# Mijoux

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Commune in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France

Commune in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France

Mijoux Mijor (Arpitan) Commune Coat of arms Location of Mijoux Mijoux Show map of France Mijoux Show map of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Coordinates: 46°21′58″N 5°59′46″E / 46.3661°N 5.9961°E / 46.3661; 5.9961 Country France Region Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Department Ain Arrondissement Gex Canton Thoiry Intercommunality CA Pays de Gex Government • Mayor (2021–2026) Martine Viallet[1] Area 1 22.00 km2 (8.49 sq mi) Population (2023)[2] 299 • Density 13.6/km2 (35.2/sq mi) Time zone UTC+01:00 (CET) • Summer (DST) UTC+02:00 (CEST) INSEE/Postal code 01247 /01410 Elevation 866–1,614 m (2,841–5,295 ft) (avg. 990 m or 3,250 ft) 1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

**Mijoux** ([Arpitan](/source/Franco-Proven%C3%A7al): *Mijor* [\[mi.ˈðɔr\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA/Franco-Proven%C3%A7al)) is a [commune](/source/Communes_of_France) and [village](/source/Village) in the [Ain](/source/Ain) [department](/source/Departments_of_France) in eastern [France](/source/France).

## Geography

The village is situated in the upper section of the narrow [Valserine valley](/source/Valserine), nestled between high [limestone](/source/Limestone) cliffs to the south-east that form the first [anticline](/source/Anticline) of the [Jura mountains](/source/Jura_mountains) and the edge of the [Lajoux](/source/Lajoux%2C_France) [plateau](/source/Plateau) to the northwest. However, only the south-eastern side of the valley is within the commune's boundary, which stretches from the source of the Valserine river in the north, to the entry into [Lélex](/source/L%C3%A9lex), further down the valley, in the south. The commune is roughly 16 km long and 2 km wide.

Despite its high altitude (just under 1000 m), the village is built around a crossroads of regional importance: the valley road (D991) which links [Bellegarde-sur-Valserine](/source/Bellegarde-sur-Valserine) with [Les Rousses](/source/Les_Rousses) here crosses the D936 which links [Saint-Claude](/source/Saint-Claude%2C_Jura) with [Geneva](/source/Geneva) over the [Col de la Faucille](/source/Col_de_la_Faucille). Both are former [*routes nationales*](/source/Route_nationale_(France)).

## History

### Origins

In 1334 the valley was declared common property and revenue was shared between Jean II de Rossillon and Hugues de Joinville, Sire of [Gex](/source/Gex%2C_Ain). The agreement thereby struck up stated that a hospice should be paid for and built within the valley.

The hospice was inhabited by [monks](/source/Monks) who were charged with caring for the poorest [pilgrims](/source/Pilgrims) visiting the tombs of the Saints of Condat in [Saint-Claude](/source/Saint-Claude%2C_Jura). Most of the pilgrims were from [Geneva](/source/Geneva) or [Savoy](/source/Savoy). This was the first building to be inhabited year-round in Mijoux.

### The 15th to 18th centuries

Because of [climate](/source/Climate) conditions within the valley that meant that [winter](/source/Winter) was harsh and that [spring](/source/Spring_(season)) was virtually nonexistent, the valley had remained uninhabited for a long time. However, due to the hospice, houses gradually appeared and work to clear the [pines](/source/Pine) began so as to allow [agriculture](/source/Agriculture).

At first houses were built along the road that links Lajoux to the Col de la Faucille and it would not be until 1601 at the [Treaty of Lyon](/source/Treaty_of_Lyon_(1601)) that the river that bisects the town would become a border: the south-eastern side of the valley became French. In 1612 at the Franco-Spanish treaty, signed in [Auxonne](/source/Auxonne), the Valserine was chosen as the border between France and [Spain](/source/Spain). The north-western side of the valley was ceded to France in 1678 at the [Treaties of Nijmegen](/source/Treaties_of_Nijmegen).

