Saint-Germain-sur-Rhône
| Saint-Germain-sur-Rhône | ||
|---|---|---|
|
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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 ° 4 ' N , 5 ° 49' E | |
| height | 322-537 m | |
| surface | 7.85 km 2 | |
| Residents | 526 (January 1, 2017) | |
| Population density | 67 inhabitants / km 2 | |
| Post Code | 74910 | |
| INSEE code | 74235 | |
| Website | www.saint-germain-sur-rhone.com | |
Saint-Germain-sur-Rhône is a French commune in the department of Haute-Savoie in the region of Auvergne Rhône-Alpes .
geography
Saint-Germain-sur-Rhône is located at 430 m , near Bellegarde-sur-Valserine , about 30 kilometers northwest of the city of Annecy (as the crow flies). The farming village extends on a promontory above the Rhone Valley , above the Génissiat dam, at the eastern foot of the Jura , in the Genevois .
The area of the 7.85 km² municipal area covers a section of the western Genevois. The western border is formed by the Rhône, which is located here in a valley sunk more than 100 m deep into the surrounding plateaus, which runs from north to south, and is dammed by the Génissiat dam. There is a bottleneck near the village where the limestone cliffs drop vertically into the reservoir. The community area extends from the river to the high plateau bordering to the east ( 500 m on average ), which is subdivided by several short erosion valleys that open towards the Rhône. In the Bois du Clos forest area , at 537 m, the highest point in Saint-Germain-sur-Rhône is reached.
In addition to the actual town center, Saint-Germain-sur-Rhône also includes several hamlet settlements and farms, including:
- Cusinens ( 460 m ) on the eastern slope of the Rhône valley
- Beaumont ( 480 m ) on a ledge above the Rhône valley
- Sur les Crêts ( 500 m ) on the plateau east of the Rhône valley
Neighboring municipalities of Saint-Germain-sur-Rhône are Éloise in the northeast, Chêne-en-Semine in the southeast, Franclens in the south and Injoux-Génissiat , Billiat and Bellegarde-sur-Valserine in the west.
history
Saint-Germain is first mentioned in a document in the early 15th century. Until 1801 the municipality was called Saint-Germain , after which it was renamed Saint-Germain-en-Sémine and in 1815 Saint-Germain-sur-Rhône . From 1818 the name was again changed to Saint-Germain before the current official name was finally introduced in 1860.
Attractions
The village church of Saint-Germain-sur-Rhône dates from the 19th century.
population
| Population development | |
|---|---|
| year | Residents |
| 1962 | 103 |
| 1968 | 84 |
| 1975 | 169 |
| 1982 | 187 |
| 1990 | 230 |
| 1999 | 305 |
| 2005 | 373 |
With 526 inhabitants (as of January 1, 2017), Saint-Germain-sur-Rhône is one of the small communities in the Haute-Savoie department. In the course of the 19th and 20th centuries, the number of inhabitants decreased continuously due to strong emigration (in 1861 there were still 638 inhabitants in Saint-Germain-sur-Rhône). Since the beginning of the 1970s, however, a significant increase in population has been recorded.
Economy and Infrastructure
Saint-Germain-sur-Rhône is still a predominantly agricultural village today . There are also some local small businesses. A large number of those in employment are commuters who work in the larger towns in the area, particularly in Bellegarde-sur-Valserine .
The village is located away from the larger thoroughfares. Local road links exist with Éloise (Bellegarde-sur-Valserine), Chêne-en-Semine and Franclens. The closest connection to the A40 motorway is around 6 km away.
