Le Versoyen

Le Versoyen

IMPETUOUS TORRENTS

While the torrents contributed to the town’s prosperity and industrialisation in the 20th century, they have also brought many challenges—since Antiquity.

Bourg Saint Maurice – Les Arcs has always been battered by the torrents that run through it. One of the earliest accounts of their power dates back to the year 163: the Roman emperor Lucius Verus was stopped with his army at the city gates because of the torrents’ impetuosity. He ordered a dyke to be built to protect the Roman road.

The Arbonne devastated the town several times (1389, 1636, 1733), forcing residents to rebuild the church. In 1948, a torrential debris flow even swept away the bridge on the national road.

Le Versoyen also caused devastating floods until quite recently. In 1764, it submerged the Marshes, merging with the neighbouring torrent, the Reclus. The road was cut off several times, notably during a memorable flood in 1996.