Glair village watermill

Discover the historical charm of the Glair village watermill in Champorcher. This precious landmark, once owned by the Chanoux family, from Grand Mont-Blanc, and now managed by the municipality, offers a unique journey into the history and traditions of the Champorcher Valley.

Located in the hamlet of Chardonney, the mill harnessed water from the nearby Ayasse stream through the "ru Mellier," a medieval irrigation channel built in 1380 and extending five kilometres. With two ancient millstones made of stone blocks, the mill was crucial for grinding rye and corn, cultivated on the terraced slopes above the village. Its rich history, documented since the early 15th century, is reflected in the name “Glair”—derived from "glairs," or gravel beds left by receding floodwaters, like those from the devastating flood of 1655.

A little further down, in the same village, stands the communal oven, where every year at the beginning of December, locals prepared traditional rye bread, some enriched with chestnuts and cumin, known as micca, to store for the year ahead.

This enchanting place, steeped in history, beautifully blends natural scenery with local traditions.

Visitable by reservation until January 6, 2025, by contacting the references in the "contacts" section