History of the Alps

In 1942, Roger Frison-Roche shed light on the profession of mountain guide in his famous novel Premier de cordée. The world then discovered the exceptional know-how of these pass-keepers, who until then had remained in the shadow of the highest summits. Here, I tell you the story of the guardians of the Alps, seasoned mountaineering virtuosos. The guardians of the Alps : Pass guardians from Antiquity to the Renaissance Since ancient times, armies have called on mountain dwellers to guide them through the twists and turns of these hostile places. Crossing the passes is a necessity if you want to ...

Iconic mountaineer and renowned cartographer, visionary explorer and genius photographer, Bradford Washburn reinvents the art of the mountain as he makes history. Resolutely and passionately, he joins summits to better sublimate them. Alongside his wife Barbara Washburn, he has devoted his life to the breathtaking natural world, from the heights of Alaska to the far reaches of the Himalayas. Portrait of a legendary adventurer, Bradford Washburn, precursor of high-mountain aerial photography. Bradford Washburn: Birth of a legendary mountaineer at summit de l'Aiguille Verte Henry Bradford Washburn Jr. was born on June 7, 1910 in ...

Combative and determined, Gaston Rébuffat clung to the mountains as he grasped life, with a fiery passion mingled with elegance. From the calanques of Marseille, he became one of the most brilliant mountaineers of his time. Holder of the most daring records, he was the first man to successfully climb the six great north faces of the Alps. A member of the historic summit expedition to Annapurna in 1950, and a renowned writer and film-maker, he will always be remembered as one of the most famous mountain guides in the Chamonix valley. Portrait of Gaston Rébuffat, poet of the peaks and exceptional mountaineer. Gaston Rébuffat ...

Lionel Terray, a prodigious mountaineer with a legendary destiny, lives to the rhythm of the mountains and their titanic peaks. Nourishing his heart with the scent of the peaks, his body clings to the rock as if they were one. From the highest summits of the Alps to the eternal snows of the Himalayas, from the fabulous Andes to the ice of Alaska, he triumphs over the most perilous crossings. Portrait of an exceptional adventurer, mountaineer Lionel Terray, virtuoso conqueror of the high mountains. Lionel Terray: Birth of an exceptional mountaineer in the French Alps On July 25, 1921, in Grenoble, France, a star was born. Conqueror of the ...

An adventurer of the skies with a visionary soul, Eduard Spelterini lives his life as he flies the skies. Guided by the winds, he follows his instincts across the Alps and around the world. Bold and determined, he wanted to make his mark. This aerostat ace, an avant-gardist of heights, never ceased to innovate, challenging all obstacles to resist him. Today, his timeless work is a priceless heritage. Portrait of Eduard Spelterini, legendary balloonist and pioneer of aerial photography. From Eduard Schweizer to the great Spelterini | His childhood dreams The son of Sigmund Schweizer and Maria Magdalena Sütterlin, the young ...

Bold and determined, Edward Whymper measured his achievements by the yardstick. The career of this legendary mountaineer is engraved in stone like the tragic outcome of his victory on the Matterhorn. An explorer of the heights, he gave his name to the routes he inaugurated. In love with the mountains, he never stopped trying to conquer them. Like a challenge to the laws of nature, like a visceral need to step into the light. Portrait of an adventurer at the summit of the Alps, Edward Whymper, conqueror of the Matterhorn and unforgettable mountaineer. Edward Whymper | Designer ...

Alexandre Calame (1810-1864) is one of the most important Swiss artists of the 19th century. He is closely linked to the Alps, and it is obviously as such that he interests us here. Together with François Diday, he is the main representative of the Geneva school of painting.