28. BOURG-ST-PIERRE - HOSPICE DU GD-ST-BERNARD

The Great St Bernard pass

At an altitude of 2,469 m, the Grand-St-Bernard pass is the third highest pass in Switzerland and is the main connection between Western Switzerland and Italy.

The hospice that is located here is a shelter that was built around 1050. Today bred by the Fondation Barry, the Saint Bernard dogs were initially raised by canons to carry loads and subsequently to search for avalanche victims. Legend has it that Barry I, the most famous of them, saved the lives of more than 40 people.