Icogne
Origin of the name Icogne
The village is mentioned in 1233 as « Ucogni » and in 1249 as « Ucogniez ». Where does the name come from? That is still unknown.[1]
Founding of Icogne
Icogne lies between Ayent to the west and Lens to the east, on the left bank of the Lienne. Part of the resort of Crans-Montana is on its territory. In the Middle Ages the lords of Granges held the village and ceded its feudal rights to the d'Ayent, de la Tour and d'Albi families. At the beginning of the 15th century Icogne was attached to the community of Lens, itself under the authority of the dizain of Sierre. Its statutes of 1603 show that it kept wide autonomy, since Lens, made up of quarters, had no unified administration. Despite the Valais Constitution of 1802 and a cantonal decree of 1851 requiring the quarters to merge into a single municipality, Icogne kept its independence and became an autonomous municipality in 1905. Long agricultural, it hosts hydroelectric plants fed by the Zeuzier dam. With the decline of mountain farming and the growth of tourism in Crans-Montana, it has become a residential village.[1]
History of Icogne
1233. Mentioned as « Ucogni ».[1]
1249. Mentioned as « Ucogniez ».[1]
Middle Ages. The lords of Granges cede their feudal rights over the village to the d'Ayent, de la Tour and d'Albi families.[1]
early 15th century. Icogne is attached to the community of Lens, under the authority of the dizain of Sierre.[1]
1603. The statutes of Icogne attest to the wide autonomy of the quarter within Lens.[1]
1678. Construction of the chapel dedicated to Saint Gregory of Nazianzus.[1]
1802. The Valais Constitution requires the unification of the quarters of Lens. Icogne nevertheless keeps its autonomy.[1]
1851. A cantonal decree requires the quarters of Lens to merge into a single municipality.[1]
1905. Icogne becomes an autonomous municipality.[1]
1917. Commissioning of the Lienne hydroelectric plant on the municipal territory.[1]
1946. After the earthquake the chapel is rebuilt on another site.[1]
1957. Commissioning of the Croix hydroelectric plant, fed like the Lienne plant by the Zeuzier dam.[1][2]
Population of Icogne
Sources and references: [1][3]
| 1687 | 174 inhabitants |
| 1850 | 271 inhabitants |
| 1910 | 243 inhabitants |
| 1950 | 218 inhabitants |
| 2000 | 404 inhabitants |
| 2025 | 625 |
Historic sites in Icogne
Chapel of Saint-Grégoire-de-Nazianze. Village chapel belonging to the parish of Lens. Built in 1678, it was rebuilt on another site after the earthquake of 1946.[1]
Zeuzier dam and Lienne power plants. The Zeuzier dam feeds the Lienne (1917) and Croix (1957) hydroelectric plants built in the municipality.[1][2]
Crans-Montana. Part of the resort of Crans-Montana lies on the territory of Icogne. Its tourist growth has helped turn the village into a residential municipality.[1]
Sources
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Icogne » (Serge Praplan, version du 08.12.2008)
- Comité suisse des barrages (swissdams.ch), fiche « Zeuzier » (Olivier Gicot) (construction 1954-1957, centrales alimentées)
- Office fédéral de la statistique (OFS), STATPOP, chiffres provisoires au 31.12.2025, via citypopulation.de
- geo.admin.ch, recherche de lieux (coordonnées)
Other villages near Icogne
Missing information, or do you have a source? Suggest a correction or addition. Every submission is checked before it's published.
Suggest a change