Champsec
Origin of the name Champsec
No dated early form of the name Champsec is known, and its origin remains obscure.
Founding of Champsec
Champsec is a village of the former municipality of Bagnes, part of the municipality of Val de Bagnes since 2021. When the village first appeared is not known. Its documented history begins with the chapel that the men of the quarter built in 1684, probably to fulfil a vow, and that the Giétro outburst flood destroyed in 1818. Before the rise of tourism, farmers from Champsec and Lourtier went up each year for a few weeks to the mayen of Fionnay.[1][2][3]
History of Champsec
1684. The men of the quarter build a chapel, probably to fulfil a vow, on the site of the present school. It is consecrated on 20 April. Its initial endowment is 350 florins for seven annual masses.[1][2]
1706. The chapel is placed under the patronage of Our Lady of Compassion.[1][2]
1786. The chapel is dedicated to the Assumption. During his visit, Bishop Zen-Ruffinen orders the repair of « la fenêtre qui tombait en pièces » (the window that was falling to pieces). It then has 12 foundation masses.[1][2]
1818. On the evening of 16 June, the Giétro outburst flood sweeps the chapel away « comme un fêtu de paille » (like a wisp of straw).[1][2]
1820. A new chapel is built by volunteer labour on a rock above the village, under the direction of the master mason Jacques Belzarde of Martigny. It is consecrated in November.[2]
1822. The visitation record notes that the chapel has ten foundation masses.[1]
1865. A Way of the Cross is installed. Around 1869 a cracked bell is replaced.[2]
1923. The chapel is enlarged and refurnished thanks to the inhabitants and to benefactors from Champsec.[1][2]
1961. Restoration of the chapel, followed by another in 1977.[2]
2023. The village has 254 inhabitants on 1 January.[4]
Population of Champsec
Sources and references: [4]
| 2023 | 254 inhabitants |
Historic sites in Champsec
Chapel of Saint-Bernard. Chapel rebuilt in 1820 on a rock above the village after the first chapel was destroyed by the 1818 outburst flood. First dedicated to Our Lady of Compassion (1706), then to the Assumption (1786), it now has Saint Bernard of Menthon as its patron. It holds a painting by Félix Corthay showing the saint crossing the Great St Bernard Pass with nine pilgrims.[1][2]
Oratory of La Montau. Oratory dedicated to Saint Zeno, near the village.[1]
Sources
- Constant Rust, « La vallée de Bagnes et ses vieilles chapelles : histoire et coutumes », Annales valaisannes (numérisé par RERO DOC)
- Verbier Promotion, « Champsec Chapel »
- Commune de Val de Bagnes, Archives communales, « L'éveil touristique de la station de Fionnay »
- Commune de Val de Bagnes, Office de la population (Stéphane Michellod), « Statistique des habitants » au 1er janvier 2023
- geo.admin.ch, recherche de lieux (coordonnées)
Other villages near Champsec
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