Contamines
| Les Contamines-Montjoie | ||
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| Commune | ||
A general view of Les Contamines-Montjoie
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 Les Contamines-Montjoie
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Location within Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region
Les Contamines-Montjoie
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| Coordinates: 45°49′21″N 6°43′48″E / 45.8225°N 6.73°ECoordinates: 45°49′21″N 6°43′48″E / 45.8225°N 6.73°E | ||
| Country | France | |
| Region | Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes | |
| Department | Haute-Savoie | |
| Arrondissement | Bonneville | |
| Canton | Le Mont-Blanc | |
| Government | ||
| • Mayor (2014–2020) | Étienne Jacquet | |
| Area1 | 43.55 km2 (16.81 sq mi) | |
| Population (2014)2 | 1,204 | |
| • Density | 28/km2 (72/sq mi) | |
| Time zone | CET (UTC+1) | |
| • Summer (DST) | CEST (UTC+2) | |
| INSEE/Postal code | 74085 /74170 | |
| Elevation | 990–3,880 m (3,250–12,730 ft) (avg. 1,164 m or 3,819 ft) |
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1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries. 2Population without double counting: residents of multiple communes (e.g., students and military personnel) only counted once. |
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1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.
Les Contamines-Montjoie is a commune in the Haute-Savoie department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France.
The name of the village originates from ancient local dialect. The word “Contamines” once meant ploughable land on the squires estate.
Important dates 1760: Birth of an independent parish (detached from the parish of Saint-Nicolas de Véroce) 1850: Creation of the local Mountain Guides Company 1900: Development of the first tourist infrastructures, hotels etc. 1911: Creation of the local ski club 1937: Creation of the first ski lift 1949: Les Contamines is renamed Les Contamines-Montjoie 1952: Creation of the first chair-lift and the summer playground at l'Etape. 1971: Development of Bellevue, La Ruelle and the Col du Joly.
Les Contamines Montjoie is located in the French Alps. It is approximately 1 1⁄4 hours from the aeroport of Geneva and 15 minutes from the Saint-Gervais-les-Bains-Le Fayet train station and from the A40 Highway (exit 21). Les Contamines is located in between the well known resorts of Chamonix and Megève, it is close to Mont Blanc which means that it is used for both mountain climbing in the Summer and skiing in the Winter. Its proximitiy to Chamonix means that access to Italy is easy via the Mont Blanc Tunnel.
The village of Les Contamines is a jewel at the heart of the Mont Blanc region. The sensation of a hidden valley results in a very close knit local community. The village has preserved its historic aspect. More than 70% of old farm buildings have been restored in respect of the local Savoy architecture.
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Wikipedia