Gex is a French commune, sub-prefecture of the department of Ain, located north-east of it, at the end of the region Auvergne Rhone -Alps; The Pays de Gex is located between the Jura massif and Lake Geneva, in the extreme west of Switzerland and in the north-east of the French department of Ain. It is a very individualized territory due to its location between the high chain of Jura and the Swiss border. Gex is the capital of the natural and historical region of the Pays de Gex. It is part of Greater Geneva.
Gex is located on the eastern foothills of the Jura massif, it is notably dominated to the west by the Florimont, located at the front of the Jura mountains. It is linked to the Jura department by the Col de la Faucille. It is a “gateway city” to the Haut-Jura Regional Natural Park. Gex is located on the Journans river, and on the Oudar and has several hamlets: La Faucille, Les Maladières, Pitegny and Tougin.
The mountain dominating the country is a real backbone and a climatic barrier; it culminates at Crêt de la Neige at an altitude of 1,720 meters. At the top, the mountain pastures are maintained thanks to the transhumance of cattle. The slope is covered with forests. The plain, backed by the mountain, has an altitude of between 350 and 600 meters.
It is an area which has grown considerably since 1954 with the creation of CERN and 1960 with the arrival in Geneva of numerous international organizations. According to the classification “Where is it good to live in France?” directed by Les Echos in 2015, the French Genevois the job pool which includes Gex is the 1st rank of 304 Scheduled Areas. Benefits from the economic activity of the French- speaking town causing an ever greater increase in the population.
History
GEX, regional capital since the 11th century. Located at an altitude of 600 m at the foot of the Col de la Faucille, Gex established itself very early on as a privileged transfer hub.
Antiquity
Gex was inhabited from 1800 BC. BC About 220 years before the Christian era, Gex and its surroundings were adopted by a horde of warriors, “the Gesates” (so called because they were armed with a gaesium, so lance iron ). The city was subsequently under Roman occupation.
In 58 BC, the Helvetians, fleeing the Germans and deprived of access to Geneva by Julius Caesar, tried to reach Gaul.
Middle Ages
In the 11th century, Gex appears in the texts as the center of an administrative district placed under the authority of the Count of Geneva. In 1178, a new seigneury was created: Gex is its capital. From these feudal times, posterity retained the name of Léonette, Dame de Gex, emblem of Gessian independence. Even today, the town perpetuates its memory by displaying the coat of arms of the Lord of Joinville, her husband, and by organizing each year a medieval festival called the Bird.
Léonette Geneva, lady Gex, born in 1230, great grand-daughter of the Count of Geneva, Amedee I st, dowry the city of Gex Simon II of Joinville, third son of Simon de Joinville and Beatrice of Auxonne, Lord of Marnay, at the time of their marriage in 1252. The latter came to the castle of Marnay endowed with his mother to receive the seigneury of Gex.
In the xiii th century, the lords of Joinville install a squire and a judge in the city. The November 7, 1292 The Gex franchises were signed, which made it possible to define the rights and duties of citizens. In 1343, Hugues de Joinville instituted a Carmelite convent, which with the Saint-Georges church was attached to the ramparts.
The 1 st March 1305, Gérard de Grésy (Savoie) sells the Maladière 18 tower to Guillaume de Joinville as well as the Tougins castle.
The November 13, 1353 the city of Gex and its castle were taken by the Savoyards, and the country of Gex was incorporated for nearly two centuries into the States of Savoy.
In this period, The people of Gex know how to benefit from a nature rich in forests and pastures. A rural society was then founded which would last until the 19th century.
Modern times
The country of Gex was invaded in 1536 by the Bernese, who created a bailiwick in Gex, headed by a bailiff. The country of Gex was returned to Savoy by the treaties of Nyon in 1563 and of Lausanne in 1564. The Genevans seized it in 1589 20. The Savoyards, helped by the Spaniards, tried several times to take back the country of Gex, in vain, and carried out massacres. During their last attacks, the town of Gex was set on fire twice, on July 23 and 30, 1590; few houses escape. The walls that had protected the city since 1550 were destroyed at this time. The current town hall is located at the site of the Porte de Bonmont or the Clock.
In 1601, the country of Gex was definitively attached to France by the Treaty of Lyon, under the reign of Henri IV. The King of France maintains the bailiff, competent for administration, police, taxes, military affairs and justice. His function will then be shared between a civil and criminal lieutenant (for justice matters) and a sub-delegate of the Intendant of Burgundy (for the administration).
