Virieu-le-Petit
Virieu -le- Petit is a commune in the French department of Ain , in the Rhône -Alpes.
Geography
Virieu -le- Petit is situated on 620 m above sea level. Level, about 17 kilometers north of the town of Belley (air line). The farming village extends in the southeastern Bugey, a scenic location on a Verebnungsfläche on the lower western slopes of the Grand Colombier, in the valley of Valromey, above the valley section of Arvière.
The area of 16.36 km ² municipal area comprises a portion of Valromey. The Valromey forms a broad valley between two high, oriented in north-south direction Jura ridges. And is bordered to the field to the west and north by the river of Arvière and Groin. Both are always affected in a deeply incised into the environment erosion valley. From this valley, the municipality's area extends eastward across the slope of Virieu -le- Petit and adjacent steep slopes of the Jura to the level of Rabatel ( 1216 m above sea level. M. ) and on the crest of the Grand Colombier. On its summit is 1531 meters above sea level. M. reached the highest elevation of Virieu -le- Petit. The western flank of the ridge is divided by the striking erosion valleys of Arvière and the village stream of Ameyzieu.
To Virieu -le- Petit addition to the actual place includes various hamlets and farmhouses, namely ( from south to north ):
- Munet (560 m above sea level. M. ) at the western foot of the Grand Colombier
- Assin (600 m above sea level. M. ) at the western foot of the Grand Colombier
- Romagnieux (625 m above sea level. M. ) on the plateau north of the village
- Vaux- Valençon (490 m above sea level. M. ) in the Valley of Arvière
Neighboring communities of Virieu -le- Petit are Lochieu in the north, Anglefort in the east, and Culoz Chavornay in the south and Vieu and Champagne -en- Valromey in the West.
History
Virieu -le- Petit is first mentioned under the name Viriacus; of 1345 the name Viriacus parvus is preserved. The name goes back to the Gallo-Roman personal name Virius and means something like estate of Virius. Since the 12th century formed Virieu -le- Petit, a parish, which was dependent on Nantua. 1342 came the village on the dominion La Balme, which was under the suzerainty of the Counts of Savoy. The Treaty of Lyon reached the village in 1601 to France.
Attractions
The parish church of Virieu -le- Petit was built in the 14th century in the Gothic style and extensively restored in the 19th century; it has medieval wall paintings. Another church stands in Romagnieux. From the former castle Mauclerc ruins remain.
Population
With 307 inhabitants (as of 1 January 2011) Virieu -le- Petit is one of the small communities of the department of Ain. After the population had decreased significantly in the first half of the 20th century, an increase in population was recorded 1975-1982 again. Since then, the population remains at a constant level.
Economy and infrastructure
Virieu -le- Petit was until well into the 20th century a predominantly coined by farming village. In addition, there are today some of the local small business enterprises. Meanwhile, the village has also changed into a residential community. Many workers are commuters who engage in the larger towns in the vicinity of their work.
The village is located off the major thoroughfares on a secondary road that leads from Arte Mare to Brénaz. Further road links exist with Champagne -en- Valromey and the summit of the Grand Colombier.