THE HISTORY

The principality of Comborciere is situated on the domain off La Toussuire in Savoie, at the heart of the Sybelles.

In a far away language, Comborciere meant "Catacombe of the bears".

The more amusing reference, however, is that of the word Toussuire which used the mean 'the swamp'. Incidentally, the swamp is the name given to the gay quarters in Paris.

The chalet refuge of Comborciere exists since 1929 as a chalet for mountain pasture. As soon as 3rd January 1931, however, the local paper 'L'Echo de Maurienne' prints the following article:
"There, the skiers who bring their own subsistence will find, if not luxury, at least somewhere to put their bags and luggage and a great fire for their dinner. Hot drinks (tea, coffee and mulled wine) are available. This chalet is 10 minutes above the village, in the middle of snow fields, at the bottom of the slopes of Comborciere.".

But Comborciere is, above all, men and women out of the ordinary:

. 1932, Bienvenu Augert takes over from his brother, Germain. Comborciere takes off...

. 1936, The Augert brothers invent the first ski lift: Comborciere, with a Ford engine!

. 1970, Jean-Noël Augert becomes world ski champion at Val Gardena

. 1999, Florence de Comborciere creates the first gay refuge the highest in the world at 1850 metres

. 2000, The fist Ski Pride is born. The competition takes place the last week end in March, every year.

. Février 2002, Jean-Pierre Vidal, cousin of the Augert family, gets the gold medal at the winter Olympics at Salt Lake City.

. Avril 2002, Administrative birth: the first passport with the address 'Principality of Comborciere' is issued. The gay community can brag about having a Principality.

. July 2009,the Principality celebrate its anniversary: already 10 years

. Since its inception, the Principality supports a number of children's charities and gay and lesbian events and associations.