Savoie Propre is a natural and historical region of Savoie, France. Historically, it was a pagus in the Burgundian Kingdom (pagus Savogensis), later a bailliage, and subsequently an administrative province (from 1723 to 1860) within the territorial organization of the County of Savoy and the Duchy of Savoy. [1]
The region is sometimes referred to as Savoie Ducale due to the presence of Chambéry, the capital of the Duchy of Savoy from 1295 to 1563, or as Lower Savoie (French : Savoie basse). [2]
The province of Savoie Propre roughly corresponds to the modern Arrondissement of Chambéry. It encompasses regions such as Beaufortain with Beaufort-sur-Doron, the Bauges with Le Châtelard, the Combe de Savoie with Montmélian, the Bourget Valley with Chambéry and Aix-les-Bains, the Avant-pays savoyard, and the Albanais with Rumilly (partially shared with modern Haute-Savoie). [3]
It is bordered to the west by the former pagus Bellicensis (Bugey), to the east by Tarentaise, to the south by Dauphiné and Viennois, and to the north by the pagus minor albanensis, the Pays de l'Albanais, and the Genevois. [3]
The history of Savoie Propre is largely covered in the History of Savoy article. This section focuses on aspects specific to this province.
Savoie Propre, known as the pagus Savogensis, first appeared in the 9th century within the Kingdom of Burgundy, specifically in the cisjurane Burgundy. As the heart of the Humbertian state, it later merged with the County of Savoy, though the title and territorial scope eventually extended beyond the current region. [4]
The region is mentioned in six documents between the late 10th century and 1036 under forms such as ager Savogensis, pagus Savogensis, or comitatus Savogensis. [4] [5] [6] [7] Its origins trace back to the 8th century, mentioned in the will of patrician Abbon (739) and in Charlemagne’s Divisio regnorum or Divisio imperii (806). [8] In these documents, the broader Carolingian Saboia aligns with the smaller 11th-century pagus. [8]
In 866, Lothair II of Lotharingia granted the cities of Chavord, Lémenc, and Aix to his wife Ermengarde, suggesting control by Emperor Louis. [8] The ancient Savoie Propre comprised the mandements of Aix, Chambéry, Montmélian, and La Rochette. As a secondary territory, it was not organized as a county but as a deanery under the Bishopric of Grenoble in the neighboring Dauphiné. It later became part of the Kingdom of Provence in 855 and the Kingdom of Arles in 933. [8]
In 1003, Humbert is mentioned as a count, though without specific reference to the County of Savoy, a title first recorded in 1143. [9]
From the 13th to 14th centuries, Savoie Propre was one of the thirteen key bailliages of the Savoyard States, with Montmélian as its administrative center, described as the "key to the Alps" due to its strategic fortress controlling the Combe de Savoie, the gateway to Tarentaise and Maurienne, and a bridge over the Isère. [10] [11] In 1324, the County of Savoy was divided into eight bailliages, including Savoie Propre, which comprised 17 châtellenies out of a total of 77. [12] [13] Later, this was reduced to fourteen châtellenies. [14]
The châtelain of Montmélian often served as the bailli of Savoie, acting as the count’s representative in financial, judicial, and military matters. [15]
In the 18th century, Victor Amadeus II of Savoy reorganized the Duchy of Savoy, establishing a general intendancy and five provincial intendancies. In 1723, the duchy was divided into six provinces and two bailliages, including Savoie Propre, Genevois, Faucigny, Chablais, Maurienne, Tarentaise, and the bailliages of Ternier and Gaillard. Savoie Propre comprised 204 parishes in 1723, expanding by ten parishes per the edict of 3 September 1749. [16]
Following the entry of General Montesquiou on 22 September 1792, the province was incorporated into the French Republic under the decree of 27 November 1792, becoming part of the Mont-Blanc Department. The district of Chambéry was divided into 22 cantons, encompassing 183 communes. [17]
By the law of 28 Pluviôse Year VIII (17 February 1800), the department was reorganized, with parts ceded to the Léman Department in 1798. Savoie Propre became the arrondissement of Chambéry, with 15 cantons and 175 communes. It reverted to Savoyard control in 1815, and by the edict of 16 December 1816, Victor Emmanuel restored nine provinces, including Savoie Propre, with 13 mandements and 142 communes. [17]
Despite minor changes in 1818, 1835, and 1837, the provincial structure persisted until the Annexation of 1860, when Savoie Propre became part of the arrondissement of Chambéry in the Savoie Department, alongside Tarentaise and Maurienne. [13]
Today, Savoie Propre corresponds closely to the arrondissement of Chambéry within the Savoie Department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of France. The region retains its historical significance, with Chambéry serving as the departmental prefecture and a cultural hub. Its economy is driven by tourism, agriculture, and small-scale industries, leveraging its Alpine landscapes and historical sites such as the Château de Chambéry. [18]
This section outlines the administrative organization of Savoie Propre across different periods, including its time under the Duchy of Savoy, the French occupation (1792–1814), and post-1860 within France.
