Breuil-Cervinia, officially Le Breuil from September 2023, is a frazione of the comune of Valtournenche, Italy. It is considered one of the most renowned winter and summer tourist resorts in the Alps.
Breuil-Cervinia
Matterhorn seen from the valley of Valtournenche
A 1950s Breuil-Cervinia postcard
Breuil-Cervinia town centre
The Matterhorn is a mountain of the Alps, straddling the main watershed and border between Italy and Switzerland. It is a large, near-symmetric pyramidal peak in the extended Monte Rosa area of the Pennine Alps, whose summit is 4,478 metres (14,692 ft) above sea level, making it one of the highest summits in the Alps and Europe. The four steep faces, rising above the surrounding glaciers, face the four compass points and are split by the Hörnli, Furggen, Leone/Lion, and Zmutt ridges. The mountain overlooks the Swiss town of Zermatt, in the canton of Valais, to the northeast; and the Italian town of Breuil-Cervinia in the Aosta Valley to the south. Just east of the Matterhorn is Theodul Pass, the main passage between the two valleys on its north and south sides, which has been a trade route since the Roman Era.
East and north faces of the Matterhorn
View on the south and east faces and the area of the Theodul Pass between Italy (left) and Switzerland (right)
View from the summit towards Monte Rosa with the valleys of Mattertal (left) and Valtournenche (right)
View from the summit towards the west and the nearest other 4,000-metre peak: the Dent d'Hérens