Hameau de Vercland
Samoëns
Located on the other side of the valley, the village of Vercland is one of the many hamlets around Samoëns. The historical home of the stonemasons and the site of the first mechanical ski lifts, Vercland lived through a turbulent period in its history.
Read moreIn 1882, a group of inhabitants decided to create the syndicate for separation. They demanded an independent Vercland and planned to break free of Samoëns, preferring to form closer ties with Morillon and trade with the lower valley. At the time, Vercland was home to 561 souls, 161 of whom could vote. The signatories of the demand highlighted the geographical position of the village and the fact that there was only one bridge over the Giffre: a problem when it came to burying their dead and transporting their materials. The protestors claimed that the difficulties in getting around, the distance from the seat of local government and the inadequate work to dam the Giffre were all detrimental to the local economy. "We hope that we have demonstrated that this separation is necessary if we are to stem the depopulation that is depriving agriculture of intelligent men and strong arms", states the conclusion of the case for the independence of Vercland and its elevation to the status of a locality. The local council threw out every one of the complaints and observations. If the hamlet of Vercland became independent, "the inhabitants would have to build their own town hall, presbytery and gardens, a vast sacristy, a graveyard etc." Not to mention the appointment of a school teacher, a council secretary, a policeman and a forester. Since then, a lot of water has flowed under the bridge over the Giffre. Today, the main road stretches as far as the Saix plateau, the school and the cheese plant have been converted and the arrival of winter sports has changed both the countryside and ways of thinking. Today, who would think of demanding independence for this village that looks out over the town, the Criou and the vast Vallon plain? Vercland has stayed in line for more than a century now and only the hamlet of Le Béné on the Saix road proclaimed itself to be a "free commune" a few years ago. The initiative was taken by an eccentric Swiss who very unofficially appointed himself as the mayor of Béné and promptly twinned the hamlet with the village of Chantemerle, home to one of his compatriots...
Little more than an excuse for some fine food and merry-making.
Place added by
Leo
Description
Located on the other side of the valley, the village of Vercland is one of the many hamlets around Samoëns. The historical home of the stonemasons and the site of the first mechanical ski lifts, Vercland lived through a turbulent period in its history.
Read moreIn 1882, a group of inhabitants decided to create the syndicate for separation. They demanded an independent Vercland and planned to break free of Samoëns, preferring to form closer ties with Morillon and trade with the lower valley. At the time, Vercland was home to 561 souls, 161 of whom could vote. The signatories of the demand highlighted the geographical position of the village and the fact that there was only one bridge over the Giffre: a problem when it came to burying their dead and transporting their materials. The protestors claimed that the difficulties in getting around, the distance from the seat of local government and the inadequate work to dam the Giffre were all detrimental to the local economy. "We hope that we have demonstrated that this separation is necessary if we are to stem the depopulation that is depriving agriculture of intelligent men and strong arms", states the conclusion of the case for the independence of Vercland and its elevation to the status of a locality. The local council threw out every one of the complaints and observations. If the hamlet of Vercland became independent, "the inhabitants would have to build their own town hall, presbytery and gardens, a vast sacristy, a graveyard etc." Not to mention the appointment of a school teacher, a council secretary, a policeman and a forester. Since then, a lot of water has flowed under the bridge over the Giffre. Today, the main road stretches as far as the Saix plateau, the school and the cheese plant have been converted and the arrival of winter sports has changed both the countryside and ways of thinking. Today, who would think of demanding independence for this village that looks out over the town, the Criou and the vast Vallon plain? Vercland has stayed in line for more than a century now and only the hamlet of Le Béné on the Saix road proclaimed itself to be a "free commune" a few years ago. The initiative was taken by an eccentric Swiss who very unofficially appointed himself as the mayor of Béné and promptly twinned the hamlet with the village of Chantemerle, home to one of his compatriots...
Little more than an excuse for some fine food and merry-making.
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