La Roche-sur-Foron

La Roche- sur -Foron is a commune in the French department of Haute- Savoie department in the Rhône-Alpes region. It is the capital of the canton of La Roche- sur -Foron in the arrondissement of Bonneville.

Geography

La Roche- sur -Foron is located at about 550 m above sea level. Level, about 20 kilometers southeast of the city of Geneva (air line). The community with a historic core of the city increased slightly on the western edge of the broad Arvetals, on both sides of the creek Foron, at the northern foot of the Montagne de Sous- Dine, a summit in the Bornes Alps.

The area of ​​17.94 square kilometers municipal area includes a portion in the area of ​​Arvetals. In the northeast, the boundary runs along the edge of the wide Arveniederung. From here, the municipality's area extends southward over the relatively gently sloping hillside of La Roche- sur -Foron, which is drained by the Foron in an erosion valley. To the west, the area extends to the high plateau of Bornes (up to 880 m above sea level. M. ). A narrow strip extending southeast to the mountain peaks of Sur Cou (1809 m above sea level. M. ) and Roche Parnal ( with 1896 m above sea level. M. the highest peak of La Roche- sur -Foron ).

At La Roche- sur -Foron addition to the actual town also includes several hamlets settlements and farmsteads, including:

• La Balme ( 575 m above sea level. M. ) on the western edge of the Arvetals
• Broy (600 m above sea level. M. ) on the hillside above La Roche- sur -Foron
• Lavillat ( 747 m above sea level. M. )
• Les Fleuries (750 m above sea level. M. ) east of Foron
• Champully ( 800 m above sea level. M. ) at the edge of the plateau Bornes
• Montizel (850 m above sea level. M. ) at the edge of the plateau Bornes
• Orange ( 1067 m above sea level. M. ) on a ridge between the Arve Valley and the little valley of the flange at the foot of the Montagne de Sous- Dine

Neighboring communities of La Roche- sur -Foron are Cornier and Amancy in the north, Saint- Sixt Saint- Laurent and Le Petit- Bornand -les- Glière in the east, Thorens- Glières in the south and Évires and Etaux in the West.

History

The municipality of La Roche was already inhabited in the time of Burgundy; at La Balme a Burgundy grave was discovered. First mentioned is the place in 1032 under the Latin name Rochia. From 1033 to 1219 was La Roche headquarters of the Counts of Geneva. This caused the stains in the 12th century fix and gave him in 1335 the municipal law.

At the beginning of the 15th century La Roche came along with the county of Geneva under the dominion of Savoy and henceforth shared its fate. The town was a thriving center in the middle of Savoy, but had frequently suffered from fires and epidemics ( plague 1542-1587 ). During the Savoyerkrieges between Geneva and Savoy, it was looted and vandalized in 1590; then also the old castle of the Counts of Geneva was destroyed. As the first French town of La Roche received in 1885 an electric street lighting. 1961 La Roche was renamed, to better differentiate over other places of the same name by decree in La Roche- sur -Foron.

Attractions

La Roche- sur -Foron has a well- preserved medieval old town with the remains of the former town fortification (Porte Saint- Martin). The church of Saint -Jean -Baptiste is originally from the 12th century. From this time the choir is obtained. Later, however, made ​​numerous alterations and enhancements, including notable bands from the early 16th century; the nave was given its present form in the 19th century. In the former Bernardine monastery is now the Collège Sainte- Marie is situated.

On a rocky promontory stands the Tour des Comtes de Genève, the last remnant of the medieval castle ( 1258 ) of the Counts of Geneva. In the old town there are numerous town houses with ornate facades, including the Maison des Chevaliers and the Maison Boniface. The grenette, an old corn exchange, dates from 1832, while the Hôtel de Ville (Town Hall ) was built in 1842.

Population

With 10,510 inhabitants (as of 1 January 2011) La Roche- sur -Foron one of the largest municipalities in the department of Haute- Savoie. In the last decades, and especially since 1990, a striking population growth was recorded.

Policy

Since 1972, a twinning will entertain the northwest of the German shore of Lake Constance town Stockach.

Economy and infrastructure

La Roche- sur -Foron was early an important trading town. Thanks to the fertile soils of the environment, agriculture has a certain importance today. Since the 1950s, the town gradually developed into an urban center and there arose various commercial and industrial zones. Today there are numerous companies of small and medium industries, as well as various industries of high technology, construction and trading companies and firms in the service sector.

Several major events will take place in La Roche- sur -Foron. The most important are Simodec ( Salon International de la Machine - outil et du Decolletage; every second year in March) and the Foire International de la Haute -Savoie Mont- Blanc (both in May).

The municipality region has a very well developed. It lies on the main road that leads from Annecy to Bonneville; another important road connection with Annemasse. The nearest links to the A41 motorway is located at a distance of approximately two kilometers. The motorway A40 ( Geneva - Chamonix ) is easily accessible. La Roche- sur -Foron has a station on the railway line Annemasse and Annecy is the starting point of the branch line to Saint -Gervais.