Great St Bernard Hospice
Bourg-Saint-Pierre, Switzerland
A hospice at 2,469 m run by Augustinian canons since the 11th century, beside a lake on the Italian border, with St Bernard dogs in summer. The pass road is open roughly June to October; the tunnel below is toll.
The Great St Bernard Hospice stands at 2,469 metres in the Valais Alps, in the municipality of Bourg-Saint-Pierre, only a few hundred metres from the Italian border. It was founded around 1050 by Bernard of Menthon to help travellers, and has been run since its foundation by a community of canons. The pass has been used since at least the Bronze Age; under Emperor Claudius a Roman road was built with a temple to Jupiter Poeninus, and in May 1800 Napoleon led some 40,000 men across it.
The famous St Bernard dogs have been bred by the Barry Foundation in Martigny since 2004. The historic pass road is passable only from June to September (as of October 2026: closed after that). Since 1964 a road tunnel has run beneath the pass. A small lake lies at the top and is frozen for about 265 days a year.
- Nearest town
- Bourg-Saint-Pierre, Switzerland
- Category
- History & culture
- GPS
- 45.8692, 7.1706
- Editor's pick
- ★
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually July. Still fine, with some compromises, in June and August–September. Cold, short days in November–March. Mountain passes on this route are usually open June–September. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- Switzerland: Vignette needed for motorways. Vehicles over 3.5 t pay the heavy vehicle charge instead of the vignette. Motorway limit for cars: 120 km/h.
- Col du Grand-Saint-Bernard (2,469 m). Usually open June–September; outside that window the road can be closed by snow. Alternative: The Great St Bernard tunnel is open all year.
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
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Campsites nearby
- Camping des GlaciersCampsite9 km from Great St Bernard HospiceTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersDogs allowedWi-Fi
- Gran CombinCampsite13 km from Great St Bernard HospiceTentsCaravansMotorhomesElectricityDogs allowedWi-Fi
- Camping EuropaCampsite14 km from Great St Bernard HospiceTentsCaravansMotorhomesElectricityWaste disposalDogs allowed
- Arc en CielCampsite17 km from Great St Bernard HospiceTentsCaravansMotorhomesElectricityToiletsDogs allowed
- Camping Lac LexertCampsite18 km from Great St Bernard HospiceTentsCaravansMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterWaste disposalDogs allowed
- Camping du ParcCampsite18 km from Great St Bernard HospiceTentsCaravansMotorhomesElectricityWaste disposalDogs allowed
All campsites in Switzerland · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Great St Bernard Hospice?
Great St Bernard Hospice is in Bourg-Saint-Pierre, Switzerland, at GPS 45.8692, 7.1706. It is about 8 km from Etroubles.
Can you camp near Great St Bernard Hospice?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Camping Pineta, about 6 km away; within 25 km there are 44 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Great St Bernard Hospice?
Great St Bernard Hospice is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Valais side valleys: St Bernard, Dixence and Anniviers.
What is there to see near Great St Bernard Hospice?
Places worth a stop nearby: Mer de Glace (20 km), Aiguille du Midi (22 km), Fénis Castle (29 km) and Grande Dixence Dam (30 km).
When is the best time to visit Great St Bernard Hospice?
The most pleasant months are usually July. Still fine, with some compromises, in June and August–September. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)