Billiat

Billiat is a commune in the French department of Ain, in the Rhône -Alpes.

Geography

Billiat is located on 540 m above sea level. M., about five kilometers southwest of the town of Bellegarde -sur -Valserine (air line). The farming village stretches in the basin of Bellegarde, a scenic location on the plateau of Michaille, about 220 m above the Talniederung the Rhone, at the eastern foot of the Plateau de Retord, a high plateau of the French Jura.

The area of ​​13.70 km ² municipal area includes a portion of the Rhone Valley. The eastern part of the municipality is occupied by the broad plateau of Michaille that on average 540 m above sea level. M. lies. It descends gradually from the east and is broken down by the valleys of short tributaries of the Rhône. The eastern boundary runs along the Rhône, which lies in a valley flanked by cliffs and is impounded by the dam Génissiat to an elongated lake. To the west, the municipality's area covers a narrow strip on the steep slopes of the Jura to the Plateau de Retord, on 1310 m above sea level. M. the highest elevation reached by Billiat.

To Billiat the hamlet Davarod include (570 m above sea level. M. ) and some homesteads. Neighboring communities of Billiat are Villes and Bellegarde- sur -Valserine in the north, Saint- Germain- sur- Rhone in the east, Injoux - Génissiat in the south and Hotonnes in the West.

History

Is first mentioned Billiat in 1198 under the name Billiacus. From a later time, the designations De Billie ( 1278 ) and Billia have survived ( 16th century). The name goes back to the Gallo-Roman personal name Billius and means something like estate of Billius ( Billiacum ). Since the 12th century Billiat formed a parish and a rule which was under the suzerainty of the Counts of Savoy. In the 14th century the place was the seat of a Kastlanei.

Attractions

The village church of Billiat got its present shape in the new construction in the 19th century, the Romanesque choir of the previous building was included. The Chapel of Retord was built in 1846.

Population

With 516 inhabitants (as of 1 January 2011) Billiat one of the small communities of the department of Ain. After the population had decreased significantly in the first half of the 20th century, high population growth has been recorded since the early 1970s again.

Economy and infrastructure

Billiat 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 been transformed into a residential community. Many working population commuters who engage in the larger towns in the area and mainly in the near Bellegarde- sur -Valserine their work.

The village has a good infrastructure. It lies on the secondary road D991 which leads from Châtillon -en- Michaille after Seyssel. Further road links exist with Bellegarde- sur -Valserine and Génissiat. The nearest links to the A40 motorway is located at a distance of about six kilometers.