Verchaix

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Commune of Verchaix
Location
Longitude	06° 40' 37" E
Latitude	46° 05' 50" N
Administration
Country	France
Region	Rhône-Alpes
Department	Haute-Savoie
Arrondissement	Bonneville
Canton	Samoëns
Mayor	Yvon Denambride (2001-2008)
Statistics
Altitude	654 m–2,092 m (avg. 788 m)
Population² (1999)	558
Miscellaneous
INSEE/Postal code	74294/ 74440
¹ French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 mi² or 247 acres) and river estuaries.
² Population sans doubles comptes: single count of residents of multiple communes (e.g. students and military personnel).

Verchaix is a commune in the Alpine Haute-Savoie Department of France and part of the Samoëns canton.

Contents 1 Geography 2 Industry 3 Population, Culture & Gastronomy 4 Mayor 5 Name

[edit] Geography

Verchaix is located on a small plateau above the north bank of the river Giffre. The commune spans an altitude of 654m to 2092m.

[edit] Industry

There are a small number of hotels and restaurants and Verchaix is a summer and skiing holiday destination.

[edit] Population, Culture & Gastronomy

Population was recorded in 1999 as 558, although this is likely to be much higher now due to new building since that time. Verchaix has a significant non-French population and there is a conspicuous concentration of English retirees. It has become customary for this group to meet regularly to drink aperitifs and consume small pizza-like hors-d'oeuvres. Conversation revolves around local politics with occasional forays into bi-lingualism.

[edit] Mayor

Since 2001 the commune mayor has been Yvon Denambride and his term is due to last until 2008.

[edit] Name

The name Verchaix is taken from the verdant south-facing slopes that have traditionally been used in viticulture.