The Chamoniards: Keepers of Memory

"Un vrai Chamoniard"—a true Chamoniard—remains a meaningful distinction in the valley, though its definition has evolved. Traditionally, the term applied to families with centuries of local history, names that appear in parish records dating to the Middle Ages: Ravanel, Charlet, Devouassoux, Cachat, Folliguet. These families shaped the valley's character through their intimate knowledge of the mountains and their careful stewardship of community traditions.

Marie-Paule Devouassoux, 78, embodies this continuity. Her dining room walls display photographs spanning five generations of mountain guides, while her kitchen calendar still marks traditional feast days alongside modern holidays. "Being Chamoniard isn't just about blood," she insists, serving génépi liqueur in glasses her great-grandmother used. "It's about understanding the mountains' moods, respecting the old ways while accepting change, and knowing when to help your neighbor without being asked."

This traditional community maintains its cohesion through institutions that have adapted across centuries. The Société de Secours Mutuels, founded in 1843, still provides support during hardships. The consortages managing high pastures continue to meet, though discussions now include mountain bike trail rights alongside grazing allocations. The volunteer fire brigade, drawing members from old families and newcomers alike, embodies the practical solidarity mountain life demands.

Yet even defining "traditional" proves complex. The Pellier family arrived "only" in the 1700s—newcomers by some standards. The Simond family built their hardware business in the 1860s, becoming integral to climbing history. Each wave of arrivals eventually became part of the established community, their children growing up as Chamoniards.