In the latter half of the 13th century, the County of Savoy organized its châtellenies into bailliages. The bailliage of Savoie (Bailivia Sabaudie), sometimes called Savoie Propre, was centered at the Château de Montmélian. The baillis were typically also châtelains of Montmélian, though exceptions occurred. [13] It included Savoie Propre, Tarentaise, and Maurienne. [13]
In 1324, the bailliage comprised 17 châtellenies, including Chambéry, Le Bourget, Montfalcon, Cusy, Châtelard, Faverges, Entremont, Les Marches, Montmélian, Tournon, Ugine, Conflans, Tarentaise, Maurienne, Aiguebelle, La Rochette, and Les Mollettes. [12] Later, this was reduced to fourteen châtellenies. [14]
From 1454, the bailli of Savoie, châtelain of Montmélian, was also titled captain of the Château de Montmélian. [47]
Under Victor Amadeus II of Savoy, the Duchy of Savoy underwent significant administrative reforms. From 1723, Savoie Propre was one of six provinces, with Chambéry as its administrative center. The province was governed by an intendant who oversaw financial, judicial, and military affairs, supported by a network of local officials. The period saw economic development, including improvements in agriculture and infrastructure, such as roads connecting Chambéry to other provinces. [48]
The French occupation of 1792 integrated Savoie Propre into the Mont-Blanc Department, with Chambéry as a district capital. The French administration introduced revolutionary reforms, including the abolition of feudal privileges and the establishment of cantons. In 1798, parts of Savoie Propre were ceded to the Léman Department. The region returned to Savoyard control in 1814 following the defeat of Napoleon. [49]
In 1816, the Duchy of Savoy was reorganized, with Savoie Propre, centered in Chambéry, divided into thirteen mandements. A mandement was a territory encompassing communes and parishes under a châtellenie. Some mandements were adjusted in 1814: [50]
Each mandement was centered on a chief town (in italics) and comprised the following communes (as organized in 1814):
Communes of the mandement: [51]
Communes or parishes of the mandement: [51]
Communes or parishes of the mandement: [52]
Communes or parishes of the mandement: [52]
Communes or parishes of the mandement: [52]
Communes or parishes of the mandement: [53]
Communes or parishes of the mandement: [53]
Communes or parishes of the mandement: [53]
Communes or parishes of the mandement: [52]
Communes or parishes of the mandement: [53]
Communes or parishes of the mandement: [54]
Communes or parishes of the mandement: [54]
Communes or parishes of the mandement: [54]
By letters patent of 2 September 1837, effective 1 January 1838, King Charles Albert detached the mandement of Chamoux from Savoie Propre to join Maurienne and incorporated the mandement of Albens from Genevois into Savoie Propre. [55]
Following the Annexation of 1860, Savoie Propre was integrated into the Savoie Department as the arrondissement of Chambéry. The arrondissement today includes 22 cantons and 147 communes, with Chambéry as the prefecture. The region is part of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes administrative region, established in 2016, and continues to play a central role in the cultural and economic life of Savoie. [56]
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![]() Coat of arms of Savoie Propre |