dossier-de-presse-en-2025
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PRESS KIT<br />
<strong>2025</strong>
CONTENTS<br />
PAYS DU SAINT-BERNARD<br />
An auth<strong>en</strong>tic alpine region<br />
Map of villages<br />
Key figures<br />
St. Bernard dogs<br />
WINTER ACTIVITIES<br />
Winter in the great outdoors<br />
Key figures<br />
Map of the slopes<br />
The PASS Saint-Bernard – Winter<br />
The natural ice rink at Champex-Lac<br />
SUMMER ACTIVITIES<br />
A land of landscapes<br />
Key figures<br />
Hiking map<br />
The PASS Saint-Bernard – Summer<br />
The Via Francig<strong>en</strong>a<br />
Lacs <strong>de</strong> F<strong>en</strong>être<br />
CULTURAL HERITAGE<br />
A region with a 1,000-year-old history<br />
Key figures<br />
The artillery fort at Champex-Lac<br />
GASTRONOMY AND TERROIR<br />
A taste of the peaks<br />
Key figures<br />
The Grand-Entremont gift hamper<br />
ACCOMMODATION<br />
From huts to luxury hotels<br />
Key figures<br />
The Alpine Club<br />
A COLOURFUL CALENDAR<br />
FURTHER INFORMATION<br />
AND CONTACTS
PAYS DU<br />
SAINT-BERNARD<br />
AN AUTHENTIC<br />
ALPINE REGION<br />
In an exceptional and largely<br />
unspoilt natural setting, the Pays du<br />
St-Bernard is an op<strong>en</strong> invitation to<br />
discover a wi<strong>de</strong> range of sporting<br />
and cultural activities.<br />
In summer, there's something for<br />
every hiker, with cabins, lakes,<br />
nature reserves, walks alongsi<strong>de</strong> St.<br />
Bernard dogs or treks lasting several<br />
days sure to keep our guests happy<br />
until October, wh<strong>en</strong> our forests are<br />
<strong>de</strong>cked out in their brightest colours.<br />
The summer months can also inclu<strong>de</strong><br />
a visit to the museum and k<strong>en</strong>nels<br />
at the Hospice du Grand-St-Bernard,<br />
one of the best-known in Valais, or<br />
the Flore-Alpe botanical gar<strong>de</strong>n at<br />
Champex-Lac, one of the most prestigious<br />
in the Alps!<br />
In winter, our charming resorts offer<br />
ski and freeri<strong>de</strong> slopes for all levels,<br />
with breathtaking panoramic views,<br />
cross-country ski trails in incredible<br />
natural settings and snowshoe trails<br />
in the heart of our snowy forests.<br />
Proud of their region and their terroir<br />
repres<strong>en</strong>ted by the famous Corbeille<br />
du Grand Entremont, the inhabitants<br />
of the Pays du St-Bernard have kept<br />
alive and well a wealth of traditions<br />
that we look forward to sharing with<br />
you.
MAP OF<br />
THE VILLAGES
2,472m.<br />
Altitu<strong>de</strong> of the<br />
Great Saint<br />
Bernard hospice<br />
1050<br />
Year the hospice<br />
was foun<strong>de</strong>d<br />
3<br />
Bor<strong>de</strong>rs at the<br />
summit of the<br />
Dol<strong>en</strong>t (France,<br />
Italy, Switzerland)
4,314 m.<br />
Height of the<br />
Grand Combin<br />
1<br />
leg<strong>en</strong>dary dog<br />
breed<br />
3 rd<br />
highest road pass<br />
in Switzerland
ST.BERNARD<br />
DOGS<br />
St. Bernard dogs can be recognized<br />
by their massive build and<br />
reddish-brown and white coat.<br />
St. Bernards are known for their<br />
rescue instinct. Their exceptional<br />
s<strong>en</strong>se of smell and height make<br />
them capable of <strong>de</strong>tecting human<br />
life ev<strong>en</strong> un<strong>de</strong>r several metres of<br />
pow<strong>de</strong>r snow.<br />
In 2005, the Barry Foundation<br />
took over the famous St. Bernard<br />
k<strong>en</strong>nel. Since th<strong>en</strong>, the foundation<br />
has be<strong>en</strong> the owner of the<br />
world's ol<strong>de</strong>st breeding facility of<br />
the Swiss national dog. The Barry<br />
Foundation was named after<br />
"Barry", the leg<strong>en</strong>dary avalanche<br />
dog. Its task is to continue the<br />
more than 300-year-old breeding<br />
facility at the St. Bernards place<br />
of origin of and to preserve the<br />
special features of the hospice<br />
dogs.
