HISTORY OF
BREUIL CERVINIA

Breuil-Cervinia is an Italian tourist resort located in Valle d’Aosta, at the foot of the Matterhorn, the most iconic mountain in the Alps. Its history is intertwined with that of alpinism, which has seen Cervinia as one of its most popular destinations.

The Origins

The origins of Breuil-Cervinia date back to pre-Roman times, when it was a small village of shepherds. The name ‘Breuil’ comes from the French breuill, meaning ‘marshy plateau’.

The Alpinism

In the 19th century, Breuil-Cervinia became a top destination for mountaineers from all over the world. In 1865, Edward Whymper and his associates conquered the summit of the Matterhorn for the first time, an event that gave a decisive boost to the development of tourism in the resort.

Skiing

In the 20th century, Breuil-Cervinia developed into one of the most important ski resorts in Italy and Europe. In 1936, the first cable car was inaugurated, connecting Breuil-Cervinia to Plan Maison, at an altitude of 2,555 metres, and three years later, the cable car was inaugurated to Plateau Rosà at an altitude of 3,840 metres. In the following years, other cable cars (such as the iconic Furggen) and lifts were built, which considerably expanded the skiable area.

The connection to Zermatt

The Matterhorn Alpine Crossing, the highest transalpine link of all, connecting Breuil-Cervinia with Zermatt, Switzerland, was opened in 2023. This link makes it possible to travel between Cervinia and Zermatt all year round while admiring a unique panorama.

The special features of Breuil Cervinia

Breuil Cervinia is an Alpine resort that offers a mix of nature, sport and culture. The resort is characterised by an Alpine climate with cold winters and cool summers. Snowfall is abundant, ensuring a virtually uninterrupted skiing season.
Thanks to the height of its ski lifts and more than 350 km of slopes, Matterhorn Ski Paradise is the highest ski area in Europe and one of the largest in Europe and the world.

Breuil-Cervinia is also an ideal destination for hikers and mountain bikers. The resort is surrounded by wild, unspoilt nature, offering countless hiking and mountain biking trails.

Breuil-Cervinia is a unique tourist resort, offering a mix of nature, sport and culture.