario del Popolo, and Santa Maria del Popolo. The Arco di Belvedere: The town gate framing a view of the Alps — Monviso on clear days.
Getting there: car from Alba (15min), Bra (8min), Turin (1h). Train to Bra (8km) on the Turin-Bra line. Stay: €50-90/night. Eat: snails + baci + Barolo = the Cherasco trilogy. Combine with: Barolo (20min), Alba (15min), Bra (8min — Slow Food headquarters, Cheese festival), Pollenzo (5min — University of Gastronomic Sciences).