The attachment to the kingdom of France in 1601 consolidates Gex in its role of regional capital. Chief town of bailiwick, Gex is also the seat of the subdelegation of the Intendant of Burgundy. Place of power, the city owes a lot to the presence of Voltaire in Ferney and concentrates the wealthy families of the surroundings.
Contemporary period
From 1814, Gex became a sub-prefecture. On November 20, 1815 a treaty between France and the allied powers fixed, among others, the borders with Switzerland and the six municipalities of Collex-Bossy, Le Grand-Saconnex, Meyrin, Pregny-Chambésy, Vernier and Versoix were removed from the district of Gex and attached to the canton of Geneva.
In the 18th century, the city exceeds 2 000. Its development continues at the xix th century through sustained agricultural activity, with fairs and markets. A tram existed.
During the Second World War, Gex sees the passage of Klaus Barbie appointed then head of security. For a few months, he used the city as a rear base to lead a spy mission in Switzerland.
From 1952, Gex developed its winter tourism thanks to the Mijoux-La Faucille resort, accessible via the Col de la Faucille. The arrival of many frontier workers and CERN transforms the city, provoking the creation of new neighborhoods. A historic center with houses of xv th and xvi th centuries, a church, renovated in the xix th century and vandalized during the weekend of the Assumption in 2015 were kept.
Since the 1960s, Gex has experienced a real boom linked to that of Geneva. The quality of its air, its family resort at the foot of Mont Rond, its ski area of Vattay have a lot to do with it. Still, the major attraction of Gex, in addition to its authenticity, lies in the exceptional panorama of the Alps, according to Jean Jacques Rousseau himself: one of the most beautiful in Europe.
Today, a large part of its population crosses the border and works in Switzerland, particularly in the tertiary sector.
Historical heritage
A historic route, marked out by numbered terminals and set up by the municipality in 1995, allows you to discover station after station the evolution of urban construction, the architecture of public buildings or private mansions as well as fountains, doors and remarkable windows. This route was the subject of a first renovation in 2016 and an extension in 2019 (43 signs).
The ramparts of La Chenaillette (walls restored in 1755),
The passage de l’Abondance leading once to the main entrance of the feudal castle,
The ruins of the castle, place of residence of the barons of Gex then of the Savoyard lords and Bernese bailiffs, completely dismantled by the Genevans in 1589,
The parish church (1860) built in local stone,
The hospital founded in 1660 by Louis XIV and managed by the Congregation of the Daughters of Charity and enlarged twice to accommodate 20 beds in 1854,
The town hall (1870) incorporating the halls moved and rebuilt in 1857, a central tower rebuilt in imitation of the former Porte de Bonmont,
The old prison (1849), current library and music school,
The courthouse (1886) near the old prison,
The 16th century house, having survived the fire of 1590, whose facade of 3 floors overlooks the rue de l’Eglise, and having belonged to the wealthy families of Gex: the Séquaudats and the lords of Pitegny,
The Fabry house (- where the sub-prefecture settled between 1815 and 1870 – mansion bought in 1767 by Louis Gaspard Fabry and bordering the Place des Trois Ormeaux, current Place de l’Appétit,
The building (30 meters long) replacing in 1852 the Carmelite convent founded by Guillaume de Joinville on August 20, 1343, Place de la Visitation,
The castle of Tougin belonging to the family of Livron at the beginning of the 14th century, then to Marc Panissod in 1727 and bequeathed in 1737 to the Sisters of Charity to found a hospice there,
The Perdtemps school (1872) built on the site of the old church demolished in 1871; the architect gives this general secondary education boarding school a neo-Gothic aspect reinforced by two round towers at each end,
The many fountains, including that in Place des Halles, des Quatre Goulettes restored in 1746 by Jean-Louis Bovet, Geneva architect or that of Bourg-d’en-haut or Ursulines which has existed since 1629, or that of the Carmelites called de la Petite Goulette, whose excellent quality water attracted the Gessians
The monument to the dead: inaugurated on November 2, 1921.
