Taney
Origin of the name Taney
Also written Tanay, the name comes from the « tannes », the many caves hidden in the rocks around this high valley. It reappears in the name of an orchid endemic to the western Prealps, discovered on the limestone screes of the place, the Orchis de Tanay (Anacamptis pyramidalis subsp. tanayensis).[2]
Founding of Taney
Taney is one of the two mountain hamlets of the municipality of Vouvry, together with Miex. It sits on a long ledge by the lake, surrounded by wooded and rocky slopes that drop steeply into the water. The valley served as mayens: small buildings, grouped near a chapel west of the lake, housed the farmers of Vouvry and Miex, who stopped there with their cattle and made hay. The village's dwellings are now reserved for the burghers of Vouvry.[1][2][3]
History of Taney
About 35'000 years ago. Mousterian people use a rock shelter at Taney. These are the only known traces of their presence in Valais.[1][2]
1798. Vouvry forms a municipality with Miex and Taney.[1]
Around the late 19th century. At the Anciens Chalets de Loz, at around 1'760 m, on the summer pastures of the Montagne de Loz, the burgher families tend their own cattle until about this time.[2]
1901. A 900 m penstock carries the lake's water to the Vouvry power station, put into service that year.[1][2]
Around 1960. End of haymaking on the mayens. The hay was brought down to the village at the start of winter.[2]
1965. The Taney area becomes a site protected at federal level.[1]
Historic sites in Taney
Lac de Taney. Natural lake whose level is regulated artificially. It fills a glacial overdeepening, and part of its water reaches the springs of the Tové valley through the karst.[2]
Chapel of Notre-Dame des Neiges. Chapel of the parish of Vouvry, where prayers, masses and baptisms can be held in summer and winter.[3]
Remains in Taney
Abri aux Creux. Rock shelter reportedly used as a hunting stop by Palaeolithic people.[2]
Cave bear caves. The caves of the alpine zone hold many traces of occupation by the cave bear.[2]
Sources
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Vouvry » (David Rey, version du 05.01.2015)
- Office fédéral de l'environnement (OFEV), Inventaire fédéral des paysages (IFP), fiche de l'objet 1702 « Lac de Tanay »
- Paroisses catholiques du Haut-Lac, « Vouvry »
- Office fédéral de la statistique (OFS), STATPOP, chiffres provisoires au 31.12.2025, via citypopulation.de
- geo.admin.ch, recherche de lieux (coordonnées du hameau)
Other villages near Taney
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