### The 19th century until today

At the [Treaty of Paris](/source/Treaty_of_Paris_(1815)) in 1815, after [Napoleon](/source/Napoleon)'s downfall, the new border was defined, as it remains today: it passes along Mijoux's thin northern edge. The French [customs](/source/Customs), however, were set up along the Valserine as Mijoux, [Lélex](/source/L%C3%A9lex), [Chézery-Forens](/source/Ch%C3%A9zery-Forens) and the [Pays de Gex](/source/Arrondissement_of_Gex) became a [*pays franc*](/source/Free_trade_zone). Today, the Valserine river serves as the border between the regions of [Franche-Comté](/source/Franche-Comt%C3%A9) and [Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes](/source/Auvergne-Rh%C3%B4ne-Alpes), Mijoux lying within the latter for its most part.

During this time, the valley was inhabited by numerous families, whose jobs changed depending on the season. During the [summer](/source/Summer), tasks included collecting fodder for the [livestock](/source/Livestock), cultivating [barley](/source/Barley) and [potatoes](/source/Potatoes) as well as collecting [firewood](/source/Firewood). In [winter](/source/Winter), when the ground was covered in [snow](/source/Snow), the same families cut and polished [gems](/source/Gemstone).

However, the bloodshed of the [Great War](/source/World_War_I) and the resulting [economic crisis](/source/Great_Depression) contributed to the abandonment of farms and a downturn in population levels that left the commune with only half the population it had had 50 years previously.

Today and since 1969, tourism is revitalising this village, mainly due to winter sports. The commune has, for the past 20 years, belonged to the [Parc naturel régional du Haut-Jura](/source/Parc_naturel_r%C3%A9gional_du_Haut-Jura).

## Population

‹ The [template](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Template) *[Historical populations](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Historical_populations)* is being [considered for merging](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Templates_for_discussion/Log/2026_June_24#Template:Infobox_demographics). ›

Historical population Year Pop. ±% p.a. 1968 227 — 1975 191 −2.44% 1982 200 +0.66% 1990 258 +3.23% 1999 312 +2.13% 2007 384 +2.63% 2012 374 −0.53% 2017 341 −1.83% 2023 299 −2.17% Source: INSEE[3]

## Economy

Mijoux's economy is largely driven by [tourism](/source/Tourism), for the [winter sports](/source/Winter_sports) practised here. Since 1999, Mijoux has been part of the Monts Jura [ski resort](/source/Ski_resort). [Ski lifts](/source/Ski_lifts) link Mijoux to the [Col de la Faucille](/source/Col_de_la_Faucille) at 1308 m and to Mont Rond, at an altitude of 1543 m above sea level, one of the highest in the [Jura Mountains](/source/Jura_Mountains). This part of the ski station is used mostly by [downhill skiers](/source/Alpine_Skiing). La Vattay, further up the valley but still within Mijoux, is a centre for [cross-country skiing](/source/Cross-country_skiing).

## Sights

- [Col de la Faucille](/source/Col_de_la_Faucille)

- The archaeological site around the [orientation tables](/source/Orientation_table) at Montrond, a [Monument historique](/source/Monument_historique) since 1936.

- Pont Charlemagne over the Valserine, that [Yolande of Valois](/source/Yolande_of_Valois) crossed with her kidnappers in 1476 during a [kidnapping](/source/Kidnapping) by the [Duke of Burgundy](/source/Duke_of_Burgundy).

- Gemcutting museum.

