Novel
| Novel | ||
|---|---|---|
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| region | Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes | |
| Department | Haute-Savoie | |
| Arrondissement | Thonon-les-Bains | |
| Canton | Evian-les-Bains | |
| Community association | Pays d'Evian Vallée d'Abondance | |
| Coordinates | 46 ° 22 ' N , 6 ° 47' E | |
| height | 780-2,180 m | |
| surface | 9.75 km 2 | |
| Residents | 48 (January 1, 2017) | |
| Population density | 5 inhabitants / km 2 | |
| Post Code | 74500 | |
| INSEE code | 74203 | |
Novel is a French commune in the department of Haute-Savoie in the region of Auvergne Rhône-Alpes .
geography
Novel is located at 960 m , 23 kilometers east of the town of Thonon-les-Bains (as the crow flies). The mountain village extends in the Chablais , in the valley of the Morge northeast of the Dent d'Oche in the Savoy Prealps , on the border with Switzerland .
The area of the 9.75 km² municipal area covers a section of the northern Chablais Alps. The southeastern border runs along the course of the Morge , a short mountain stream and southern tributary of Lake Geneva , which forms the state border between France and Switzerland. To the northwest, the municipal area extends to the mountain ridge with Pointe de l'Aritte ( 1691 m ) and Pic Boré ( 1974 m ). To the southwest and south, the area extends over alpine meadows, on which the source streams of the Morge arise, to the striking rock peaks of Dent d'Oche (at 2222 m the highest elevation in Novel) and Roc du Château d'Oche ( 2199 m ) .
Neighboring communities of Novel are Saint-Gingolph and Thollon-les-Mémises in the north, Bernex in the west, Vacheresse and La Chapelle-d'Abondance in the south and the Swiss Saint-Gingolph in the east ( canton Valais ).
history
Novel was founded in the 12th century. The name is derived from the old French word novel , which means something like reclaimed land . Before the First World War , it counted up to 20,000 tourists a year. In 1924, the entire village center with 38 houses, apart from the rectory , the Hôtel du Grammont , the dairy farm and one other building, fell victim to a village fire. The church collapsed, 150 people were left homeless, but no one was injured.
Because the mountain village had very few inhabitants, it was merged with Saint-Gingolph in 1973. However, the villagers resisted this forced merger with a petition. With effect from December 27, 1982 Novel was raised again to an independent municipality.
Attractions
The village church has a traditional bell tower. The figure of Jesus on the cross above the altar is simple, probably the carving of a regional shepherd. It has a special feature: Jesus has no beard. A chapel from the 19th century stands a little above the village. Novel was rebuilt in traditional style after the fire.
population
| + Population development | |
|---|---|
| year | Residents |
| 1962 | 88 |
| 1968 | 80 |
| 1975 | 46 |
| 1982 | 48 |
| 1990 | 63 |
| 1999 | 58 |
| 2006 | 55 |
| 2009 | 50 |
With 48 inhabitants (as of January 1, 2017) Novel is one of the smallest municipalities in the Haute-Savoie department. Especially at the beginning of the 1970s, the population decreased significantly. Since then it has remained at a relatively constant level.
Economy and Infrastructure
Until well into the 20th century, Novel was a village dominated by agriculture and forestry . Some employed people are commuters who work in the larger towns in the area. The last of two hotels was closed in 2006, but reopened as a Gîte d'étape with a restaurant in the summer of 2015.
The village is located away from the larger thoroughfares. The only access is from Saint-Gingolph on the main road N5. Novel is a destination for many Swiss people from the nearby cantons of Vaud , Valais and Geneva , some of whom have weekend houses in the mountains above the actual town.
Web links
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b Le village de Novel incendié ( Memento of the original from March 3, 2016 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. , Gazette de Lausanne , October 20, 1924, page 4.
