The region.

The Abondance valley with its numerous activities has something for everyone in terms of leisure pursuits. In addition the six villages (Chevenoz, Vacheresse, Bonnevaux, Abondance, La Chapelle d’Abondance and Châtel) have a rich and varied past that will appeal to anyone interested in history.

Limited by the montain ranges to the north and south the valley opens to the Valais region of Switzerland to the east and Lake Geneva to the west. The geography of the valley was formed by glaciation during the quarternary period to give large undulating plains, lakes, cirques, all of which give a landscape of exceptional beauty, in places restful and in others quite dramatic.

The River Dranse d’Abondance is the backbone of the valley. It is joined by the Dranse de Morzine and numerous mountain streams (called ‘nants’) before flowing into Lake Geneva. The setting, changing from rocky outcrops to gentle pastures, from winter snow to summer sunshine, is a refuge for rare and protected species such as the queen of the apls thistle, the lady’s slipper orchid and the hairy alpenrose.

Concerning the human population, the first written documents date from the 11th century but we know that there was human settlements from 4000 BC . In the 11th century the first canons founded the St Marie Church in Abondance, their lands limited by the Morgins and Abondance passes. The villages and their inhabitants were dependent on the church until the 18th century. In a few words you could say that the Abondance valley lived a spiritual life controlled largely by the abbey until it closed in 1761.

Politically the states of Savoie (reunited under the kingdom of Piémont-Sardaigne) looked for a place in Europe alongside their powerful neighbours : France and the German Empire. After a period of revolution and restauration (Savoie became of France for a year in 1792) Savoie was a place of secular politics and economic exchange increasingly using the French language until the Savoyardes finally voted in 1860 to once again be a part of France.

The valley has developed economically and socially under a system of subsistence farming, mainly dairy cattle (essential for cheese making) and exploitation of the higher pastures and meadows. Other activities developed in the 19th century such as forestry and wood working. More recently the region has seen a growth in tourism with spa resorts and mountain hotels taking advantage of the alpine climate and clean air to promote better health and rosy cheeks...

Enjoy your visit !