In a community of just 347 permanent residents, at least 40 offered regular support and shelter. He says helping people in need is a reflex all montagnards have that doesn't stop with tourists and hikers but extends to all human beings. Jean-Gabriel defines the locals as montagnards, meaning mountain dwellers. And we'd also put in Betadine to stop infection.' 'We’d let them in, we’d take off their shoes and socks and gloves, we’d soak their hands and feet in water at 37 degrees because you mustn’t heat them too quickly. 'They often had frozen hands and feet because their socks and shoes had got wet,' says Jean-Gabriel, adding that it was the first time he'd seen black people with frostbite. Jean-Gabriel Ravary is a mountain guide and resident of Névache who helps migrants | Photo: Dany Mitzman / InfoMigrants Frozen hands and feet

Mountain guide, Jean-Gabriel Ravary, remembers how villagers went out of their way to protect those complete strangers arriving from the mountains and knocking on their doors.

On the other side of the pass, in the French village of Névache, the sudden appearance six years ago of migrants, weary from their trek over the mountains, sparked a similar reaction among the local community as it had in Bardonecchia. But to get up and over the Col de L'Échelle and into France proper is a perilous climb, one that many migrants nevertheless consider their best chance of crossing the border. Most people are unaware that the area below the mountain on the Italian side is already French territory. The small town of Bardonecchia in the upper part of the Susa Valley nestles under the Col de L'Échelle (Colle della Scala) mountain pass. 🎧 Subscribe to Tales from the Border, and listen to previous episodes here. The audio feature format consists of eight episodes launched Novemon Spotify, Apple Podcasts and other platforms. This article is part of a series complementing our podcast 'Tales from the Border'.

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