Le Villard

Located at an altitude of 860 m, it’s the most important village of the municipality. Close to Bozel and on the way to go to Pralognan, this village has always known an economic functioning: City-hall, school, Galerie Hydraulica (museum) and some shops that are still open.
Le Villard mostly called Le Villard du Planay, has got an industrial past which is still visible. One of the most important facts of this hamlet has been the loss of the factory (created in 1898 and closed in 1984) which was a big part of the village.
It’s still possible to see marks from this industrial past with the 3 hydroelectric power plants that are running, the engineer district, and the house of the manager, the building of the old canteen (which are nowadays accommodation), the worker’s houses and an old penstock from the early 20th century. If you are going through the village, you could see the nice chapel Sainte Marguerite.
You could also discover the industrial and hydroelectric past of the valley, visiting the museum Galerie Hydraulica, which has been newly renewed.