Cultural heritage
Firemen’s Museum
The Departmental Museum of Firefighters opened in June 1999. It is managed by Discount 01, an association whose goal is to safeguard a heritage and make known the great and beautiful history of firefighters through the ages. Discover 200 years of history through the exhibition of various materials and equipment, living testimonies of the dedication and courage of our firefighters over the years. This heritage, gathered by themes, offers an initiatory journey of scientific, technical and human evolution. It is the memory of a collective culture to be preserved in order to understand the present and build the future. On February 23, 2016, in the Principality of Monaco, His Serene Highness Prince Albert presented a collection vehicle to the Musée de Gex, a Berliet 415 from 1971.
Patio cinema
The Patio is a cinema proximity, closer to spectators by its location, its programming, its conviviality, giving it a “neighborhood cinema” spirit. Quality which offers an “arthouse” program embellished with the Young Audience, Repertory & Heritage, Research & Discovery labels, short films, films in original versions, animations, festivals and of course all this in good screening conditions (no snacking and no advertising). Intelligent which evolves by taking into account the opinion of its spectators thanks to the Internet and exchanges with the cinema team. Accessible with subtitled films for the deaf or hard of hearing.
The municipal library
Located rue de Gex-la-Ville, in the city center, with easy access thanks to an adjoining car park, the library is next to the cultural center, which houses the Maison des Jeunes et de la Culture, and is located on the ground floor. pavement of the Gex music school. It is installed in the old city prison dating from the 19th century. This remarkable building provides a friendly welcome and privacy in the old converted cells. The library is open 20 hours a week all year round (except public holidays) and without schedule changes during school holidays (large and small). The library provides more than 17,000 books (albums, novels, documentaries, comics for young people and adults, etc.) including 400 audio CDs and 500 DVD films.
Cultural events and festivities
Each year, the cultural service organizes the program of concerts and shows – for adults, children or all audiences – which are the subject of a widely distributed brochure.
Traditional festivals and events organized in Gex:
the Spring of poets in March,
the Carnival organized by the City for all schools, i.e. around 1,500 children,
the “Garden Day at Journans” in April,
the “Medieval Festival” (over two days) in May,
the festival of 5 continents in partnership with the municipal cinema and the association “Cultures et cinémas”,
the Fête de l’Oiseau de Gex, organized by the “Knights of the Bird”, between the end of May and the beginning of June,
the music festival in the city center, on June 21,
the street arts festival “Tôt ou T’Arts” organized by the socio-cultural center “Les Libellules”, in June,
open-air cinema screenings in July and August on the PERDTEMPS esplanade,
the national holiday: ball, organized by the Fanfare Battery, and fireworks on July 13,
free summer musical scenes,
the associations forum, at the end of August,
cultural proposals as part of the National Heritage Days in September,
a ceremony to welcome new arrivals, in October,
DJ evenings for young people,
the film festival for young audiences “P’tits eyes, big screen”, for the autumn holidays,
the “Creators Market” over two days in November,
“Gex celebrates Christmas! », An entertaining program over ten days,
the Mayor’s greeting ceremony to the population in January.
Companies and businesses
The small traditional shops are spread between the town center, the Vertes-Campagnes shopping center and the Aiglette craft and commercial area. There are three supermarkets, one in Vertes-Campagnes and two in l’Aiglette. In recent decades, commercial activity has shifted from rue du Commerce to rue de Genève and then to shopping centers. The municipality also hosts administrations (sub-prefecture and community of municipalities of the Pays de Gex) and many services (banks, insurance, liberal professions).
The market
Discover the local products, quality products at reasonable prices. Since 1984, the Gex market has taken place every Saturday morning, rue des Terreaux and rue Ernest Zégut, until 12:30 p.m. It is ranked among the 100 exceptional markets in France. Fruits and vegetables, cheeses, meats and cold cuts await you on the stalls of non-sedentary traders who, for the most part, have been present on the Gex market for many years and, for some, since its creation.
Natural heritage
Gex is located at an altitude of 600 meters at the foot of the Col de la Faucille (1323 meters), at the gates of Geneva, between the Jura and Lake Geneva. Gex is a veritable balcony offering a remarkable view of the Mont Blanc range. Our city is also the gateway to the Haut Jura Natural Park, but also a forest commune that offers wonderful walks in the Creux de l’Envers, the Sarrasine Doors.
The Gex forest is included in the perimeter of the Nature Reserve of the upper Jura chain where flora is abundant with around thirty species (martagon lilies, orchis of all kinds, Venus hooves, etc.). The Jura Mountains and the Gex forest are home to a large population of ungulates. The chamois has colonized ridges and rocky bars. Roe deer, deer and wild boar are also found in large numbers in the forest. The Capercaillie, survivor of the past and emblem of the Gex Bird Festival, is still very present on the territory of the communal forest.
