Unusual night at the top of the pass
Presentation
Practical information
1000 years of hospitality at the Grand-Saint-Bernard pass
The Grand Saint Bernard pass, connecting northern and southern Europe, has always been a busy and challenging route to cross. If the weather was favorable, another danger threatened pilgrims, travelers, and merchants. They were often robbed by brigands who had taken up residence along this path. Regularly seeing travelers arriving terrified and stripped of their belongings, Bernard de Menthon, the archdeacon of Aosta, built in 1050 the Hospice du Grand-Saint-Bernard or Hospice du Grand-Saint-Bernard, a refuge for travelers in peril that would later bear his name.
Open to everyone, believers or not, the hospice - and its baroque church, the highest in Europe - has continued this tradition of hospitality for 1000 years and welcomes travelers throughout the year.
Like Saint Bernard, the canons have also thought about modern travelers and have opened the inn of the hospice, more comfortable - it was renovated in 2013 - and with more flexible hours. At 2473 m altitude, there are thirty cozy rooms and a restaurant offering Swiss specialties, where monastic beers are also served. The museum traces the history of the hospice from Antiquity to the present day, where one can notably learn the anecdote related to the passage of Napoleon and his army during the march to the Battle of Marengo. The hotel bill of the first consul to the hospice was settled by François Mitterrand, some 180 years later!
And the Saint Bernard dogs?
From the 17th century, the monks surrounded themselves with large dogs intended for guarding and defense. These mountain dogs were quickly put to work accompanying travelers, breaking trails in the snow, and saving those who had lost their way in the snow and fog, thanks to their Samaritan qualities: strength, exceptional sense of smell, and highly developed sense of direction!
Today, Saint Bernard dogs are no longer used for rescues, as they are too heavy, and the Barry Foundation (named after the most famous rescue dog of the Grand Saint Bernard) located in Martigny ensures the continuity of the breed, and each summer the kennel at the pass is open with about fifteen dogs.
Visiting the Hospice du Grand-Saint-Bernard is a unique experience that combines history and spirituality amidst a spectacular mineral landscape. However, the famous road of the Grand-Saint-Bernard, with its pass peaking at 2473 m altitude between Switzerland and Italy, is only open during the summer, from June to mid-October. In winter, one can only reach it by skis or snowshoes (and with all the precautions required by the high mountains), you have been warned!
✯ Inn open from early June to mid-October ✯
✯ Hospice open all year round ✯
The Grand Saint Bernard pass, connecting northern and southern Europe, has always been a busy and challenging route to cross. If the weather was favorable, another danger threatened pilgrims, travelers, and merchants. They were often robbed by brigands who had taken up residence along this path. Regularly seeing travelers arriving terrified and stripped of their belongings, Bernard de Menthon, the archdeacon of Aosta, built in 1050 the Hospice du Grand-Saint-Bernard or Hospice du Grand-Saint-Bernard, a refuge for travelers in peril that would later bear his name.
Open to everyone, believers or not, the hospice - and its baroque church, the highest in Europe - has continued this tradition of hospitality for 1000 years and welcomes travelers throughout the year.
Like Saint Bernard, the canons have also thought about modern travelers and have opened the inn of the hospice, more comfortable - it was renovated in 2013 - and with more flexible hours. At 2473 m altitude, there are thirty cozy rooms and a restaurant offering Swiss specialties, where monastic beers are also served. The museum traces the history of the hospice from Antiquity to the present day, where one can notably learn the anecdote related to the passage of Napoleon and his army during the march to the Battle of Marengo. The hotel bill of the first consul to the hospice was settled by François Mitterrand, some 180 years later!
And the Saint Bernard dogs?
From the 17th century, the monks surrounded themselves with large dogs intended for guarding and defense. These mountain dogs were quickly put to work accompanying travelers, breaking trails in the snow, and saving those who had lost their way in the snow and fog, thanks to their Samaritan qualities: strength, exceptional sense of smell, and highly developed sense of direction!
Today, Saint Bernard dogs are no longer used for rescues, as they are too heavy, and the Barry Foundation (named after the most famous rescue dog of the Grand Saint Bernard) located in Martigny ensures the continuity of the breed, and each summer the kennel at the pass is open with about fifteen dogs.
Visiting the Hospice du Grand-Saint-Bernard is a unique experience that combines history and spirituality amidst a spectacular mineral landscape. However, the famous road of the Grand-Saint-Bernard, with its pass peaking at 2473 m altitude between Switzerland and Italy, is only open during the summer, from June to mid-October. In winter, one can only reach it by skis or snowshoes (and with all the precautions required by the high mountains), you have been warned!
✯ Inn open from early June to mid-October ✯
✯ Hospice open all year round ✯
Hospice du Grand-Saint-Bernard
1946 Bourg-Saint-Pierre, Suisse
Tel : +41 (0)27 787 12 36
Fax : +41 (0)27 787 11 07
From 32 CHF1946 Bourg-Saint-Pierre, Suisse
Tel : +41 (0)27 787 12 36
Fax : +41 (0)27 787 11 07
Pricing details
Tariffs 2021, from 32 CHF per night with breakfast in a dormitory of the Hospice du Grand-Saint-Bernard or Hospice du Grand-Saint-Bernard (and from 119 CHF in a room at the inn).Authentic local and gourmet breakfast: bread baked on-site, artisanal and monastic jams, valley cheeses, seasonal fruits, etc.
..:: At the Inn ::..
overnight stay with breakfast
⊹ in Marmotte room (1-2 pers.), from 119 to 149CHF
⊹ in Chamois room (1-2 pers.) with view of the Alps, 159CHF
⊹ in Bouquetin room (1-3 pers.), three beds and lounge area, 199CHF
Inn open from early June to mid-October
30 rooms equipped with a private bathroom (WC + shower). Toiletry products and hairdryer. No television, free Wi-Fi connection.
One room equipped for people with reduced mobility, four family rooms.
At lunchtime, daily menus and à la carte options, evening menu from 29 CHF (16 CHF for children)
Vegan, gluten-free or lactose-free alternatives available for all meals.
Baby bed (0-24 months), free (on request)
Extra bed for ages 2 to 12, 30 CHF, breakfast included (on request, only in certain rooms)
Dog, 10 CHF (on request, only in certain rooms)
Free outdoor parking for cars and motorcycles in front of the Inn. Garage available for bicycles.
..:: At the Hospice ::...
overnight stay with breakfast in dormitories or shared rooms, shared facilities, communal meals
⊹ in dormitory, 32 CHF (half-board, 50 CHF or full-board, 67 CHF)
⊹ in room, from 47 CHF (half-board, 65CHF or full-board, 80CHF)
⊹ spiritual retreat in dormitories, 28 CHF (half-board, 40 CHF and full-board, 50 CHF).
For children, free up to 6 years old and half-price from 7 to 12 years old.
Hospice open all year round
Please note, an individual sleeping bag (silk or cotton) is mandatory in dormitories. Possibility to purchase one on-site.
Note: All prices are provided for informational purposes only and must be confirmed directly with the establishment.
Comments
2h30 walk in winter from Bourg-Saint-Bernard where you can leave your vehicle. Access also available by bus via the line connecting Martigny to Bourg-Saint-Bernard.
