Valle d'Aosta
Gran San Bernardo - Etroubles

Etroubles

Etroubles

The village of Etroubles lies in the middle of the Great St. Bernard Valley. Since ancient times it has been the small capital of the valley, a strategic defense point and the center of facilities. It is mentioned in the Roman documents of the imperial age with the name of Restopolis and was probably the winter headquarters of the garrison of the Pass. Very important in the Middle Ages were the square tower, built in the XII century on old Roman foundations in the hamlet of Vachery, the medieval church in the village of which only the Romanic bell tower remains, as well as a pilgrims' hospice founded in 1317 and open to the public up to the last century. The most important historical event, in recent centuries, was the passage of Napoleon and his army in May 1800. Etroubles is on the via Francigena, the road that in the Middle Ages led from the British Isles to Rome and Jerusalem, across Europe and the Great St. Bernard Pass.

The medieval village of Etroubles is worth a visit. It is quite interesting and pleasant to stroll along the cobbled lanes of the village and to admire the newly renovated houses in local stone with stone-tiled roofs, the splendid drinking fountains with cool water coming from the Mont Velan, the bell tower that rings on the hour, the XIX-century church with frescoes and paintings. The various bars and restaurants on the main street, along the main road and in the villages are characteristic and welcoming.

Etroubles is surrounded by an amphitheatre of magnificent mountains: Mont Velan (3734 m), Tete de Barasson (2963 m), Mont Chenaille (3144 m), La Salliaousa (3322 m), Tete de Faudery (3299 m), Mont Fallere (3090 m). You can easily reach, on foot or by car, the hamlets of Eternod (1645 m), Bezet (1629 m), Prailles (1555), Veyaz (15550), Pallais (1482 m), Cerisey (1410 m), La Collere (1360 m), Vachery (1340 m), Chez Les Blanc (1200 m), Lavanche (1245 m), Echevennoz (1200 m), from where you can enjoy magnificent views. Besides the beautiful alpine landscape, the area has an important variety of flora and wildlife. It is an interesting region for those who want to go on easy excursions in the mountains, as well as for those who want to do some hiking across non- contaminated valleys.

As the climatic conditions are good (good exposure to the sun, not too high above sea level, and particularly low degree of humidity) the village of Etroubles and its surroundings are the ideal place for summer or winter holidays.
Courtesy of the AIAT Gran San Bernardo

Etroubles - Photo © Simple Solutions