Crozet (Ain)

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

Geography

Crozet is located at 538 m above sea level. Level, about 14 kilometers northwest of the city of Geneva (air line). This former farm extends in the Pays de Gex: a scenic elevated location at the foot of the Jura Mountains below the Colomby de Gex, at the northwestern edge of the lake basin.

The area of ​​27.47 km ² municipal area includes a portion of the Pays de Gex. The area is divided into two very different parts of the natural area. The south-eastern part is occupied by the fertile plain at Jurafuß, where the eastern boundary runs along the Allondon. This river originates at a karst spring at Jurafuß and is first incised with a valley cut into the surrounding plateau, in the course of it he then flows openly through the plane. From the level of the Pays de Gex, the slope rises gently against the law to go.

To the west, the municipality's area extends over the steep, densely forested slopes down to the broad crest of the Jura. This comb is divided into the top of the Montoisey (1651 m above sea level. M. ), the South West top of Colomby de Gex ( 1680 m above sea level. M. the highest elevation of Crozet ) and the intervening saddle of the Col de Crozet (1480 m ü. M. ). Above about 1400 m above sea level. M. are extensive mountain pastures, which are interspersed with typical karst features such as sinkholes and karst formations. Also the west of the main ridge pastures belong to Crozet, the western boundary runs along the steep drop to the valley of Valserine. That the High Jura belonging western municipality of Crozet is part of the Parc Naturel Régional du Haut -Jura and the nature reserve Haute Chaîne du Jura.

At Crozet next to the original site also includes several hamlets and new housing estates, namely:

• Avouzon (532 m above sea level. M. ) west on Jurafuß on the plateau of Allondon
• Villeneuve (521 m above sea level. M. ) on Jurafuß

Neighboring communities of Crozet are Échenevex in the north, Chevry in the east, Saint -Genis -Pouilly and in the south and Sergy Lélex and Mijoux in the West.

History

Is first mentioned Crozet in 1332 under the name Croset; of 1437 the name Crozetum is preserved. The name goes back to the Old French word creuset (small cross). In the Middle Ages Crozet formed its own little rule, which came in response to the Lords of Gex. Along with this rule came the village in the 14th century under the suzerainty of the Counts of Savoy. Then Crozet told the eventful history of the Pays de Gex, with which it finally reached in 1601 after the Treaty of Lyon in France.

Attractions

The village church was built around 1830 on the site of a medieval church. From the medieval castle ruins Rossillon are obtained.

Population

With 1913 inhabitants (as of 1 January 2011) Crozet is one of the smaller communities of the department of Ain. Since the mid- 1960s, a striking population growth was recorded. Particularly strong growth was registered during the 1970s. Outside the old town center, numerous new single-family homes were built.

Economy and infrastructure

Crozet was until well into the 20th century a predominantly coined by farming village. Today, there are some operations of small and medium enterprises. Meanwhile, the village has been transformed into a residential community. Many working population commuters who work in the larger towns of the Pays de Gex or as a frontier in the agglomeration of Geneva.

Above Crozet is the bottom station of the cable car to the Jura ridge ( Fierney ). Thus, the village is a popular starting point for hiking in the Jura Mountains in the summer or for alpine skiing, cross country skiing and snowshoeing in winter. Through several ski lifts Crozet is connected to the winter sports resort of Lélex.

The place is a good infrastructure. From Geneva and the Department D984c road that leads from Saint- Genis- Pouilly to Gex, Crozet is easily accessible. Further road links exist with Thoiry, Échenevex and Chevry. The nearest links to the Swiss highway A1 is located at a distance of about twelve miles.