Balme (so also in Piedmontese, Bàrmes in Franco-Provençal) is an Italian town of 110 inhabitants in the metropolitan city of Turin in Piedmont, inhabited since ancient times (14th Century).

Balme is the highest municipality in the Val d'Ala. The latter is part of the Graian Alps and is the central one of the three valleys that converge on Lanzo Torinese (Val grande di Lanzo, Val d'Ala and Valle di Viù), commonly known as Valli di Lanzo.The town owes its fame to the presence of water sources considered of great value; each house in the area has its own fountain gushing fresh water.

The name Balme, in the local dialect Bàrmes, derives from the word balma of Celtic origin which indicates the numerous rock shelters in the area.

Since 1922, the water collected at Pian della Mussa quenches the thirst of part of the city of Turin.

Regarding the photo, I was going down towards the valley after a day spent shooting the many beauties of the Valley in its highest part, called Pian della Mussa. While through the small village of Balme, I notice on the right a glimpse where the major peaks of the area are visible, illuminated by the warm light of the sunset. I ran the equipment (a Syrp motorized head that controls the super telephoto at 400mm) and composed the image as you see it now ...