Mijoux

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

Geography

Mijoux is located on 992 m above sea level. M., six kilometers north-west of Gex and about 22 km north- northwest of the city of Geneva (air line). The village is located in the French Jura in the Central Valley Combe de Mijoux, which is drained by the Valserine, at the northern foot of the pass traversal Faucille. It, together with the neighboring community Lélex the winter sports area Monts Jura.

The area of ​​22 km ² municipal area includes a portion of the high Jura. As a narrow strip of a large part of the left ( south-east ) Talhangs the Combe de Mijoux belongs to the municipality area. This slope is mostly wooded, has a strong tendency and is partially crossed by rock bands. In the area of ​​Faucille (1320 m above sea level. M. ) and the southwest adjacent Petit Montrond ( 1534m above sea level. M. ) and Mont Rond ( with 1596m above sea level. M. the highest elevation of Mijoux ) is the boundary along the watershed on the crest. Otherwise, they shifted from Mijoux back and above the escarpment. 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. The territory of Mijoux is part of the Parc Naturel Régional du Haut -Jura and the nature reserve Haute Chaîne du Jura. In the northwest always identifies the stream of Valserine the municipal boundary. Current flows through a wide valley with a relatively Juralängstal, but steep slopes to the southwest into the Rhône.

To Mijoux next to the original site also includes various hamlets and farmhouses, including:

• Les Mars (900 m above sea level. M. ) in the Combe de Mijoux on the northern outskirts of Lélex
• Septfontaines (904 m above sea level. M. ) in the Combe de Mijoux at the western foot of the Colomby de Gex

Neighboring communities of Mijoux are Lajoux in the north, Divonne- les- Bains, Vesancy, Gex, Échenevex and Crozet in the east, the south and Lélex Les Molunes in the West.

History

In the 8th century, the area was cleared to Mijoux of monks from the monastery of Saint- Claude and reclaimed. Since the Middle Ages Mijoux 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 Mijoux told the eventful history of the Pays de Gex, with which it finally reached in 1601 after the Treaty of Lyon in France. It was only in 1910 Mijoux was separated from Gex and collected as a separate parish.

Population

With 377 inhabitants (as of 1 January 2011) Mijoux one of the small communities of the department of Ain. After the population had decreased significantly in the first half of the 20th century, a strong population growth was recorded especially at the beginning of the 1980s again. Since then, the population has almost doubled.

Economy and infrastructure

Mijoux was until well into the 20th century a predominantly coined by agriculture and forestry village. Today, there are some establishments of local small businesses, including wood processing. Meanwhile, the village has been transformed into a major ski resort in the Jura. In the area of ​​Faucille the slopes are accessed by two cable cars and several ski lifts. The place is also in the summer, starting point for extensive hikes Jura. In the Combe de Mijoux a golf course was set up.

The village region has a quite well developed. It lies on the secondary road D936 which leads from Faucille to Saint -Claude, and thus represents an important Jurassic transition. Further road links exist with Les Rousses and via Lélex with Bellegarde- sur -Valserine.

Attractions

The church dates from the 19th century, a few steps, however, is outside of Mijoux beyond the Valserine and is thus already in the municipality of Lajoux.