WINTER<br />
ACTIVITIES
THE WINTER<br />
OF WIDE<br />
OPEN SPACES<br />
An unspoilt region far from the big<br />
ski resorts, the Pays du St-Bernard<br />
offers a wi<strong>de</strong> range of activities with<br />
ski areas perfect for learning to ski,<br />
as well as beautiful cross-country ski<br />
trails and fun activities such as the<br />
sev<strong>en</strong>-kilometre-long sledge run at<br />
La Breya or the natural ice rink on the<br />
froz<strong>en</strong> lake at Champex.<br />
There’s pl<strong>en</strong>ty to keep ski touring fans<br />
<strong>en</strong>tertained with a marked excursion<br />
park at Vichères, a nocturnal op<strong>en</strong>ing<br />
of the run and the restaurant at La<br />
Breya in Champex-lac and above all<br />
40 ski touring itineraries leading to an<br />
altitu<strong>de</strong> of more than 4,000 metres or<br />
to the Fr<strong>en</strong>ch-Italian-Swiss bor<strong>de</strong>r!
1<br />
subscription for<br />
all winter activities<br />
46 km<br />
pass for winter ski<br />
run activities over<br />
three ski areas from<br />
1,490 to 2,270 m<br />
above sea level<br />
7 km<br />
sled run from the<br />
summit of La Breya<br />
to Champex-Lac
MAP OF THE SLOPES
PASS<br />
SAINT-BERNARD<br />
WINTER<br />
Launched in 2016, the PASS<br />
Saint-Bernard is an annual pass<br />
which gives access to more<br />
than 15 activities, including not<br />
only ski areas and cross-country<br />
trails but access to public transport<br />
by bus from Orsières, all<br />
for only CHF 139!<br />
For those who have a ski pass<br />
from another resort, the PASS<br />
Saint- Bernard costs only CHF 69!<br />
Ski aficionados can <strong>en</strong>joy the<br />
PASS Saint-Bernard as well as<br />
the slopes in Verbier at the<br />
beginning and <strong>en</strong>d of the season<br />
for just CHF 199!
THE NATURAL<br />
ICE RINK AT<br />
CHAMPEX-LAC<br />
At an altitu<strong>de</strong> of 1,470 m, the<br />
village of Champex-Lac offers<br />
one of the most beautiful ski<br />
areas in Switzerland. Wh<strong>en</strong> winter<br />
arrives and the lake is transformed<br />
into a huge ice rink over<br />
150 metres long and about 70<br />
metres wi<strong>de</strong>, skaters of all ages<br />
come to <strong>en</strong>joy the <strong>en</strong>chanting<br />
setting of the surrounding<br />
Alps and forest. Champex-Lac is<br />
not nicknamed the "Little Swiss<br />
Canada" by chance!
SUMMER<br />
ACTIVITIES
A LAND OF<br />
LANDSCAPES<br />
With its wi<strong>de</strong> op<strong>en</strong> spaces, the Pays<br />
du St-Bernard becomes a hiking paradise<br />
during the summer months,<br />
with the Mont-Blanc, Combins and<br />
St-Bernard Tours and the cultural<br />
itinerary of the Via Francig<strong>en</strong>a as<br />
highlights. Other more original activities<br />
to discover inclu<strong>de</strong> pedal boats<br />
on Champex Lake with the Combins<br />
mountain range as a backdrop,<br />
"rap jumping" down the wall of the<br />
Toules dam or the Flore-Alpe botanical<br />
gar<strong>de</strong>n at Champex-lac, one of<br />
the largest gar<strong>de</strong>ns in the Alps with<br />
4,000 species!
