Glay (Doubs)

Glay is a commune in the French department Doubs in the Franche -Comté.

Geography

Glay is at 398 m, about 14 km southeast of the town of Montbéliard (air line). The village is located in the northern Jura, at the confluence of the rivers Creuse and Doue to England in a valley that is cut into the plateaus of the Jura, near the border with Switzerland.

The area of ​​6.49 km ² municipal area includes a portion of the northern French Jura. The central part of the area is occupied by the valley section of England, whose sole has a width of about 300 meters. The England created with the confluence of the Creuse ( from the southwest ) and the Doue ( from the east ) and drains the area north to the Doubs. In the valley floor several fish ponds were created. These main valleys as well as the Combe de Vaux and other short side valleys are at least 100 meters deep into the surrounding plateau, the steep slopes are mostly passed with forest.

The surrounding Tafeljura plateaus are formed by Sequan and Kimmeridgekalken and show partly wooded, partly arable and meadow land. To the west of the municipality of soil ranges on the heights of Pièces Montants (519 m) ​​and Bois de Châtel ( to 552 m). In the south, the boundary is located on the plateau of Mont Beulchy ( 545 m). In the East, the community area includes the southern part of the plateau of Abbévillers, which is on average 540 m, and the valley system of Doue, which rises with a karst spring. With 566 m is reached on the corridor Pré du Prince at the edge of the plateau of Fahy the highest elevation of Glay.

To Glay addition to the actual site also includes the settlements Montaillevey (495 m ) on the south slope of the valley of Doue as well as several farms and individual farms. Neighboring communities of Glay are Dannemarie in the south, Blamont and Roches- lès- Blamont in the West, Meslières in the north, Abbévillers to the northeast and the Swiss municipality of Grand Fontaine in the east.

History

The first mention of Glay took place in the 12th century. Since the Middle Ages the village belonged to the rule Blamont. After the village had come in 1506 under the suzerainty of the Counts of Montbéliard, the Reformation was introduced. As part of the rule Blamont, which formed one of the four gentlemen of the Principality of Montbéliard and was annexed in 1699 by France, Glay 1748 came contractually finally to France. Already in 1385 is mentioned, the first mill on the Doue. Early on, settled along the two streams of commercial, which was dependent on hydropower. In Glay paper mills, oil mills, tanneries and a gemstone were represented. Towards the end of the 19th century witnessed Glay rapid industrialization, in particular factories supplemented the traditional industries in the field of bicycle, motorcycle and car manufacturing. Today, the village belongs to the municipality of Communauté de communes Association des Balcons du Lomont.

Attractions

Glay has a Reformed and a Catholic church. Already in the 12th century the first church was mentioned. It was rebuilt in 1764. The Catholic church dates from the 18th century. Further, in Glay several wells from the 19th century and a mill with water.

Population

With 364 inhabitants (as of 1 January 2011) Glay is one of the small communities of the department of Doubs. Already in 1901 reached Glay with 646 inhabitants, the highest level so far. After a rapid decline in population was recorded. Since 1946, the population always moves in the range 265-325 people.

Economy and infrastructure

By the mid -19th century, Glay became an industrially defined community. Today, a company that makes accessories for shipbuilding, an operation of the metal processing and operations of local small businesses in the village are located. Furthermore, the fish has a certain importance. Meanwhile, the village has also changed into a residential community. Many workers are therefore commuters who do their work in the agglomeration Montbéliard.

The village is located off the major thoroughfares on a secondary road that leads from Hérimoncourt after Blamont. The nearest links to the A36 motorway is located at a distance of about 14 km. Another road connection with Dannemarie.