Champfromier

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

Geography

Champfromier is located at 646 meters above sea level. M., about ten kilometers north of the town of Bellegarde -sur -Valserine (air line). The farming village in the French Jura extends into the open cavity of a side of the Valserine, at the southern foot of the Cret du Mont

The area of ​​32.40 km ² municipal area includes a portion of the high Jura. The south-eastern boundary runs along the Valserine that flows here in a 100 m cut into the environment erosion valley from the northeast to the southwest. The valley is surrounded by sheer, traversed some with bands of rock slopes on both sides. From the river, the municipality's area extends to the north and includes the wide, open to the south basin of Champfromier. This is bordered to the west by Cruchon ( 1143 m above sea level. M. ), on the north by Cret du Mont ( 1380 m above sea level. M. ) and to the east by the Bois des Ecretats ( 1080 m above sea level. M. ), the heights of scarps have with some striking rock walls, including the Cirque des Avalanches.

The northern part of the municipality is occupied by a predominantly forested plateau ( Forêt de Champfromier, an average of 1,200 meters above sea level. M. ), which connects to the Cret du Mont and in the Haute Crête (1415 m above sea level. M. ) culminates. Beyond this plateau, the municipality's area extends into the headwaters of the Semine and up to the top of Cret de Chalam, on 1545 m above sea level. M. the highest elevation reached by Champfromier. The municipality is part of the Regional Natural Park of Haut -Jura ( frz: Parc Naturel Régional du Haut- Jura).

To Champfromier addition to the actual village also includes various hamlets and farmhouses, namely:

• Communal (770 m above sea level. M. ) on a ledge west of the village
• Le Bordaz (720 m above sea level. M. ) in the basin of Champfromier above the village
• Monnetier (710 m above sea level. M. ) in the basin of Champfromier at the southern foot of the Cret du Mont

Neighboring communities of La Pesse Champfromier are in the north, Chézery -Forens in the east, Montanges in the south and Saint- Germain- de -Joux, Giron and Belleydoux in the West.

History

The discovery of a Burgundian cemetery near the village church points to a settlement of the 5th century. Is first mentioned Champfromier already in 930, when Count of Geneva Albitius the territory ceded to the monastery of Nantua. Over time, the spelling of Chan Fromer ( 1344) on Ecclesia Campi Fromerii ( 1399 ) transformed to Chanfromier (1734 ). The etymology is not clear. Probably the place name goes back to campus Fromarii and means ( Burgundian persons name) field of the Frumaharius.

Attractions

The parish church, originally dating back to a building from the 10th century, was rebuilt in 1825-1827.

Population

With 676 inhabitants (as of 1 January 2011) Champfromier one of the small communities of the department of Ain. After the population had decreased significantly in the first half of the 20th century, a continuous population growth was recorded since the early 1980s again. Since then, the population has almost doubled.

Economy and infrastructure

Champfromier was until well into the 20th century a predominantly coined by agriculture and forestry village. Today, there are some operations of small and medium enterprises. Of importance are the Société Coutier ( manufacture of auto accessories ) and a sawmill. Many employed persons are also commuters who engage in the larger towns in the area and mainly in Bellegarde -sur -Valserine their work.

The village is located off the major thoroughfares of the secondary road D14, which leads Tacon ( on the main road D1084 ) by the Valserine Valley to Chézery -Forens. Another road connection with Giron. The nearest links to the A40 motorway is located at a distance of around 16 kilometers.