495 km<br />
marked footpaths<br />
7<br />
mountain bike<br />
routes<br />
10<br />
trail running<br />
routes
4<br />
major excursions:<br />
Mont-Blanc, Grand<br />
Combins, Tour,<br />
Saint-Bernard and<br />
Via Francig<strong>en</strong>a<br />
2<br />
botanical gar<strong>de</strong>ns<br />
19<br />
Alpine pastures
Grand Combin<br />
4314m<br />
Cabane <strong>de</strong> Valsorey<br />
Mont Vélan<br />
3722m<br />
HIKING MAP<br />
Col du Grand<br />
Saint Bernard<br />
2469m<br />
F<strong>en</strong>être <strong>de</strong> Ferret<br />
2695m<br />
Grand Golliat<br />
3238m<br />
Grand Col Ferret<br />
2536m<br />
Mont Dol<strong>en</strong>t<br />
3819m<br />
Gran<strong>de</strong>s<br />
Jorasses<br />
4208m<br />
Mont Blanc<br />
4808m<br />
Glacier <strong>de</strong><br />
Boveire<br />
Cabane du Vélan<br />
Lacs <strong>de</strong> F<strong>en</strong>être<br />
Le Tsavre<br />
2977m<br />
Bivouac du Dol<strong>en</strong>t<br />
Glacier <strong>de</strong> Corbassière<br />
Lac <strong>de</strong>s<br />
Toules<br />
BOURG-SAINT-<br />
BERNARD<br />
Col du Névé<br />
<strong>de</strong> la Rousse<br />
2752m<br />
Ferret<br />
Aiguille d’Arg<strong>en</strong>tière<br />
3898m<br />
Glacier d’Arg<strong>en</strong>tière<br />
Petit Combin<br />
3668m<br />
Pointe <strong>de</strong>s Toules<br />
2726m<br />
BOURG-SAINT-PIERRE<br />
Dranse d’Entremont<br />
Gîte <strong>de</strong><br />
Champlong<br />
Combe <strong>de</strong> l'A<br />
Cabane <strong>de</strong><br />
la Tsissette<br />
Tour <strong>de</strong> Bavon<br />
2476m<br />
Val Ferret<br />
LA FOULY<br />
Dranse <strong>de</strong> Ferret<br />
Cabane <strong>de</strong> l’A Neuve<br />
Cabane <strong>de</strong> Saleinaz<br />
Glacier <strong>de</strong> Saleinaz<br />
Glacier du Tri<strong>en</strong>t<br />
Cabane du Tri<strong>en</strong>t<br />
Pointe d’Orny<br />
3271m<br />
Glacier du Tour<br />
LIDDES<br />
Praz-<strong>de</strong>-Fort<br />
Cabane d’Orny<br />
F<strong>en</strong>être d’Arpette<br />
2665m<br />
Cabane <strong>de</strong> Mille<br />
Vichères<br />
Tsamonay<br />
2111m<br />
La Breya<br />
2374m<br />
Val d'Arpette<br />
Génepi<br />
2882m<br />
Issert<br />
Six Blanc<br />
2445m<br />
Somlaproz<br />
CHAMPEX-LAC<br />
Lac <strong>de</strong> Champex<br />
Pointe Ron<strong>de</strong><br />
2655m<br />
Commeire<br />
Bovine<br />
ORSIERES<br />
Catogne<br />
2598m<br />
Champex d’<strong>en</strong> Bas<br />
La Rosière
PASS<br />
SAINT BERNARD<br />
SUMMER<br />
Launched in 2016, the PASS<br />
Saint-Bernard is a pass that gives<br />
access to a number of activities<br />
in addition to public transport by<br />
bus from Orsières.<br />
During the summer, everyone<br />
staying in accommodation in the<br />
region b<strong>en</strong>efits from the summer<br />
version of the PASS Saint-<br />
Bernard for only CHF 29.
THE VIA<br />
FRANCIGENA<br />
It’s the year 990. After being<br />
ordained Archbishop of<br />
Canterbury by Pope John XV,<br />
Sigeric returned home, noting<br />
on two pages the names of the<br />
80 places where he had stopped<br />
to sp<strong>en</strong>d the night. The Via<br />
Francig<strong>en</strong>a was born! A cultural<br />
itinerary of the Council of Europe<br />
since 1994, it crosses the Alps<br />
via the leg<strong>en</strong>dary Grand-Saint-<br />
Bernard Pass, the highest point<br />
of the route.
THE LACS<br />
DE FENÊTRE<br />
About two hours on foot from<br />
the bottom of the Val Ferret or<br />
the Col du Grand-Saint-Bernard,<br />
the three Lacs <strong>de</strong> F<strong>en</strong>être form a<br />
small paradise on earth. Far from<br />
any trace of humans, the reflections<br />
of Mont-Blanc, the Gran<strong>de</strong>s<br />
Jorasses and the Mont Dol<strong>en</strong>t<br />
shimmer in the cold waters<br />
before becoming postcards!
