Dorénaz
Coat of arms: Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
Origin of the name Dorénaz
The name appears in the 11th-12th century in the phrase « usque ad frontem Dorone ». The final « z » is not pronounced: it only marks the stress on the penultimate syllable. In Franco-Provençal the name is reportedly written « Dorena ». No explanation has yet been found for this name.[1]
Founding of Dorénaz
Nobody knows who founded Dorénaz. The village lies on the right bank of the Rhône, at the foot of the slopes rising towards Alesse. In the 13th century it belonged to a burgher family of Saint-Maurice, the Wychardy, then passed to the Saint-Jacques hospital, which depended on the abbey of Saint-Maurice. For worship Dorénaz depended on the parish of Saint-Sigismond in Saint-Maurice, later on that of Outre-Rhône, whose church is in Collonges. In the 19th century slate quarries were worked here, with a funicular for export, as well as a coal mine. Most inhabitants today work in Monthey or Saint-Maurice.[1]
History of Dorénaz
11th-12th century. First mention of the locality, in the phrase « usque ad frontem Dorone ».[1]
13th century. Dorénaz belongs to the Wychardy, a burgher family of Saint-Maurice.[1]
1300. The locality passes to the Saint-Jacques hospital, which depends on the abbey of Saint-Maurice.[1]
1476-1798. Dorénaz belongs to the government of Saint-Maurice.[1]
1723. Dorénaz is attached, with Collonges, to the new parish of Outre-Rhône, whose church is in Collonges. Until then it belonged to the parish of Saint-Sigismond in Saint-Maurice.[1]
1741. In May the Valais Diet abolishes the rights of the sacristan of the abbey of Saint-Maurice over the Rosel wood, which reverts to the municipality.[1]
1802-1816. Dorénaz forms the municipality of Outre-Rhône with Collonges and Alesse.[1]
1841. Dorénaz finally obtains the hamlet of Alesse.[1]
1855. Start of mining at the La Méreune coal mine, at about 1'578 m altitude.[2]
1880s. An iron bridge links Dorénaz to Vernayaz and replaces the ferry over the Rhône.[1]
1934. The municipality adopts its coat of arms, whose shell reportedly recalls the Saint-Jacques hospital.
1953. The La Méreune mining site is abandoned.[2]
1956-1958. Construction of the cable car linking Dorénaz to Alesse and Champex d'Alesse, opened in 1958.[3]
2000. Opening of the Maison des contes et légendes, a museum in the village.[1]
Population of Dorénaz
Sources and references: [1][5]
| 1850 | 306 |
| 1900 | 467 |
| 1920 | 648 |
| 1950 | 474 |
| 1980 | 451 |
| 2000 | 607 |
| 2025 | 1'120 |
Historic sites in Dorénaz
Maison des contes et légendes. Museum opened in 2000 in the village centre, devoted to the tales and legends of the Alpine region. It also hosts exhibitions on historical themes.[1]
Alesse and Champex d'Alesse. Mountain hamlets disputed between Collonges and Dorénaz, finally assigned to Dorénaz in 1841. A cable car has linked them to the plain since 1958.[1][3]
Follatères nature reserve. Nature reserve lying partly on the municipal territory.[1]
Bridge over the Rhône. In the 1880s an iron bridge replaced the ferry that linked Dorénaz to Vernayaz.[1]
Remains in Dorénaz
Old La Méreune mines. In the 19th century Dorénaz worked a coal mine. The La Méreune mine, at about 1'578 m, was worked from 1855 and abandoned after 1953.[1][2]
Slate quarries. In the 19th century slate quarries were worked on the municipal territory. A funicular eased the export of the slate.[1]
Sources
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Dorénaz » (Bernard Monnet, version du 24.01.2006)
- swisstopo, fiche d'itinéraire géologique « De Dorénaz à Champex d'Alesse » (R107, mise à jour du 08.06.2009)
- remontees-mecaniques.net, base de données, « Dorénaz : téléphérique Dorénaz-Alesse-Champex d'Alesse »
- Martigny Tourisme, « Maison des contes et légendes »
- Office fédéral de la statistique (OFS), STATPOP, chiffres provisoires au 31.12.2025, via citypopulation.de
- geo.admin.ch, recherche de lieux (coordonnées)
Localities of the municipality with a page
Other villages near Dorénaz
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