Catinat, advancing from Fenestrelle and Susa to the relief Pinerolo, defended by the count of Tessé and which the duke of Savoy was besieging, took up a position in formal order of battle north of the village of Marsaglia, near Orbassano.
The most famous local is Sonia Gandhi, who was raised here, although she was actually born in Lusiana, near Vicenza.