Dispersed habitat

The habitat in the High-Combes is a result of the late clearing having been carried out during the 13th and 14th centuries, and later still during the 16th and 17th centuries. Land was leased by the Saint-Claude abbey in long strips running perpendicular to the combe in which each family could live self-sufficiently. The bottom of the combe served as prairies and hay fields, its immediate surroundings were reserved for grain farming, and the ridge was reserved for fire and craft wood and for pastures.