Lochieu

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

Geography

Lochieu is located at 610 m above sea level. Level, about 20 kilometers north of the town of Belley (air line). The farming village extends in the southeastern Bugey, a scenic location on the lower western slopes of the Grand Colombier, in the valley of Valromey, above the valley section of Arvière.

The area of ​​7.07 km ² municipal area comprises a portion of Valromey. The Valromey forms a broad valley between two high, oriented in north-south direction Jura ridges. The western part of the municipality is occupied by the basin of the Arvière. Here the Arvière united with the north side of creek breeze. From the valley, the municipality's area extends eastward across the slope of Lochieu and the subsequent densely forested steep slope ( Forêt d' Arvière ) to the Hergues ( to 1390 m above sea level. M. ) and on the crest of the Grand Colombier, on with 1402 m ü. M. the highest elevation of Lochieu is achieved. The southern boundary is always marked by deep incision of Arvière.

Neighboring communities of Lochieu are Brénaz in the north, and Corbonod Anglefort in the east, Virieu -le- Petit in the south and Champagne -en- Valromey in the West.

History

In the remote headwaters of the Arvière on the ridge of the Grand Colombier was 1135 under Amadeus III. of Savoy, the Carthusian Chartreuse d' Arvières founded. Since the Middle Ages Lochieu was under the suzerainty of the Counts of Savoy. The Treaty of Lyon reached the village in 1601 to France.

Attractions

The village church of Lochieu was rebuilt in the 19th century and contains among other things a marble altar of the Monastery of Arvières. Of the secular buildings, erected in 1501, a seat of power is to be mentioned. In a Renaissance building in the center of the village is the Musée du Bugey - Valromey, the visitors shows the life and crafts of Valromey since the 18th century. From the former Carthusian monastery ruins are obtained in which a botanical garden was laid out according to medieval tradition.

Population

With 93 inhabitants (as of 1 January 2011) Lochieu is one of the smallest municipalities of the department of Ain. After the population had decreased significantly in the first half of the 20th century, the population remains at a relatively constant level since the early 1980s.

Economy and infrastructure

Lochieu was until well into the 20th century a predominantly coined by farming village. Even today, the inhabitants live mainly from the activity in the first sector. Some employed persons are also commuters who engage in the larger towns in the vicinity of their work.

The village is located off the major thoroughfares on a secondary road that leads from Arte Mare to Brénaz. Further road links exist with Champagne -en- Valromey and Passin.