Échenevex

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

Geography

Échenevex is located on 590 m above sea level. M. three kilometers southwest of Gex and about 15 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, on the northern edge of the lake basin.

The area of ​​16:44 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 and extends to the stream of Journans ( in the catchment of Allondon ). From the level of the slope rises gently to the plateau of Échenevex to ( an average of 600 m above sea level. M. ). This plateau is drained by the Varfeuille to Journans. The western boundary is formed by the valley section of the Allondon, which rises with a karst spring at Jurafuß.

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 two main peaks of Colomby de Gex (ü 1680 and 1688 m. M. the top of the mountain ) and the east upstream Montchanais ( 1446 m above sea level. M. ). Above about 1400 m above sea level. M. are extensive mountain pastures. Also the west of the main ridge pastures belong to Échenevex, the western boundary runs along the steep drop to the valley of Valserine. That the High Jura belonging western municipality of Échenevex is part of the Parc Naturel Régional du Haut -Jura and the nature reserve Haute Chaîne du Jura.

To Échenevex next to the original site also includes various hamlets and new housing estates, namely:

• Chenaz (501 m above sea level. M. ) in the plain west of the Journans
• Mury ( 555 m above sea level. M. ) on the plateau of Échenevex
• La Pierre ( 614 m above sea level. M. ) on Jurafuß above the village
• Naz -Dessus (609 m above sea level. M. ) on Jurafuß near the source of Allondon

Neighboring communities of Échenevex are Gex in the north, and Cessy Segny in the east, Chevry and Crozet in the South and Mijoux in the West.

History

Is first mentioned Échenevex in 1390 under the name Eschenevay. Over time, the spelling on Exchenevay, Eychenevay ( 1497 ), Exchenevex ( 1528), Echenevai ( 1730) and Eschenevex (1744) transformed to the present name. The place name is composed of the components ex ( out of ) and chenevay together, an old French term for the hemp plant (Latin cannabis ).

Since the Middle Ages Échenevex belonged 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 Échenevex shared the checkered history of the Pays de Gex, with which it finally reached in 1601 after the Treaty of Lyon in France. The village belonged to the parish always Cessy and therefore does not have its own church. It was not until 1833 Échenevex was politically separated from Cessy and collected for independent community.

Population

With 1722 inhabitants (as of 1 January 2011) Échenevex 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 and 1980s. During this time, the population has more than tripled. Outside the old town center, numerous new single-family homes were built.

Economy and infrastructure

Échenevex was until well into the 20th century a predominantly coined by farming village. Today, there are some establishments of local small businesses. 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. South of Échenevex There is a golf course (Golf de Maison Blanche ).

The village has a good infrastructure. It is located above the road D984c Department, which runs from Saint- Genis- Pouilly to Gex. Further road links exist with Crozet, Cessy and Segny. The nearest links to the Swiss highway A1 is located at a distance of around 12 km. The former railway line that ran from Bellegarde- sur -Valserine to Divonne -les- Bains and also Échenevex served, was shut down. In its place today is a bus line.