(ANSA) - PARIS - A massive snow globe has arrived in Paris in front of the Louvre following stops in Barcelona and Brussels to promote the mountains in the north valley of Susa. The event was attended by Piedmont Tourism councillor Alberto Cirio and the Mayor of Paris's first Arrondissment Jean Francois Legaret. Speaking at the ceremony, Legaret recalled that the snow globe, or boule a' neige, which became so popular in the second half of the 1900s, had originated in France. These first went on public display in Paris during the first Expo, staged in 1878.

Paris is the third and final stage in an international voyage that has seen the large-scale crystal ball, almost five metres in diameter and four metres high, travel first to Barcelona (December 2-3) and then to Brussels (December 6-7). Its interior features a plastic reproduction of the mountains of the North Susa Valley mountains, complete with snowboard, skis, Olympic torch, an enormous chocolate, a bottle of wine and signposts marking the locations of the area's various towns. Visitors - who have so far numbered over 10,000 in Barcelona and Brussels - can enter the snow globe in person, to experience and 'explore' the mountains, complete with a gentle snowfall. The aim is to introduce visitors to the local specialties and deals available at Bardonecchia Ski and the Via Lattea. There is also a prize draw for accommodation for the 2011-2012 winter season, while more details can be found at the website www.turismotorino.org/it/alpiaaltavalsusa.

Cirio explained that the French capital is a key target market for the Susa Alps valley, both because typical Parisian visitors are likely to be particularly responsive to Italian attractions and because of the high-speed TGV train connections operated by SNCF, which provide affordable connections of just a few hours between the French capital and towns such as Oulx and Bardonecchia. (ANSA).