Verchaix

Verchaix is a commune in the French department of Haute- Savoie department in the Rhône-Alpes region.

Geography

Verchaix is located at 787 meters above sea level. M., northeast of Cluses, about 43 km east-southeast of the city of Geneva (air line). The village is located on a terrace on the northern side of the valley of Giffre, about 100 m above the valley floor, in the Savoy Alps, in Faucigny.

The area of ​​15.89 km ² municipal area includes a portion of the Savoy Alps. The southern boundary runs along the Giffre, a right tributary of the Arve, which here flows in a wide and largely natural gravel from east to west. From the river, the municipality's area extends north across the floodplain and up to 2 km wide floodplain. This is followed by the slope of Verchaix follows, which is dominated by the ridge of La Mouille ( up to 1650 m above sea level. M. ). The eastern boundary of the municipality is the deeply incised V-shaped valley of the stream Valentine. In a narrow edge of the municipality floor extends to the northeast in the area of the Col de Joux Plane, on the adjacent peaks of the Pointe d' Angolon ( with 2090 m above sea level. M. the highest elevation of Verchaix ) and the watershed in the catchment area of ​​the Dranse.

To Verchaix include the hamlet of Les Hôtes ( 669 m above sea level. M. ) in the valley of Giffre and Cossin (960 m above sea level. M. ) on the hillside above the village and several villages. Neighboring communities of Verchaix are Les Gets and Morzine in the north, the east Samoens, Morillon in the south and La Rivière- Enverse and Taninges in the West.

History

The village, mentioned in the 14th century under the name Verchey first time, a separate parish was until 1865. Previously belonged to the municipality Verchaix Samoens.

Attractions

The village church of Saint- Guérin was built in the late 18th century. A chapel is located in the hamlet Cossin.

Population

With 668 inhabitants (as of 1 January 2011) Verchaix one of the small towns in the Haute-Savoie region. Since the late 1970s, a substantial population increase was recorded thanks to the attractive residential area.

Economy and infrastructure

Verchaix was until well into the 20th century a predominantly marked by one country and alpine farming village. Today there are various operations of small businesses. The cable cars and ski lifts in the northernmost part of the municipality (of Morzine and Les Gets accessible ) part of the vast Portes du Soleil.

The village is located off the major thoroughfares, but is from the main road through the Giffre Valley ( Taninges - Samoens ) easily accessible. Another road connection with Morillon on the other side of the valley of Giffre.