Fully
Origin of the name Fully
The name appears in the 11th century as « Fuliacum ». The old German name was reportedly « Füllien ». It is said to come from the Latin personal name Ful(l)ius with a suffix of Celtic origin (« estate of Fullius »). Another hypothesis links it to the broadleaf trees that covered the slope. Neither explanation is established.[1]
Founding of Fully
Nobody knows who founded Fully. Yet the territory, on the right bank of the Rhône between Martigny and Saillon, has been occupied since prehistory: a Neolithic axe, Early Bronze Age graves and a La Tène cemetery have been found here. In Roman times a military post held Les Follatères and a necropolis lay at Mazembroz. In the Middle Ages the salterie (forester's office) of Fully-Branson came under the Savoyard castellany of Saillon. Fully remained tied to Saillon for justice and military matters even after joining the government (bailiwick) of Saint-Maurice. The municipality brings together eighteen hamlets, including Vers-l'Église, the chief place, Branson, Châtaignier and Mazembroz.[1]
History of Fully
around 750. The first sanctuary is said to date from this time.[1]
11th century. Mentioned in the form « Fuliacum ».[1]
13th century. The salterie of Fully-Branson comes under the Savoyard castellany of Saillon.[1]
1276. A parish priest is mentioned.[1]
1444. Fully has 80 hearths.[1]
1475. After the conquest of Lower Valais, Fully belongs to the government of Saint-Maurice.[1]
1560. Fully has 180 hearths.[1]
1644. The inhabitants are freed from the taille.[1]
1743. The inhabitants buy out the right of escheat.[1]
1747. The church is rebuilt.[1]
1798. Fully is attached to the district of Martigny. It has 694 inhabitants and eighteen hamlets.[1]
1862-1879. Embankment works on the Rhône.[1]
1867. A cholera epidemic reportedly struck Branson, and Sister Louise Bron is said to have died caring for the sick.
1890. A station on the Simplon line is opened.[1]
1912. The Lac de Fully dam (2'139 m) and the power plant are built.[1]
1920. Completion of the division of the burgher properties, allowing new crops to be introduced (asparagus, strawberries, fruit trees).[1]
1934. The church of Saint-Symphorien is rebuilt a second time.[1]
1948. Rhône flood.[1]
1992. The power plant's machine hall is converted into a performance venue.[1]
2000. During the October storms, a major rockfall reaches the plain vineyards and areas close to houses.[1]
Population of Fully
Sources and references: [1][3]
| 1444 | 80 hearths (households) |
| 1560 | 180 hearths (households) |
| 1798 | 694 |
| 1850 | 1'038 |
| 1900 | 1'494 |
| 1950 | 3'150 |
| 2000 | 5'587 |
| 2025 | 9'408 |
Historic sites in Fully
Church of Saint-Symphorien. The first sanctuary is said to date back to around 750. The church was rebuilt in 1747 and again in 1934. Its choir bears a large fresco of the life of Saint Symphorian, reportedly painted by Paul Monnier, Albert Chavaz, Edmond Bille and Joseph Gautschi.[1][2]
Hamlet chapels. Chapels at Branson (Saint-Ours), Mazembroz (Saint-Gothard), Sorniot (or Sorgno) and Chiboz.[1]
Chestnut grove. Chestnut growing is part of the traditional economy. The largest surviving grove, above Vers-l'Église, reportedly has over 1'000 trees on about 17 hectares and belongs to the Bourgeoisie.
Dam and power plant. The Lac de Fully dam (2'139 m) and the power plant were built in 1912. The machine hall became a performance venue in 1992.[1][2]
Les Follatères. Spur that held a Roman military post, now a federal botanical reserve.[1]
Remains in Fully
Prehistoric finds. A Neolithic axe, Early Bronze Age graves and a La Tène cemetery have been found in the municipality.[1]
Roman remains. A military post stood on the Follatères spur, and a Roman-period necropolis was discovered at Mazembroz.[1]
Sources
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Fully » (Benjamin Roduit, version du 14.06.2007)
- Office fédéral de la protection de la population (PBC), « Révision Inventaire PBC 2021 : liste cantonale du canton du Valais » (état au 1.1.2026)
- 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 Fully
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