Mieussy

Mieussy
A view of the bridge of Mieussy A view of the bridge of Mieussy
Coat of arms of Mieussy Coat of arms
Mieussy
Location within Rhône-Alpes region Mieussy
Coordinates:
Country	France
Region	Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Department	Haute-Savoie
Arrondissement	Bonneville
Canton	Taninges
Government
• Mayor (2008–2014)	Gérard Gay
Area1	44.45 km2 (17.16 sq mi)
Population (2005)2	1,983
• Density	45/km2 (120/sq mi)
INSEE/Postal code	74183 / 74440
Elevation	571–2,011 m (1,873–6,598 ft)
Website	Mieussy.eu
1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries. 2 Population without double counting: residents of multiple communes (e.g., students and military personnel) only counted once.

Mieussy is a commune in the Haute-Savoie department in the Rhône-Alpes Regions of France

Mieussy is a traditional unspoiled Alpine farming village in the Vallée du Giffre.

Winter Skiing

Mieussy has its own high-altitude ski resort, Sommand, starting at 1500m and with 60km of downhill runs suitable for all levels. This is well integrated over and around the surrounding mountains to the neighboring ski resort of Praz de Lys.

Sommand is noted for the beauty of its varied landscape of beautiful forests and open panoramic views. It has almost none of the over development and mass tourism infrastructure characterised by many nearby resorts. This is due to the area being a protected nature reserve which allows only low impact sustainable development. Its focus is on providing a uniquely family friendly resort while leaving other resorts, like Les Gets/Morzine/Flaine to cater for the Northern European "package holiday" and "youth" market.

Sommand is the closest major ski resort to Geneva district. It is a 25 minutes drive to the end of the valley and the start of Geneva district. It's high altitude starting point and the Mont Blanc area micro-climate gives it better snow quality and quantity that many other resorts. It is also noted for its exceptionally good cross country skiing with 50km of tracked runs, including the famous Col du Ramaz. The U23 World Championship Cross Country Skiing was held here in 2008.

Summer

Mieussy has one of the largest commune areas with many traditional chalet farm hamlets. These small rural farms continue the traditions with the passing of centuries, making a range of savoyard products, including the famous rebluchon. The Fruitiere in the village sells locally made farm produce including reblochon.

In the summer, maps of the surrounding hiking trails lead through meadows and forests up into the mountains and are available from the Mieussy tourist office.

Each year the village is host to the traditional farmers harvest market, Mieussy "Foire d' Automne", when thousands spill into its streets to buy sweet chestnuts, fresh pressed apple juice, Savoyard meats and cheeses in a general celebration of the harvest. The festival runs for two days in October and is the largest authentic farmers festival in the region.

Paragliding

Mieussy became known as the birthplace of paragliding when in June 1978 three friends Jean-Claude Bétemps, André Bohn and Gérard Bosson were inspired by an article on ‘slope soaring’ in the Parachute Manual magazine. They calculated that on a suitable slope, a square parachute could be inflated by running down a slope; Bétemps launched from Pointe du Pertuiset, Mieussy, and flew 100 m. Andre Bohn followed him and glided down to the football pitch in the valley 1000 metres below.[6] ‘Parapente’ was born (pente being French for slope).

A paragliding school and introductory tandem flights are offered by the Mieussy football pitch.

See also

• Communes of the Haute-Savoie department
• Praz de Lys-Sommand

References

• INSEE