Sonthonnax-la-Montagne
Sonthonnax -la -Montagne is a commune in the French department of Ain , in the Rhône -Alpes.
Geography
Sonthonnax -la -Montagne is located at 675 m above sea level. M., about ten kilometers west-southwest of the city Oyonnax (air line). The farming village extends north Bugey, on a plateau in the Jura, north of Mont Griset, between the gorge-like and narrow valley of the Ain to the west and the basin of Izernore in the east.
The area of 14.14 km ² municipal area includes a portion of the southern French Jura. The main part of the territory occupied by the undulating plateau on the anticline of the Montagne de Berthiand. Here, partly swampy depressions alternate with hills and elongated ridges from. The highest point is 786 m above sea level. M. reached on the hill above Chougeat; Another important surveys are the Mont Griset (709 m above sea level. M. ) and the Mont Fauvin ( 696 m above sea level. M. ). In the west the boundary runs mostly above the steep drop to the deep valley of the Ain.
To Sonthonnax -la -Montagne addition to the actual place includes various hamlets and farm groups, including:
- Heyriat (630 m above sea level. M. ) in a hollow south of Mont Griset
- Napt ( 655 m above sea level. M. ) at Mont Fauvin
Neighboring communities of Sonthonnax -la -Montagne are Matafelon -Granges in the west and north, and Izernore Nurieux - Volognat the east and Leyssard and Bolozon in the south.
History
Sonthonnax -la -Montagne is first mentioned in 1250 under the name Centonas. Over time, the spelling on Sontona ( 1299 ), Sant Donas ( 1325 ), Sonthona ( 1337) and Sanctus Donatus Montis ( 1587 ) transformed to the present name. The name goes back to the Holy Donatus. The area around Sonthonnax belonged to the lords of Thoire -Villars 1402 and came under the suzerainty of the Counts of Savoy. The Treaty of Lyon Sonthonnax -la -Montagne arrived in 1601 to France. On January 1, 1974, the previously independent Napt was incorporated into Sonthonnax -la -Montagne.
Attractions
The church of Saint -Laurent -la- Montagne in Sonthonnax was built in the Gothic style forms, but has a modern belfry. In Napt also is a Gothic church from the 14th century. To the west of the village is the Chapelle des Chasseurs of the 19th century on a beautiful lookout point.
Population
With 315 inhabitants (as of 1 January 2011) Sonthonnax -la -Montagne is one of the small communities of the department of Ain. After the population had decreased in the first half of the 20th century (1896 360 people were still counted ), a significant population increase has been recorded since the early 1980s again.
Economy and infrastructure
Sonthonnax -la -Montagne was until well into the 20th century a predominantly coined by agriculture, especially dairy farming and animal husbandry, and forestry village. In addition, there are today some of the local small business enterprises. Meanwhile, the village has also changed into a residential community. Many workers are commuters who engage in the larger towns in the vicinity of their work.
The village is located off the major thoroughfares. The main access is from Izernore. Further road links exist with Mornay (municipality Nurieux - Volognat ) and Bolozon. The nearest links to the motorway A404 ( Saint -Martin- du- Frêne - Oyonnax ) is located at a distance of about ten kilometers.