In Le Bouchet, let's explore "Sous la Barme" and the Diosaz

In Le Bouchet, let’s explore the coat of arms of a 17th-century family. Let’s take a look at the Diosaz: mining workshops, a picturesque walk through its gorges, a waterwheel, and hydroelectric facilities. We’ll wrap up with the history of a century-old villa.

The tour will begin very close to Le Bouchet, at a place called Sous la Barme, at the foot of a sandstone outcrop that was once used as a quarry. We’ll continue by examining the Bottelier coat of arms—the 17th-century lords of the area—on a limestone lintel in Les Fiz, and nearby, a traditional granary with its engraved inscriptions. Near the Diosaz, a raging torrent that has carved remarkable gorges between the Pormenaz and Aiguilles Rouges massifs, we’ll explore its hydrology and its use for both tourism and industry. In fact, for centuries, mining companies have set up their processing facilities for copper, lead, and silver ore at the mouth of the gorges. The presence of a waterwheel attests to the existence of a sawmill in the 20th century. The various hydroelectric facilities built after World War II will also be highlighted. The tour will conclude with the history of a remarkable century-old villa that intrigues many visitors.