Champéry facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Champéry
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Champéry village
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 Champéry
Location in Switzerland
Champéry
Location in Canton of Valais
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| Country | Switzerland | |
| Canton | Valais | |
| District | Monthey | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 38.85 km2 (15.00 sq mi) | |
| Elevation | 1,055 m (3,461 ft) | |
| Population
(Dec 2020 )
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| • Total | 1,371 | |
| • Density | 35.290/km2 (91.40/sq mi) | |
| Postal code |
1874
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| Surrounded by | Evionnaz, Montriond (FR-74), Morzine (FR-74), Samoëns (FR-74), Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval (FR-74), Val-d'Illiez | |
Champéry is a small town in the Valais region of Switzerland. It's located in the Monthey district, right near the border with France. Champéry is known for its beautiful mountain views and as a popular spot for both winter and summer sports.
Contents
- A Look Back: Champéry's History
- Where is Champéry? Geography Basics
- Understanding Champéry's Coat of Arms
- Who Lives in Champéry? Population Facts
- How People Work in Champéry: The Economy
- Faith in Champéry: Religion
- Learning in Champéry: Education
- Fun in Champéry: Sports and Activities
- Getting Around Champéry: Transport
- Images for kids
- See also
A Look Back: Champéry's History
Champéry was first mentioned in old records way back in 1286. It started as a small settlement and grew over time.
A very important building, the Hotel Dent-du-Midi, opened its doors in 1857. This hotel helped bring visitors to the area. Later, in 1969, Champéry became one of the first villages to join the huge Portes du Soleil ski area. This made it a major destination for skiers and snowboarders.
Where is Champéry? Geography Basics
Champéry covers an area of about 39 square kilometers (15 square miles). A big part of this land, about 33%, is covered by forests. Another 33% is used for farming. The town itself, with its buildings and roads, takes up a smaller part, around 3.6%. The rest is mostly mountains and unproductive land.
The town is in a valley called Val-d'Illiez, close to the French border. It used to be part of a bigger town called Val-d'Illiez until 1839, when it became its own independent municipality.
Understanding Champéry's Coat of Arms
The coat of arms for Champéry shows a special design. It features three green mountains with pine trees growing from them. On a blue background, there's a person sowing seeds in a field. This design likely represents the natural beauty and farming history of the area.
Who Lives in Champéry? Population Facts
Champéry has a population of about 1,181 people. Over the last ten years, the number of people living here has grown by about 12.8%. Most of this growth is because new people have moved to the town.
Most people in Champéry speak French as their main language. A smaller number speak German or English.
The population is made up of slightly more men than women. Many residents were born in Champéry or nearby in the same region of Switzerland. Others have moved here from different parts of Switzerland or from other countries.
About 22% of the population are children and teenagers (under 19 years old). Adults (20-64 years old) make up 60%, and seniors (over 64 years old) are about 17.6%.
The chart below shows how Champéry's population has changed over many years:
How People Work in Champéry: The Economy
Champéry has a low unemployment rate, meaning most people who want to work can find jobs. Many jobs in Champéry are related to tourism and services, like working in hotels, restaurants, or shops. This is because it's a popular place for visitors.
Some people also work in farming, growing crops or raising animals. There are also jobs in construction and manufacturing, like building homes or making things.
Many people who live in Champéry travel to other towns for work. A smaller number of people travel into Champéry for their jobs. Most people use a private car to get to work, but some use public transportation.
Faith in Champéry: Religion
Most people in Champéry are Roman Catholic. A smaller number belong to the Swiss Reformed Church. There are also people who follow other Christian faiths, as well as Islam and Buddhism. Some residents do not belong to any church.
Learning in Champéry: Education
Many adults in Champéry have finished high school. A good number have also gone on to get higher education from a university or a special college.
While some students from Champéry go to schools in other towns, only a few students from other places come to school in Champéry.
Fun in Champéry: Sports and Activities
Champéry is a fantastic place for sports and outdoor adventures all year round!
Winter Sports: Skiing and More!
In winter, the Champéry – Planachaux cable car takes skiers up to the Portes du Soleil area, which is about 2,000 meters (6,560 feet) high. This area is huge! It has 194 ski lifts and over 650 kilometers (400 miles) of ski slopes. It's one of the biggest international ski areas in the world.
Champéry is also home to the Skating School Of Switzerland, which was started by famous Swiss figure skater Stéphane Lambiel. The town even has one of the steepest ski slopes in the world, where Red Bull has held competitions!
Summer Adventures: Hiking and Ice Sports!
In summer, 24 chairlifts stay open in the Portes du Soleil area, giving access to over 600 kilometers (370 miles) of paths. This is perfect for hiking and exploring the mountains. The Dents du Midi and Dents Blanches mountain ranges offer amazing walks.
Champéry's Palladium is a special place for ice sports. It has both indoor and outdoor facilities. Many national and international ice sports teams come here to train and compete.
Getting Around Champéry: Transport
Champéry has its own railway line, the Aigle–Ollon–Monthey–Champéry (AOMC) line. This train connects Champéry to Aigle, which is a larger town on the main Swiss Federal Railway. From Aigle, you can easily catch trains to bigger cities like Geneva, Bern, and Basel.
Images for kids
See also
In Spanish: Champéry para niños
