Port-Choiseul
Origin of the name Port-Choiseul
The harbour was the centre of the Versoix-la-Ville building site, a project launched in the circle of the Secretary of State Choiseul, minister of Louis XV. The name reportedly refers to this minister. It is not known since when the harbour has been called « Port-Choiseul ».
Founding of Port-Choiseul
Port-Choiseul lies in the municipality of Versoix. As the embargo imposed on Genève by France in 1766 proved more harmful to the Pays de Gex than to Genève, the idea arose in the military circle of the Secretary of State Choiseul of developing at Versoix a fortified trading town with a harbour, which would control land and lake traffic between Genève and Bern; Voltaire supported the project. On 22 September 1768 the harbour works were entrusted to Léonard Racle, architect and contractor. In February 1770 more than 1'200 people settled on the building site, centred on the harbour and on a canal meant to link the Rhône to the Rhine. The whole remained unfinished after Choiseul's disgrace in December 1770.[1][2]
History of Port-Choiseul
1766. The embargo imposed on Genève by France gives rise to the project of a fortified trading town with a harbour at Versoix, planned for 30'000 inhabitants.[1][2]
1768. On 22 September the harbour works are entrusted to Léonard Racle, architect, contractor and friend of Voltaire.[2]
1770. In February, after new political unrest in Genève, more than 1'200 people settle on the building site, centred on the harbour and the canal meant to link the Rhône to the Rhine.[1]
1770. In December Choiseul's disgrace deprives the project of its main supporter. Funding stops, the works halt and Racle is ruined and prosecuted.[1][2]
1777. Last revivals of the Versoix-la-Ville project.[1]
1886-1888. The stones of Port-Choiseul are used to build the quays of Versoix and Cologny.[1]
1962-1963. The harbour is rebuilt and becomes a marina (or from 1961, date uncertain).[1]
2021-2022. From autumn 2021 to spring 2022 the cantonal harbour office renovates the port: dredging of more than 11'000 m³ of sediment, reorganisation of the 700 moorings, at a cost of 1'960'000 francs.[2]
Historic sites in Port-Choiseul
Port-Choiseul marina. Harbour with 700 moorings, whose structure dates from the 1960s, renovated from 2021 to 2022.[2]
Sources
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Versoix » (Françoise Dubosson), version du 03.04.2019
- État de Genève (Ge-environnement), « Bienvenue à Port-Choiseul ! »
- geo.admin.ch, service de recherche de swisstopo (quartier Port Choiseul, coordonnées)
Other villages near Port-Choiseul
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