This village is located at the confluence of two alpine torrents: the Tuebi and the Aigue Blanche. The name derives from the word ‘Pen,’ meaning rock or height. It is also found in other alpine valleys and even in Italy, where Borgo San Dalmazzo was originally called San Dalmazzo de Pedona.
At the dawn of the history of our region, Péone was part of the vast domain of the Ligurians, whose territories stretched from east to west between the Rhône and the Arno, and from north to south between the Apennines and the sea. Péone belonged to the Néméturi tribe, which was subdued by the Roman legions, and their name is mentioned on Augustus’s trophy in La Turbie. After the fall of the Roman Empire, there was a period of turmoil and instability.
It wasn’t until the 10th century that the medieval system began to organize. Count Griffon of Salligriffon was then the holder of the fief. His vast domain was divided through seigniorial partitions, and Péone and Beuil became the fief of the Balbs, who, originating from Forcalquier, brought the cult of Saint Ginès, martyr of Arles, to Péone. In 1271, the town delimited its lands with Guillaume. In the 13th century, Péone obtained communal freedoms, with a Syndic and a Bayle representing the lord. The fief, through marriage, passed to the Grimaldis.
In 1444, the area (now Valberg) was ceded to the Peonians by Beuil. After the condemnation of Annibal Grimaldi, the lordship passed to various holders before ending up with the Maffei, nobles of Turin, who retained the property until 1792. The French occupation was a disaster for the entire County. Restoration marked the beginning of development in 1823 with the mining of metals. With annexation in 1860, the mine experienced significant growth, but the veins were closed in 1908. World War I accelerated rural exodus.
The Valberg station opened in 1936 and revitalized the village with the exploitation of the plateau, once simple pastureland for herds. Winter sports with skiing breathed new economic life into Péone, of which Valberg is a district. We will not speak of Notre Dame des Neiges in Valberg, already mentioned, but of the church of Saint Jacques and Saint Arige, now dedicated to Saint Vincent. This medieval building was enlarged and rebuilt in the 16th century and in 1761. The white penitents had their chapel: the Very Holy Name of Jesus, of Baroque style, the building is now a private property, restored in 1976. To conclude, Péone depended on the bishopric of Glandève from the 5th century to 1790. The attentive reader will note that Glandève was under the authority of the King of France and Péone under that of the House of Savoy. There is no contradiction as we are under the Ancien Régime and the homage of vassalage does not necessarily adhere to ownership. The concept of Nation and homeland was unknown to the people and the legislator.
Thierry Jan