CULTURAL<br />
HERITAGE
A REGION WITH A<br />
1,000-YEAR-OLD<br />
HISTORY<br />
The Pays du St-Bernard is known for<br />
its emblematic dogs, but it is also<br />
a region rich in cultural heritage.<br />
Already in anci<strong>en</strong>t times, the Romans<br />
un<strong>de</strong>rstood the strategic importance<br />
of the pass and the surrounding area<br />
for tra<strong>de</strong> and pilgrimages. Around<br />
1050, the Arch<strong>de</strong>acon of Aosta<br />
foun<strong>de</strong>d the Hospice du Grand-St-<br />
Bernard, which welcomed travellers<br />
arriving at the pass. The St. Bernard<br />
region has always emphasised hospitality,<br />
while preserving its unique<br />
alpine <strong>en</strong>vironm<strong>en</strong>t.<br />
Mainly agricultural, Valais has<br />
<strong>en</strong>tered the age of tourism with <strong>de</strong>stinations<br />
such as the magnific<strong>en</strong>t<br />
lake resort of Champex. This region<br />
is a treasure trove for travellers in<br />
search of nature and culture, offering<br />
a variety of historical sites, museums<br />
and other places to discover. Come<br />
and explore the Pays du St-Bernard<br />
and find all it has to offer.
18<br />
places of worship<br />
1<br />
mill<br />
2<br />
artillery forts
THE ARTILLERY FORT<br />
AT CHAMPEX-LAC<br />
A fascinating world in the heart<br />
of the mountains with an unusual<br />
atmosphere: a fortress<br />
hid<strong>de</strong>n un<strong>de</strong>r the Alps. The<br />
Champex-Lac artillery fort is the<br />
c<strong>en</strong>tral point of the fortified system<br />
in the Grand St. Bernard<br />
region. Built in 1940 and 1943,<br />
mo<strong>de</strong>rnised and adapted in the<br />
ev<strong>en</strong>t of a possible nuclear conflict<br />
during the Cold War period,<br />
the fort was used by the Swiss<br />
army until 1998. With more than<br />
600 metres of galleries dug into<br />
the mountain and totally invisible<br />
from the outsi<strong>de</strong>, the fort<br />
could house 300 m<strong>en</strong>.
GASTRONOMY<br />
AND TERROIR
A TASTE<br />
OF THE PEAKS<br />
Our region is r<strong>en</strong>owned for its terroir.<br />
Do not hesitate to step insi<strong>de</strong><br />
doors of the various establishm<strong>en</strong>ts<br />
in the region to discover the flavours<br />
of Grand-Entremont.<br />
Fresh and regional produce guaranteed:<br />
be it raclette AOP, spicy<br />
dried meat or <strong>de</strong>liciously spiced rye<br />
bread, the region is filled with culinary<br />
traditions and Alpine <strong>de</strong>lights.<br />
Thanks to its unparalleled geographical<br />
location, the Pays du<br />
St-Bernard <strong>en</strong>joys an i<strong>de</strong>al climate,<br />
which is the source of the richness<br />
of its local products.<br />
Local specialities go hand-in-hand<br />
with high quality gastronomy and<br />
to which you will have no issue<br />
treating yourself to at the many<br />
restaurants in the region.
63<br />
<strong>de</strong>lightful<br />
establishm<strong>en</strong>ts<br />
with a gourmet<br />
restaurant<br />
21<br />
cheese<br />
tasting v<strong>en</strong>ues<br />
2<br />
butcheries
THE GRAND-<br />
ENTREMONT<br />
GIFT HAMPER<br />
La Corbeille d'Entremont was<br />
one of the first local produce<br />
gift hampers in Switzerland.<br />
Launched in 1996, it promotes the<br />
diversity and richness of Grand<br />
Entremont's agriculture, the commitm<strong>en</strong>t<br />
of its producers and the<br />
passion of its artisans in a hamper<br />
that brings together the best its<br />
mountains have to offer for a gift<br />
that is 100% from the region.<br />
Along with the products m<strong>en</strong>tioned<br />
previously, it inclu<strong>de</strong>s<br />
the famous PDO rye bread,<br />
Entremont honey, r<strong>en</strong>owned<br />
for the diversity of its flora, as<br />
well as wines from Vollèges and<br />
Bovernier produced by the best<br />
Valaisan winegrowers.
