Verchaix

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Coordinates: 46°05′50″N 6°40′37″E / 46.0972222222, 6.67694444444

Commune of Verchaix
Location
Administration
Country	France
Region	Rhône-Alpes
Department	Haute-Savoie
Arrondissement	Bonneville
Canton	Samoëns
Mayor	Yvon Denambride (2001-2008)
Statistics
Elevation	654 m–2,092 m (avg. 788 m)
Population¹ (1999)	558
Miscellaneous
INSEE/Postal code	74294/ 74440
1 Population sans doubles comptes: residents of multiple communes (e.g. students and military personnel) only counted once.

Verchaix is a commune in the Alpine Haute-Savoie Department of France and part of the Samoëns canton.

Contents 1 Geography 2 Industry 3 Population, Culture & Gastronomy 4 Mayor 5 Name

[edit] Geography

Verchaix is located on a small plateau above the north bank of the river Giffre. The commune spans an altitude of 654m to 2092m.

[edit] Industry

There are a small number of hotels and restaurants and Verchaix is a summer and skiing holiday destination.

[edit] Population, Culture & Gastronomy

Population was recorded in 1999 as 558, although this is likely to be much higher now due to new building since that time. Verchaix has a significant non-French population and there is a conspicuous concentration of English retirees. It has become customary for this group to meet regularly to drink aperitifs and consume small pizza-like hors-d'oeuvres. Conversation revolves around local politics with occasional forays into bi-lingualism.

[edit] Mayor

Since 2001 the commune mayor has been Yvon Denambride and his term is due to last until 2008.

[edit] Name

The name Verchaix is taken from the verdant south-facing slopes that have traditionally been used in viticulture.