## See also

- [Communes of the Ain department](/source/Communes_of_the_Ain_department)

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Répertoire national des élus: les maires"](https://www.data.gouv.fr/fr/datasets/r/2876a346-d50c-4911-934e-19ee07b0e503) (in French). data.gouv.fr, Plateforme ouverte des données publiques françaises. 13 September 2022. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20200628030259/https://www.data.gouv.fr/fr/datasets/r/2876a346-d50c-4911-934e-19ee07b0e503) from the original on 28 June 2020. Retrieved 22 November 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Populations de référence 2023"](https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/8643952?geo=COM-01247) (in French). National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 18 December 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-pophist_3-0)** [Population municipale entre 1968 et 2023](https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/8643952?geo=COM-01247#tableau-POPREF_G1), INSEE

## External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Mijoux](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Mijoux).

- [Official site](http://www.mijoux.fr/index.php)

v t e Communes of the Ain department L'Abergement-Clémenciat L'Abergement-de-Varey Ambérieu-en-Bugey Ambérieux-en-Dombes Ambléon Ambronay Ambutrix Andert-et-Condon Anglefort Apremont Aranc Arandas Arbent Arbigny Arboys en Bugey Argis Armix Ars-sur-Formans Artemare Arvière-en-Valromey Asnières-sur-Saône Attignat Bâgé-Dommartin Bâgé-le-Châtel Balan Baneins Béard-Géovreissiat Beaupont Beauregard Béligneux Belleysubpr Belleydoux Bellignat Bénonces Bény Béréziat Bettant Bey Beynost Billiat Birieux Biziat Blyes Bohas-Meyriat-Rignat La Boisse Boissey Bolozon Bouligneux Bourg-en-Bressepref Bourg-Saint-Christophe Boyeux-Saint-Jérôme Boz Brégnier-Cordon Brénod Brens Bresse Vallons Bressolles Brion Briord Buellas La Burbanche Ceignes Cerdon Certines Cessy Ceyzériat Ceyzérieu Chalamont Chaleins Chaley Challes-la-Montagne Challex Champagne-en-Valromey Champdor-Corcelles Champfromier Chanay Chaneins Chanoz-Châtenay La Chapelle-du-Châtelard Charix Charnoz-sur-Ain Château-Gaillard Châtenay Châtillon-la-Palud Châtillon-sur-Chalaronne Chavannes-sur-Reyssouze Chaveyriat Chazey-Bons Chazey-sur-Ain Cheignieu-la-Balme Chevillard Chevroux Chevry Chézery-Forens Civrieux Cize Cleyzieu Coligny Collonges Colomieu Conand Condamine Condeissiat Confort Confrançon Contrevoz Conzieu Corbonod Corlier Cormoranche-sur-Saône Cormoz Corveissiat Courmangoux Courtes Crans Cressin-Rochefort Crottet Crozet Cruzilles-lès-Mépillat Culoz-Béon Curciat-Dongalon Curtafond Cuzieu Dagneux Divonne-les-Bains Dompierre-sur-Chalaronne Dompierre-sur-Veyle Domsure Dortan Douvres Drom Druillat Échallon Échenevex Évosges Faramans Fareins Farges Feillens Ferney-Voltaire Flaxieu Foissiat Francheleins Frans Garnerans Genouilleux Géovreisset Gexsubpr Giron Gorrevod Grand-Corent Grièges Grilly Groissiat Groslée-Saint-Benoît Guéreins Hautecourt-Romanèche Haut Valromey Illiat Injoux-Génissiat Innimond Izenave Izernore Izieu Jassans-Riottier Jasseron Jayat Journans Joyeux Jujurieux Labalme Lagnieu