In the city center, nature is also omnipresent. The Parc des Cèdres, with its many games for children, and the walk along the Journans will delight children and walkers. Gex is proud to have obtained a 2nd Flower in 2012 by the departmental flower committee. This form of recognition thus crowns the efforts made in recent years by the green spaces service to beautify the living environment of Gex residents.
The communal forest
Gex has the largest municipal forest in the Department with 1770 hectares divided into four massifs: the forest of Disse, the Turet massif, the Creux de l’Envers and Montchanais. The management plan for the 2015 – 2027 wooded heritage produced by SARL AFEC located in Haute-Savoie reports 45 species identified, thus indicating a good potential diversity. The Parc des Cèdres on the other side of the avenue de la Gare provides an attractive hook for the city center. It consists mainly of mature or old trees. New plantings will ensure the sustainability of this important tree structure.
The “Les Genêts” campsite
Following the premature departure of the former managers of the campsite, the city of Gex had done everything possible to find a buyer. This is how on Saturday June 20, 2020, the municipal campsite welcomed its first customers. Located a stone’s throw from the town center, the Gex campsite offers calm and comfort in a welcoming green setting. This 3-star campsite has 130 “tourist” sites and offers services such as a multipurpose room (reading, relaxation room), snack bar, bar, terrace, essential grocery store, toilets for people with reduced mobility, etc. On site, it is possible to practice on-site activities and leisure activities: volleyball, badminton, entertainment, pétanque, table tennis, children’s games, etc.
In Gex, discover the historic route, the many hiking and mountain biking trails, the promenade and the health trail along the banks of the Journans which offers access to the vast leisure area of La Poudrière, the municipal swimming pool, the municipal cinema, the municipal library,… In Divonne-les-Bains, less than 5 km away, other activities are possible in the city center or around the lake: spa and fitness, golf, casino, mini golf, Foresland, skate park….
By taking the road to La Faucille, when you arrive at the Col, you will discover the Mont Rond station with summer tobogganing, tree climbing courses, paintball, zip line,… and continuing on the Haut-Jura Natural Park. Less than ten kilometers away, in the canton of Vaud, is the charming town of Versoix on the shores of Lake Geneva which offers the possibility of a boat trip to the medieval village of Yvoire.
Green space
Three parks with games for children have been set up in the city center. A walk along the banks of the Journans, equipped with a fitness trail and picnic tables, was opened to the public in June 2014. An outdoor recreation area including a city-stadium, a skate-park, a pump-track, children’s games, pétanque grounds, etc. was built in two phases in 2018 and 2019, chemin de la Poudrière, in the entrance to the Journans promenade.
The col de la Faucille (classified site).
The communal forest has 1770ha and is divided into four massifs: the forest of Disse, the Turet massif, the Creux de l’Envers, the Montchanais.
Pailly and Montrond sites (both registered), orientation table.
Haut-Jura Regional Natural Park.
The Cedars Park, in town, is a collection of mature trees.
Gateway city of the Haut-Jura Park
The Mixed Syndicate of the Park, created in 1986, brings together, over 178,000 hectares, 122 municipalities (in 2 regions and 3 departments) including 25 from the department of Ain; it is administered by a Trade Union Committee made up of deliberative members including a holder and a substitute for the city of Gex. The third charter of the Park (2010 – 2022) includes 3 vocations and 11 axes declined around “a territory built, alive and animated together”, “a territory responsible for its environment”, “a territory which gives value to its economy”.
The Haute-Chaîne du Jura Nature Reserve, created in February 1993, and managed by the Pays de Gex Agglomeration Community, is located on the territory of 18 municipalities in the Pays de Gex including Gex and on the Monts anticline Jura where the highest peaks of the Jura chain are located (Crêt de la Neige 1720 m, Le Reculet 1717 m, etc.). It is bounded to the north by the Franco-Swiss border south of the summit of La Dôle and to the south by the cluse formed by the Rhône between the Grand Crêt d’Eau and the mountain of Vuache. To the west, the reserve is located the Valserine valley. To the east are the Pays de Gex and the Lake Geneva basin. The Reserve is located on the territory of the Haut-Jura Regional Natural Park.