Usinens
| Usinens | ||
|---|---|---|
|
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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 | 260-528 m | |
| surface | 7.63 km 2 | |
| Residents | 402 (January 1, 2017) | |
| Population density | 53 inhabitants / km 2 | |
| Post Code | 74910 | |
| INSEE code | 74285 | |
Usinens is a French commune in the department of Haute-Savoie in the region of Auvergne Rhône-Alpes .
geography
Usinens is located at 417 m , near Bellegarde-sur-Valserine , about 25 kilometers west-northwest of the city of Annecy (as the crow flies). The farming village extends in a promising location on a ledge above the Vallée des Usses, shortly before its opening towards the Rhone Valley , in the Genevois .
The area of the 7.63 km² large municipality covers a section of the western Genevois. The western border runs mainly along the Godette , which flows here in a valley to the south to the Usses. The community area extends from the stream to the east over the Usinens slope to the high plateau between the Rhône and Usses valleys. Here, at 528 m, the Usinens' highest elevation is reached. To the south-east, the communal soil extends into the mostly forested valley of the Usses.
In addition to the actual town center, Usinens also includes several hamlet settlements and farms, including:
- Bénoz ( 370 m ) on the slope west of the Godette valley cut
- Châtel ( 270 m ) at the confluence of the Godette and Usses rivers
- Croix ( 380 m ) on the northern slope of the Usses valley
- Tanay ( 380 m ) on the northern slope of the Usses valley
- Bovinens ( 490 m ) on the edge of the Semine plateau
Usinens neighbors are Chêne-en-Semine in the north, Vanzy and Desingy in the east, Seyssel and Bassy in the south and Challonges in the west.
history
The municipality of Usinens was already settled during Roman times. The place is first mentioned in the 13th century under the names Uzinengus and Usenens ; from 1303 the name Usunens is handed down. The place name goes back to the Burgundian personal name Uswin and means with the suffix -ens as much as with the people of the Uswin. In the Middle Ages, Usinens was under the rule of the Castellanei Châtel.
Attractions
The village church of Usinens dates from the 19th century. There is a chapel in Châtel. The Château de Châtel, which was built in the 13th century, was later renovated and redesigned several times.
population
| Population development | |
|---|---|
| year | Residents |
| 1962 | 287 |
| 1968 | 280 |
| 1975 | 239 |
| 1982 | 229 |
| 1990 | 236 |
| 1999 | 255 |
| 2004 | 339 |
With 402 inhabitants (as of January 1, 2017) Usinens is one of the small communities in the Haute-Savoie department. In the course of the 20th century, the population decreased continuously due to strong emigration (in 1901, Usinens still had 556 inhabitants). Since the beginning of the 1990s, however, a significant increase in population has been recorded.
Economy and Infrastructure
Usinens is still today a predominantly agricultural village. Usinens 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. 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 connections exist with Seyssel, Chêne-en-Semine and Challonges. The closest connection to the A40 motorway is around 8 km away.
