Musée de l’Hospice du Grand-Saint-Bernard
Museum in the Grand St. Bernard Hospice (2,472 m) on the history, nature and culture of the pass, with a treasury and a Baroque church.
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About the museum
The Grand St. Bernard has been a crossing between Italy and the rest of Europe since prehistoric times. For almost a thousand years canons have lived on the pass and taken in everyone who passes by; the hospice lies on the Swiss side at 2,472 meters, on the route linking Canterbury with Rome. The community of canons of the Grand St. Bernard runs the hospice, church, treasury and museum.
The museum displays around 1,350 archaeological objects as well as collections of stuffed animals, insects and minerals. They tell the story of the pass and its natural and cultural heritage. The tour always ends with an exhibition that changes every summer.
The hospice's Baroque church is considered the highest in Europe. The first church dates from the 13th century; its present form dates from 1686. The treasury displays the most beautiful liturgical objects of the congregation, set within a museography with works by the artist Kim En Joong. In summer the famous Saint Bernard dogs also spend their time at the pass.
Highlights
- Around 1,350 archaeological objects on the history of the pass
- Collections of stuffed animals, insects and minerals
- Treasury with liturgical objects and works by Kim En Joong
- Baroque church from the 17th century, considered the highest in Europe
- Saint Bernard dogs, which spend the summer at the pass
Permanent exhibitions
- Museum des Hospizes: Geschichte, Kultur und Natur des Passes – Archaeological finds, stuffed animals, insects and minerals show the history of the Grand St. Bernard and its natural and cultural heritage.
- Kirche und Schatzkammer – The Baroque hospice church and the treasury with the congregation's most precious liturgical objects.
- Operated by
- Chorherren des Grossen St. Bernhard
Admission & discounts
| Adults | CHF 12 |
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| Children & teens | CHF 7free up to age 7 · Children aged 0 to 7 free. |
| Seniors | CHF 10 |
| Students & apprentices | CHF 7Students and apprentices up to age 24 |
| Groups (10+ people) | CHF 10 per personFrom 10 people: adults 10, seniors 8, children 5, students and apprentices 5 |
Converted into euros at the daily rate; card payment accepted. According to the website, visiting the church is free.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 7 |
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Children up to age 7 enter free; the Saint Bernard dogs spend the summer at the pass.
Getting there & parking
By car
In winter, cars can be parked at the square in Bourg-Saint-Bernard at the exit of the tunnel gallery (Swiss side).
The pass road on the Swiss side is open from early summer to mid-October, depending on snow conditions; in winter the ascent from Bourg-Saint-Bernard on foot takes about 2.5 hours.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Restaurant
- Museum shop
The Auberge de l'Hospice (open in summer only) has a restaurant with regional products and a souvenir shop.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Good to know | A 15-minute film on the history of the pass (French, Italian, German, English) is shown on request. |
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