The Farms
The 6 farms of the Anchical hamlet
The 6 farms of the hamlet formed a coherent agricultural whole, connected by paths used for travel and work
Close-up view of the Anchical hamlet's 6 farms in 1939.
A Thriving Farming Community
In 1939, at the height of its activity, the 6 farms of the Les Chryolles hamlet formed a thriving farming community. The farms kept vegetable gardens near the hamlet (potatoes, carrots, lettuce, leeks...), as well as soft fruit, mainly redcurrants, and beehives that were still there when we arrived in 1997. Les Chryolles has kept two vegetable gardens, numerous soft-fruit plantings and more than ten fruit trees.
6 Farms
In year-round operation
40-50 Residents
Living there year-round
Herds
Cows, sheep and pigs
Terraces
Rye and potatoes
Paths
For travel and work
Alpine Pastures
Summer transhumance
Architecture and Layout
Savoyard Architecture
Traditional farmhouse with a lauze roof, chimneys and a carved wooden balcony, typical of 18th-century Savoyard architecture.
Craftsman's Details
A carved wooden balcony on a stone wall, evidence of the skilled craftsmanship of the carpenters of the time.
Farm Layout
Layout of the hamlet's farms
Each farm was organised according to the traditional Alpine model:
- Ground floor: stable for the animals
- First floor: family living quarters
- Attic: hay and harvest storage
- Outbuildings: sheds and storerooms
Path Network
A network of paths connected the whole hamlet:
- Connecting paths: between the farms and the hamlets
- Working paths: to the fields and pastures
- Alpine trails: up to the summer heights
- Valley access: link with Valmeinier
Intensive Farming Life
Cultivated Terraces
Dry-stone walls marking out the plots of rye and potatoes
Watering Trough
A traditional stone trough for watering the livestock
Daily Life
Residents, in their Sunday best, on the grounds of Anchical.
Main Produce
Livestock
Dairy cows, sheep for meat and wool, and pigs for meat
Terrace Crops
Rye for bread, potatoes
Vegetable Garden and Beehive
Potatoes, lettuce, leeks, carrots, redcurrants, honey
Forestry
Timber for building and heating
Coal Mine
200 metres above the hamlet, worked until just before the war
The Annual Cycle of Farm Work
The rhythm of Alpine farming life was dictated by the seasons, alternating between fieldwork, livestock rearing and preparations for the hard months. Each season brought its own specific tasks and its own particular challenges in this demanding mountain environment.
Spring (March-May)
Summer (June-August)
Autumn (September-November)
Winter (December-February)
Historic Plans and Drawings
Discover the original plans and architectural drawings that bear witness to the traditional layout of the Savoyard farms of the Anchical hamlet.
Noraz Farm - Original Architecture
Original plans of the Noraz farm showing the traditional layout of the spaces: stable on the ground floor, living quarters upstairs and a hayloft in the attic.
Excoffier Farm - Traditional Structure
Architectural details of the Excoffier farm revealing traditional Savoyard proportions and a layout optimised for mountain life.
Troccaz Farm
A view of the west facade of the Troccaz farm and an overhead view showing the traditional spatial layout, with the main entrance and the arrangement of openings.
Historic Reconstruction of the Hamlet
This reconstruction highlights the historic layout of the hamlet with its three main farms (Excoffier, Troccaz, Noraz) and shows the architectural harmony of the whole before it fell into abandon.
The Hamlet's Tragic History
The Fire of 1792
During the revolutionary unrest, French soldiers set fire to the hamlet, destroying a large part of the dwellings and forcing the residents to flee. They also killed several residents of Anchical.
The Fire of 25 October 1897
A second major fire destroyed the hamlet's three main farms.
Physical Traces
Even today, charred beams can still be seen in the ruins, silent witnesses to these tragedies that shaped the hamlet's history.
These tragic events explain the state of ruin in which the hamlet was found, and underline the importance of the current restoration project.