ACCOMMODATION
FROM HUTS TO<br />
LUXURY HOTELS<br />
Looking for a unique and memorable<br />
travel experi<strong>en</strong>ce? The Pays du<br />
St-Bernard is full of unusual accommodation<br />
that is sure to inspire you.<br />
Nestled in the heart of nature, this<br />
region is known for its warm welcome<br />
and its <strong>de</strong>sire to help travellers<br />
discover all the riches of its territory.<br />
With over 9,500 beds available, the<br />
Pays du St-Bernard has a wi<strong>de</strong> variety<br />
of accommodation to suit all<br />
tastes and budgets.<br />
Choose from a wi<strong>de</strong> range of possibilities,<br />
from campsites to hotels, from<br />
group accommodation to mountain<br />
huts, from hostels to B&Bs and gîtes<br />
(rural holiday r<strong>en</strong>tals). Whatever your<br />
prefer<strong>en</strong>ce, you’ll easily find a reason<br />
to ext<strong>en</strong>d your stay in this picturesque<br />
region to discover all that the<br />
Pays du St-Bernard has to offer.
9<br />
mountain huts<br />
26<br />
hotels and<br />
campsites<br />
17<br />
group<br />
accommodation<br />
options
THE CLUB ALPIN<br />
Inaugurated in 2020, the latest<br />
hotel to be built in the Pays<br />
du St-Bernard is located in<br />
Champex. The Club Alpin offers<br />
rooms, suites and a top quality<br />
spa at its premises by the<br />
lakesi<strong>de</strong>. Its gastronomic restaurant<br />
"Au 1465" has already<br />
be<strong>en</strong> awar<strong>de</strong>d 16 Gault et Millau<br />
points and a Michelin star. The<br />
terrace on the water's edge<br />
alone is worth a visit.
UN A COLOURFUL<br />
AGENDA<br />
HAUT CALENDAR!<br />
COULEURS !<br />
MARCH<br />
END JULY<br />
Erika Hess Op<strong>en</strong> in La Fouly<br />
Champex-Lac craft market<br />
Trophée du St-Bernard<br />
FÉVRIER<br />
Tavolata sur le lac <strong>de</strong> Champex<br />
END JUNE<br />
Bourg <strong>en</strong> glisse<br />
MARS<br />
Op<strong>en</strong> Erika Hess à La Fouly<br />
JULY AND AUGUST<br />
FIN<br />
Daily discovery<br />
JUIN<br />
of the Pays du<br />
St-Bernard region and heritage<br />
Bourg <strong>en</strong> glisse<br />
Fridays on the c<strong>en</strong>tral square of<br />
EN Orsières JUILLET ET AOÛT<br />
Découverte quotidi<strong>en</strong>ne du terroir<br />
EARLY et du patrimoine JULY du Pays du<br />
St-Bernard Trail Verbier St-Bernard by UTMB<br />
DÉBUT END JULY JUILLET<br />
Trail Verbier St-Bernard by UTMB<br />
Trail du Vélan<br />
MI-JUILLET<br />
IAM Champex Chall<strong>en</strong>ge<br />
FIN END JUILLET AUGUST<br />
Trail UTMB, du CCC Vélan and OCC<br />
FIN MID-SEPTEMBER<br />
JUILLET<br />
Marché Désalpe artisanal <strong>de</strong> La Fouly <strong>de</strong> Champex-Lac<br />
(cattle <strong>de</strong>sc<strong>en</strong>t)<br />
FIN AOÛT<br />
EARLY OCTOBER<br />
UTMB, CCC et OCC<br />
Gathering-focused gourmet<br />
MI walk SEPTEMBRE<br />
around Val Ferret<br />
Désalpe <strong>de</strong> La Fouly<br />
DECEMBER<br />
DÉBUT St. Nicholas OCTOBRE<br />
Day<br />
Bala<strong>de</strong> gourman<strong>de</strong> autour<br />
<strong>de</strong> la chasse du Val Ferret<br />
DÉCEMBRE<br />
Fête <strong>de</strong> Saint-Nicolas
FURTHER<br />
INFORMATION<br />
AND CONTACT<br />
DETAILS<br />
MEDIA CONTACTS<br />
Angela Zoratti<br />
angela.zoratti@saint-bernard.ch<br />
+41 27 775 23 81<br />
#MyPSB