History of the Alps

The Mont Fort hut celebrates its centenary in 2025. An emblematic Valais refuge, it is one of the most famous cabins of the Swiss Alpine Club. Perched at an altitude of 2457 m on the Alpe de La Chaux, it offers guests breathtaking panoramic views. From Mont Blanc to the Grand Combin, the Alps unfold all their majesty around it. In the midst of the festivities celebrating its birth, I present the history of the Mont Fort hut, the pride of Verbier and the Val de Bagnes. Cabane du Mont Fort: the birth of a refuge in the heart of the Valais The idea of a ...

The highest point on the famous Via Francigena pilgrimage route, the Great St. Bernard Pass has been welcoming travellers for over a thousand years. On the border between Switzerland and Italy, it links the Entremont valley to the Aosta Valley at an altitude of 2,469m. But more than just a passageway, it's a sacred path dedicated to the beauties of the world and to meditation. For it is home to the Hospice du Grand-Saint-Bernard. A place of prayer at summit the Valais Alps. An inescapable stopover on the path taken by the faithful across Europe. I'd like to share its glorious history with you today. The Via Francigena pilgrimage: a sacred route to ...

Resisting the onslaught of ravaging winds, life finds its way to the highest summits. From a wisp of earth between the rocks, it makes its way. Under a scorching sun or freezing cold, it adapts to the constraints of a hostile nature. It may be discreet, but it persists, vigorous, inventive and always daring. Let's discover alpine flora, the fascinating treasure of the high mountains. Discovering alpine flora: from montane to subalpine From verdant valleys to snowy peaks, the Alps are home to exceptional biodiversity. Each niche ...

I've already told you the story of the first mountain refuges. From often rudimentary shelters, they have adapted to the needs of mankind and the constraints of the alpine landscape. More comfortable, more efficient, they are constantly reinventing themselves to welcome their visitors. From innovative chalets to futuristic cabins, the challenge is immense in the skies above the Alps. Let's take a look at the evolution of mountain refuges in the bold age of modernity. Evolution of mountain refuges: In the aftermath of the Second World War 1945. The war is finally over. As a new day dawns on the world, a torn Europe faces the challenge of ...

The Alps have gone from being a wild and hostile land to a popular destination. And from being fearsome creatures, the high mountains have become the Grail of every adventurer. A dream environment where you can ski, hike and recharge your batteries. But what's the real story behind this metamorphosis? Let me take you on a tour of Alpine tourism in the 19th century. Tourism in the Alps at the dawn of the 19th century From the 18th century onwards, young aristocrats and bourgeois from all over Europe were driven to cross the Alps when ...

As the seasons change, herds come and go on the slopes of the Alps. Inalpe and désalpe are celebrated by men in the heart of the valleys. What is this age-old tradition that enchants the alpine pastures and resonates beyond the highest mountains? Let's discover transhumance in the Alps. Transhumance in the Alps: The birth of a thousand-year-old tradition In the heyday of the Middle Ages, people made their environment their own. They spread their livestock across the high pastures according to the seasons. Between the Alps and the Mediterranean coast, the movements of the herds ...

From father to son, the Tairraz family have dedicated their art to the Mont Blanc massif. Seasoned mountaineers immortalizing the Alps while adapting to the challenges of their time. Four generations of passionate, visionary men fascinated by the splendor of the Roof of Europe. This is the story of the Tairraz family, pioneers of alpine photography in Chamonix. Joseph Tairraz: Pioneer of alpine photography in Chamonix Joseph Tairraz was born in Chamonix in 1827. Nurtured by the beauty of the fertile valley and arid summits , he dreamed of exploring new horizons. He soon became a guide, leading a number of richly endowed high-mountain ...

Widely recognized as the most gifted mountain guide of his generation, Armand Charlet rises to every challenge the Alps throw at him. Taming theAiguille Verte and the Aiguilles du Diable, he sails from firsts to incredible feats, on the flanks of Mont Blanc and at the gates of heaven. I invite you to discover the story of Armand Charlet, portrait of a legendary guide. Armand Charlet: Birth of a legendary guide Armand Charlet was born in Argentière on February 9, 1900. In the Chamonix valley, the needles of rock bend over his ...

From makeshift shelters to comfortable lodgings, alpine refuges have evolved over time. As landmarks in the heart of the mountains, they play an essential role in man's relationship with nature. Here, I present the history of the first mountain refuges, an Alpine feat at the gates of heaven. History of the first mountain refuges: from their origins to the advent of mountaineering At a time when the Alps were unexplored, only a few men ventured there, braving the cold and the dangers. Shepherds and hunters populating the valleys, crystal-makers and smugglers plying the summits to survive ...

When rock and snow mingle with wind, the Alps shimmer and stir our souls. Contemplating this impetuous and dazzling nature, we are transported to the highest summits. A poetic journey or a quest for initiation, the peaks guide us from shadow to light, as if into the heart of ourselves. And when man photographs the mountain in black and white, it becomes a masterpiece, an eternal diamond. Black & white mountain photography: a complex art Until the 19th century, the high mountains remained a frightening, unexplored land. Then came the time of the first ascents...

By turns journalist and war correspondent, mountain guide and mountaineer, explorer and writer. Who is this man who defies life to resist him? Insatiably curious, in love with man and nature, nothing seems to stand in the way of his desires. A trailblazer and visionary, he was one of the first. Discover the story of a legend of the Alps and beyond, Roger Frison-Roche, a modern-day adventurer. Roger Frison-Roche: Birth of a modern-day adventurer Roger Frison-Roche was born on February 10, 1906 in Paris, in the brasserie run by his parents. Originally from Beaufort-sur-Doron, ...