Laiz Lantenay Lapeyrouse Lavours Léaz Lélex Lent Lescheroux Leyment Leyssard Lhuis Lompnas Loyettes Lurcy Magnieu Maillat Malafretaz Mantenay-Montlin Manziat Marboz Marchamp Marignieu Marlieux Marsonnas Martignat Massieux Massignieu-de-Rives Matafelon-Granges Meillonnas Mérignat Messimy-sur-Saône Meximieux Mézériat Mijoux Mionnay Miribel Misérieux Mogneneins Montagnat Montagnieu Montanges Montceaux Montcet Le Montellier Monthieux Montluel Montmerle-sur-Saône Montracol Montréal-la-Cluse Montrevel-en-Bresse Murs-et-Gélignieux Nantuasubpr Neuville-les-Dames Neuville-sur-Ain Les Neyrolles Neyron Niévroz Nivigne et Suran Nivollet-Montgriffon Nurieux-Volognat Oncieu Ordonnaz Ornex Outriaz Oyonnax Ozan Parcieux Parves-et-Nattages Péron Péronnas Pérouges Perrex Peyriat Peyrieu Peyzieux-sur-Saône Pirajoux Pizay Plagne Le Plantay Plateau d'Hauteville Le Poizat-Lalleyriat Polliat Pollieu Poncin Pont-d'Ain Pont-de-Vaux Pont-de-Veyle Port Pougny Pouillat Prémeyzel Prémillieu Prévessin-Moëns Priay Ramasse Rancé Relevant Replonges Revonnas Reyrieux Reyssouze Rignieux-le-Franc Romans Rossillon Saint-Alban Saint-André-de-Bâgé Saint-André-de-Corcy Saint-André-d'Huiriat Saint-André-le-Bouchoux Saint-André-sur-Vieux-Jonc Saint-Bénigne Saint-Bernard Saint-Cyr-sur-Menthon Saint-Denis-en-Bugey Saint-Denis-lès-Bourg Saint-Didier-d'Aussiat Saint-Didier-de-Formans Saint-Didier-sur-Chalaronne Sainte-Croix Sainte-Euphémie Sainte-Julie Saint-Éloi Sainte-Olive Saint-Étienne-du-Bois Saint-Étienne-sur-Chalaronne Saint-Étienne-sur-Reyssouze Saint-Genis-Pouilly Saint-Genis-sur-Menthon Saint-Georges-sur-Renon Saint-Germain-de-Joux Saint-Germain-les-Paroisses Saint-Germain-sur-Renon Saint-Jean-de-Gonville Saint-Jean-de-Niost Saint-Jean-de-Thurigneux Saint-Jean-le-Vieux Saint-Jean-sur-Reyssouze Saint-Jean-sur-Veyle Saint-Julien-sur-Reyssouze Saint-Julien-sur-Veyle Saint-Just Saint-Laurent-sur-Saône Saint-Marcel Saint-Martin-de-Bavel Saint-Martin-du-Frêne Saint-Martin-du-Mont Saint-Martin-le-Châtel Saint-Maurice-de-Beynost Saint-Maurice-de-Gourdans Saint-Maurice-de-Rémens Saint-Nizier-le-Bouchoux Saint-Nizier-le-Désert Saint-Paul-de-Varax Saint-Rambert-en-Bugey Saint-Rémy Saint-Sorlin-en-Bugey Saint-Sulpice Saint-Trivier-de-Courtes Saint-Trivier-sur-Moignans Saint-Vulbas Salavre Samognat Sandrans Sault-Brénaz Sauverny Savigneux Ségny Seillonnaz Sergy Sermoyer Serrières-de-Briord Serrières-sur-Ain Servas Servignat Seyssel Simandre-sur-Suran Sonthonnax-la-Montagne Souclin Sulignat Surjoux-Lhopital Talissieu Tenay Thil Thoiry Thoissey Torcieu Tossiat Toussieux Tramoyes La Tranclière Trévoux Valeins Val-Revermont Valromey-sur-Séran Valserhône Vandeins Varambon Vaux-en-Bugey Verjon Vernoux Versailleux Versonnex Vesancy Vescours Vésines Vieu-d'Izenave Villars-les-Dombes Villebois Villemotier Villeneuve Villereversure Villes Villette-sur-Ain Villieu-Loyes-Mollon Viriat Virieu-le-Grand Virignin Vongnes Vonnas pref: prefecture subpr: subprefecture

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Mijoux](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mijoux) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mijoux?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.