Dardagny

Dardagny is a common Suisse of the Canton of Geneva. It is located almost at the Western end of the country.

Geography

Dardagny is delimited by the border with the France in the west and north, by the the Rhone with the south and the communes of Russin and Satigny in the east.

The territory of the commune is bordered in the east by the small Allondon and some Affluent S of which the Roulave. The brook of the Hedges is thrown for its part directly in the Rhone while passing by the French territory.

History

The history of Dardagny goes up with the Neolithic as a Hache attests it found on the spot. In 1093 is established a report/ratio on the construction of the church Saint-Pierre which is today in the center of the village of Dardagny.

In 1280, Amyon de Dardagny, the first lord feudal and knight of Geneva is mentioned for the first time when it receives 30 Livre S in heritage. At that time, three powerful Seigneurie S are in the surroundings of Dardagny: that of the south had by Andre of Corbière, that of north had by Michaud de Livron and that of the center had by Amyon de Dardagny. The village called then Dardaniacum is for its part quoted for the first time in 1309.

With the advent of the Protestant Reform in 1536, the sector of Dardagny like those of Châteauvieux and Confignon pass to the hands of the new Genevese republic. To the beginning of the year 1646, the Genevese lord Amédée Favre manages to again join together the fields under its authority. His/her son Daniel Favre unifies them in 1655. In 1721, a noble Dutch of the name of Jean Vasserot acquires the field of Dardagny of the hands of the Lullin family. With its death in 1731, his/her son deals with the field and invests much time and money in the medieval castle which is reorganized to become one of the most beautiful Genevese castles of the 18th century: it makes demolish the Escalier and makes build imposing a Balustrade on the gallery of the second stage. Side of the street, it makes arrange a Balcon constant by two columns and makes transform the interior court into roomy room of the knights which is decorated with Fresque S Italy and of the badges of the Vasserot family. In 1775, Jean-Philippe Horneca takes again the field. In 1779, it transmits the capacity to his/her son Jaques-Antoine who bears from now on the name of Horngacher. This one installs in 1780 a Orgue in the room of the knights and makes prolong the gallery of the first stage so that one can reach the organ directly there. In 1848, the castle and the field are aquis by Jean-Louis Fazy.

In 1860, the painter Armand-Alexandre Leleux renovates current Maison Leleux in which it life during a certain period. It receives there other famous painters like Jean-Baptiste Camille Corot which paints celebrates it way of the Pumps.

In 1904, the commune of Dardagny repurchases the castle. A project of 1916 envisaged its demolition in order to build a school there but the citizens protested against this decision. After ten years of uncertainty, the Municipal council, the the Great Council and the Council of State decide to classify the castle and to restore it. In the five following years, the building is rehabilitated in six stages and réouvert the September 11th 1932. The April 3rd 1935, the Great Council classifies it officially. Today, it is used at the same time of Mairie and school.

In 1978, the commune receives the Prix Wakker Swiss League of the national heritage because of the safeguarding of its environment from its position far away from Genevese urban fabric.

Economy

With the the Middle Ages, Dardagny is a village of Viticulteur S and millers. In 1321, the existence of a Moulin is established whereas Papeterie S setting-up in 1545 will not be replaced that in 1850 within the framework of the Industrialization by a Usine. During the 17th century, the Horlogerie starts to be established in Dardagny but disappears however completely at the 19th century when the breeding is modernized. This tendency perdure however until worms 1950. In 1827, a Fromage laughs is even built whereas the village specializes almost exclusively starting from the Années 1950 in the Viticulture which employs however only one quarter of the population. The totality of the 860 Hectare S of the commune, 180 reconsider to the culture of the Raisin, 250 with the installations cultural (of which the castle) and 160 with the Forêt S. Three quarters of the population are Pendulaire S.

The village is known for its red Wine baptized “black Pinot of Dardagny” and its white Wine baptized “Slopes of Dardagny Sauvignon ”.

Curiosities

the Castle of Dardagny with its room of the knights baroque as well as an imposing balustrade
the house of the painter Armand-Alexandre Leleux
small the church whose Clocher is in the middle of the roof contrary to the other bell-towers of the area
the Vallée of the Allondon, tallies protected, which constitutes a popular space of relaxation

Sources

External bonds

Dardagny : digest of the Genevese rural architecture on the FAO of August 12th, 2005

Random links: