Les Agettes
Origin of the name Les Agettes
The place appears in 1190 as « Agietes » and « Gieti ». The municipality was called « Agettes » before taking the name « Les Agettes » in 1964. Where does the name come from? That is still unknown.[1]
Founding of Les Agettes
Les Agettes, on the left bank of the Rhône 12 km from Sion, comprised the settlements of Crête-à-l'Œil, La Vernaz and Les Agettes, between 980 and 1'200 m above sea level. Above them lie mayens with scattered dwellings, where people from Sion owned chalets from the 16th century, then forests and alpine pastures. A lordship of the bishop of Sion enfeoffed to various noble families until 1798, the locality formed a métralie in 1382. A community of the men of Les Agettes and La Vernaz is attested in the early 14th century. Part of the dizain of Sion until 1798, it was incorporated from 1798 to 1815 into the district of Hérémence. The municipality was merged with Vex from 1810 to 1813, then became autonomous again in 1814. Attached to the parish of Vex since the 12th century, it became a parish in 1965. In the 20th century the primary sector declined in favour of the secondary, then the tertiary sector. Tourism and the proximity of Sion, which draws many commuters, stabilised the population at the end of the century. A former municipality of the district of Hérens, Les Agettes is now in the municipality of Sion, district of Sion (merged in 2017).[1]
History of Les Agettes
12th century. Les Agettes belongs to the parish of Vex.[1]
1190. Mentioned as « Agietes » and « Gieti ».[1]
early 14th century. A community of the men of Les Agettes and La Vernaz is attested.[1]
1382. The locality forms a métralie.[1]
16th century. People from Sion own chalets in the mayens.[1]
1557. About 50 inhabitants.[1]
1798. End of the enfeoffment to noble families. Les Agettes moves from the dizain of Sion to the district of Hérémence.[1]
1810-1813. The municipality is merged with Vex.[1]
1814. Les Agettes becomes an autonomous municipality again.[1]
1910. The primary sector employs 88 % of the working population.[1]
1941. The primary sector still employs 75 % of the working population.[1]
1964. The name « Les Agettes » replaces « Agettes ».[1]
1965. Establishment of the parish of the Cœur immaculé de Marie.[1]
1969. Creation of the piste de l'Ours by clearing the forest; the date is uncertain.
1982. Start of the Mayens de l'Ours resort.[1]
1990. The primary sector accounts for only 1.8 % of the working population.[1]
2017. Les Agettes merges with Sion and moves from the district of Hérens to the district of Sion.[1]
Population of Les Agettes
Sources and references: [1]
| 1557 | 50 (about) |
| 1798 | 143 |
| 1900 | 278 |
| 1950 | 239 |
| 1970 | 150 |
| 2000 | 270 |
Historic sites in Les Agettes
Crête-à-l'Œil, La Vernaz and Les Agettes. The three settlements of the former municipality are staggered between 980 and 1'200 m above sea level. A community of the men of Les Agettes and La Vernaz is attested from the early 14th century.[1]
Mayens and Mayens de l'Ours. Above the villages, the mayens with scattered dwellings have held chalets of people from Sion since the 16th century. Higher up, the Mayens de l'Ours resort has developed since 1982, and its piste de l'Ours was reportedly opened in 1969.[1]
Sources
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Agettes, Les » (Danielle Allet-Zwissig, version du 13.01.2017)
- geo.admin.ch, recherche de lieux (coordonnées et villages)
Other villages near Les Agettes
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