Communauté de communes des Vallées de Thônes

Communauté de communes des Vallées de Thônes
Name	Communauté de communes des Vallées de Thônes
Type	Communauté de communes
Creation	31 December 1993
Seat	Thônes
President	Jean-Paul Amoudry
Population	10,000
Year	2019
Area	255.0
Density	39
Code siren	247400676
Website	www.cc-vallees-de-thones.fr

Communauté de communes des Vallées de Thônes is a French intercommunal structure located in the Haute-Savoie department, within the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. Established at the end of 1993, it brings together seven municipalities in the alpine valleys surrounding the town of Thônes. The community manages a range of local competencies, from economic development to environmental protection, serving a population of approximately 10,000 inhabitants across a mountainous territory known for its pastoral and tourist activities.

Histoire

The establishment followed the framework of the Loi Chevènement of 1999, which encouraged intercommunal cooperation, though its initial formation predates this under earlier legislation. Key founding municipalities included Thônes, La Clusaz, and Le Grand-Bornand, communities with deep historical ties to the Duchy of Savoy. The structure evolved from earlier syndicates managing local services, formalizing cooperation that had existed informally for decades in the Aravis massif. Its creation was influenced by the need for a unified approach to managing tourism pressures from nearby Geneva and the development of major ski areas like La Clusaz.

Territoire communautaire

The communauté de communes spans the upper valleys of the Fier and Borne rivers, covering parts of the Aravis Range. It borders the Communauté de communes du Pays de Faverges to the west and the Communauté de communes des Vallées du Mont-Blanc to the east. The seven member communes are Thônes (the seat), La Clusaz, Le Grand-Bornand, Les Villards-sur-Thônes, Saint-Jean-de-Sixt, Manigod, and Entremont. The territory is characterized by high alpine pastures, forests, and significant elevation changes, from the valley floors to peaks like the Pointe Percée.

Administration

The governing body is the Community Council, composed of delegates from each member commune, proportionally based on population. The council elects a president; as of recent terms, this has been Jean-Paul Amoudry, also mayor of Manigod. Administrative services are centralized in Thônes, working in coordination with the Prefecture of Haute-Savoie in Annecy. The structure operates under the legal and financial oversight of the Regional Council of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and the General Council of Haute-Savoie.

Compétences

Mandatory competencies include spatial planning through a Local Intercommunal Urban Plan, economic development zones, and management of tourist infrastructure. Optional competencies exercised encompass environmental protection, waste collection, water quality management, and support for cultural and sporting facilities like the Thônes museum and the ice rink in Le Grand-Bornand. It also manages public transport services connecting the valleys to Annecy and supports agricultural policy in line with the Common Agricultural Policy.

Démographie

The population has shown stability with slight growth, influenced by seasonal tourism employment in resorts like La Clusaz and Le Grand-Bornand. The 2019 census indicated around 10,000 permanent residents, with significant seasonal fluctuations. Thônes is the most populous commune, acting as the commercial and service hub. Demographic trends include an aging population in smaller villages like Entremont and an influx of new residents working in the Geneva basin, facilitated by improved road links via the Col de la Croix Fry.

Économie et services

The economy is dominated by winter sports tourism centered on the La Clusaz and Le Grand-Bornand ski domains, alongside summer activities like hiking. Agricultural production, notably the Reblochon cheese from local cooperatives, remains significant. The community supports business parks in Thônes and has invested in high-speed internet infrastructure. Public services include several primary schools, a college in Thônes, and health centers. Key employers include the Compagnie des Alpes for ski operations and numerous small and medium-sized enterprises in construction and hospitality.

Environnement et patrimoine

The territory includes classified sites like the Tourbière des Saisies peat bog and is part of the Hautes-Bauges natural area. The community implements policies for preserving water quality in the Borne river and managing forest resources. Cultural heritage includes the Écomusée du Bois et de la Forêt in Thônes, the Baroque church of Saint-Jean-de-Sixt, and traditional chalet architecture. It participates in programs with the Parc naturel régional du Massif des Bauges and manages trails connected to the Tour du Pays du Mont-Blanc.

Category:Communautés de communes in Haute-Savoie Category:1993 establishments in France