Walking in the heart of the village of Bessans

The Bessans Jadis et Aujourd'hui association, created in 1978, aims to protect and enhance the historical, artistic and cultural heritage of Bessans, and to involve all Bessans residents and friends of Bessans in this work.

Its activities include :

- publication of a biannual magazine (92 issues to date) and a seasonal gazette ;

- archive research and genealogical work;

- the publication of books: Toponymie de Bessans, Mémoires d'alpages, Bessans qui chante (with CD), Dictionnaire Patois bessanais/Français ;

- the design of discovery booklets published by the Commune de Bessans: Balade au cœur de Bessans, Balades autour de Bessans, La chapelle Saint-Antoine, De chapelles en oratoires;

- the production of films, audio recordings and photographic reports;

- publishing postcards and calendars;

- a media library: library, photos, audio recordings, films, archives;

- collaborations with the Musée Savoisien, BNF, Cinémathèque des Pays de Savoie, PNV, Revue des Patrimoines de Savoie;

- themed field trips, literary days;

- a website: www.bja-bessans.fr which reports on all these activities and productions. It features collaborative photo exhibitions, notably for identification and dating, a sound vocabulary of the Bessan dialect and many other features.

Association de valorisation du patrimoine de Bessans. 350 members. Biannual magazine. Booklets. Discovery booklets. Films. Documentation archives, photo, audio, video. Outings, conferences, screenings. Quarterly Gazette. Website www.bja-bessans.fr