Finhaut : A brief history

THE ORIGINS OF SALVAN AND VALLORCINE

The first inhabitants came from Salvan and campsites. Around 1270, a  family left to settle in the Salvan mayen of Finhaut. At the same time, in 1264, the prior gives the Chamonix area between the neck and Montets Barberine to a Walser community, whose members will later settle in Châtelard and Giétroz.

The territory is administered by Metraux, a representative of the abbot of Saint-Maurice, spiritual lordof the left bank of the valley of Trento. Métrallie extends from the Rhone to the Vernayaz Emosson pastures.

FROM THE PLAGUE A PARISH IS BORN

In 1638, a plague afflicts the region. For security reasons, the population of Finhaut carries their dead to Salvan, thus establishing the first cemetery. The first chapel was also built. It is the founding act of the parish of Finhaut officially incorporated on 16, 17 and 18 June 1649 in Salvan. A Métral is appointed and the first church built.

The territory of the valley is therefore shared between Finhaut and Salvan, with the exception of the undivided plain (currently Vernayaz) which accrue to a quarter and three quarters Finhaut in Salvan. The final separation of the two municipalities is settle in 1874..

A SIMPLE; WELL-ORGANIZED KLIFE

The population lives off agriculture produces. They follow the grass with herds and during winter pastures in the plains, the Léchère mayen spring pastures Emosson and Old Emosson summer fairs and harvest in Martigny in the fall. There a trade of cheese, meats, game, wood, and more exotic but essential salts and tissues started to develop.

The organization of the town is set in villages. Four entities are represented in the municipal council: Châtelard, Giétroz, The Cotze and The Léamon. The latter two villages are now the village of Finhaut. Each of the four villages have their General Council, his oven, his school, his fire and his representative council.

A gamekeeper and forest guards ensure that council decisions are respected. They are announced by the drum Sunday after church, on the village square. It sets including days when he is allowed to go to the forest leaves, branches or wood.

Public works are carried out by drudgery, called yamphes. Each family is required to send one of its members under penalty of fine. The path of the goats is regulated to preserve the forest, particularly those located above the village which provide a clear protective role.

THE TOURISM BOOM

In the 18th and 19th centuries, the traditional Finhaut evolves and changes face. Attendance in the region, located on the route Chamonix-Martigny, increases gradually. Passengers transit  can be done either by the Col de Balme, or by the  Montets neck and Black Head. The guidebooks mention the valley of Trento and Finhaut as early as 1834.

At the same time, Finhautbuilds its first hotel. Châtelard-Frontier, which had until then a customs post and a fortified gate, is developed. In 1865, the town has three hotels, five in 1879, 1901 and eleven in nineteen on the eve of WWI. This development is consistent with that of communication channels, including the construction of the railway in 1906 Martigny-Châtelard which can reach Chamonix in 1908.

This is the golden age of tourism . Finhaut is known far and wide. The station competes with Zermatt. The good European aristocracy and bourgeoisie rendezvous there to spend the summer. Many buildings date from this period.

The population is diversifying its activities, mountain farmers become owners of hotels, porters, laundresses, coachmen, guides and shopkeepers. The 1913 Baedeker guide describes the site as a charming, popular as a health resort with a beautiful view over the valley of Trento, Trento Glacier and Aiguille du Tour.