History of Flumet
ORIGIN OF THE WORD "FLUMET"
FLUMET comes from the Latin "inter flumina", which means the land between the confluence of two rivers. This was the name given to a fortress built in 1200 by Aymon II of Faucigny to defend the confluence of the Rivers Arrondine and Arly. In 1228, it became the first “commune” in Savoie to be granted its “municpal freedoms”. The town was completely destroyed by fire in 1679 and, therefore, could no longer maintain its castle. The town petitioned Christine de Savoie for permission to tear down the fortress and use the stone to rebuild the burnt-out houses.
DISCOVER THE HISTORY OF FLUMET
While strolling around the old centre of FLUMET, you may be surprised by the names of some of the streets: Rue du Château, Rue de Riddes, Avenue Aimon II de Faucigny... signs of FLUMET's origins as a fortified town and the historic capital of Val d'Arly. The castle and town walls with their four corner towers were all built between 1100 and 1200.
Aimon II, Lord of Faucigny (Lake Geneva - Mont-Blanc region), lived in this castle for part of the year. From 1202, for political, strategic and economic reasons, he preferred to reside in this small town, which was granted its “municipal freedoms” in 1228. FLUMET was the first town in Savoie to obtain such freedoms, which gave it a large degree of autonomy for the period: rights of succession for the burghers of FLUMET, use of pasture land, rivers, wood and forests, exemption from tolls and tallage, and the right to build ovens and mills. All merchants visiting FLUMET were guaranteed safe and peaceful passage. Flumet's inhabitants also had the right to be tried by 12 men chosen from amongst the burghers and to never have a judge, priest, tax collector or herald who was not elected by an assembly of the entire town.
Unfortunately, in 1679, a massive fire destroyed the entire town and the castle. As a result, there are few remaining traces of Flumet's feudal past.
You can see the ruins of the castle by walking along the Rue de Riddes (named after the lord of a very impressive manor that used to stand on what is now the Place du Château) and by going into the pleasure gardens.
Look down the Avenue Aimon II de Faucigny and you will be rewarded with a superb view of the well-preserved square tower of the fortified house of the Counts of Bieux (12th and 14th centuries).
From the Pont de l'Abime, or Pont de Bellecombe (lit-up at night), which bridges the narrow Arly gorge in a single span, (terrace-view point at the crossroads), you can admire the picturesque houses of the old village, built on foundations that date from before the fire in 1679. This area of FLUMET was built 30 to 40 metres above the Arly, following the layout of the original village.
And last but not least, there is the imposing bell tower of FLUMET church , which also dates from the 12th century (rebuilt after the fire: see the altar and the restored original paintings). Originally, it would have been inside the village walls. The feudal design of the tower is very different to the bulb-shaped or arrow-shaped bell-towers that are so typical of Savoie.
The style and design of the church of Saint Nicolas la Chapelle form a complete contrast: it is a 17th-century listed building and well worth a visit to see its retables, elegant bulbous bell tower and handsome proportions.
During your walks, you will come across many oratories beside country lanes and forest tracks: the Chapel of Le Passieu and the beautiful little church of Chaucisse to mention just two.
