At the foot of the Swiss Alps lies Valais, "the valley". This fabled region is a year-round favourite, with spectacular skiing in the winter and superb hiking in summer. The Matterhorn, the Great St Bernard Pass and Zermatt are the stars of the area, but glaciers, lakes, mountain paths, castle-churches and a wealth of resorts also beckon. Visit L'Hospice du Grand St Bernard to see the animals who helped the monks rescue travellers, or the Fondation Pierre Gianadda, a Roman ruin that now houses modern art.