Challonges
| Challonges | ||
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| region | Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes | |
| Department | Haute-Savoie | |
| Arrondissement | Saint-Julien-en-Genevois | |
| Canton | Saint-Julien-en-Genevois | |
| Community association | Usses and Rhône | |
| Coordinates | 46 ° 1 ′ N , 5 ° 50 ′ E | |
| height | 263-534 m | |
| surface | 7.90 km 2 | |
| Residents | 536 (January 1, 2017) | |
| Population density | 68 inhabitants / km 2 | |
| Post Code | 74910 | |
| INSEE code | 74055 | |
 In the center of Challonges |
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Challonges is a French commune in the department of Haute-Savoie in the region of Auvergne Rhône-Alpes .
geography
Challonges is located at 471 m , near Bellegarde-sur-Valserine , about 26 kilometers west-northwest of the city of Annecy (as the crow flies). The farming village extends in a promising location on the southern edge of a high plateau, which extends between the valley cut of the Rhone east of the Jura and the Vallée des Usses , in the Genevois .
The area of the 7.90 km² municipality covers a section of the western Genevois. The western border is formed by the Rhône, which flows here from north to south in a valley sunk around 150 m deep into the surrounding plateaus. The community area extends from the course of the river over a steep, wooded slope to the Challonges high plateau to the east, which is divided by several short erosion valleys that open towards the Rhône. In the wooded area on the edge of the Bois du Clos , the highest point in Challonges is reached at 534 m . In the east the border runs along the Godette (side stream of the Usses).
In addition to the actual town center, Challonges also includes several hamlet settlements and farmsteads, including:
- Buyet ( 460 m ) on the plateau south of Challonges
- Lovéry ( 430 m ) in the valley of the Godette
Neighboring communities of Challonges are Franclens and Chêne-en-Semine in the north, Usinens in the east, Bassy in the south and Chanay and Surjoux in the west.
history
The municipal area of Challonges was settled very early. During excavations, the foundations of a Roman villa were found. In the Middle Ages, Challonges was the center of a small rule.
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With the aim of promoting economic relations between the Ain and Haute-Savoie departments, a new road bridge was built over the Rhône in 1907, the pont de Pyrimont , which connected Challonges with Pyrimont, a hamlet of Chanay with a stop on the Lyon– railway line. Geneva . This bridge was about 200 meters long and crossed the river at a height of 48 meters. It was blown up in 1940 during the Second World War by French soldiers in front of the advancing Germans and was never rebuilt. Instead, a temporary replacement bridge was built about a kilometer upstream in the early 1950s from parts of a temporary military bridge previously used in Bellegarde-sur-Valserine . The same bridge with pillars and structures made of steel struts still connects Challonges and Surjoux on the other side of the Rhône.
Attractions
The village church dates from the 19th century and shows neo-Gothic styles . Ruins of the former Châtelard-en-Semine castle have been preserved.
Population development
| year | Residents |
|---|---|
| 1962 | 390 |
| 1968 | 376 |
| 1975 | 302 |
| 1982 | 273 |
| 1990 | 292 |
| 1999 | 337 |
| 2006 | 421 |
With 536 inhabitants (as of January 1, 2017) Challonges is one of the small communities in the Haute-Savoie department. After a decline, a population increase has been recorded again since the mid-1980s. Thanks to the beautiful residential area, numerous single-family houses were built outside of the old town center.
Economy and Infrastructure
Challonges is still today a predominantly agricultural village. Challonges is located in the Savoie wine region . White wines made from the Altesse grape variety (locally called Roussette ) may be marketed under the protected designation of origin Roussette de Savoie . The AOC Vin de Savoie applies to white wines of other grape varieties and red wines .
There are also some local small businesses. Many workers are commuters who work in the larger towns in the area, particularly in Bellegarde-sur-Valserine .
The village is very well developed in terms of traffic. It is located on a department road that leads from Clarafond-Arcine to Seyssel . Further road connections exist with Usinens and over the temporary bridge with Surjoux on the other side of the Rhône. The closest connection to the A40 motorway is around 7 km away.
Web links
Individual evidence
- ↑ Rhônebrücke Pyrimont. In: Structurae
- ↑ Challonges-Surjoux: "Il faut en finir avec l'abus du nom" Pont de Pyrimont! "" In: La Tribune Républicaine. Retrieved April 28, 2014 (French).
- ↑ Challonges - notice communale. In: cassini.ehess.fr. Retrieved April 26, 2014 (French).