The Pays du Mont Blanc consists of 14 municipalities, some of which already have tight ties: 1) The upper valley block: Vallorcine, Chamonix, Les Houches, Servoz 2) The lower valley block: Passy, Domancy, Sallanches 3) Municipalities with ties to more than one community: Contamines, St.Gervais, Megeve, Praz sur Arly, Combloux, Cordon, Demi-Quartier Chamonix would be happy to unite all 14 municipalties as they are united in the Sivom pays du Mont Blanc, but other smaller municipalities are reluctant. There are geographic and economic considerations to consider. What do 'Best of the Alps' ski resorts like Chamonix and Megeve have in common with small rural communities like Domancy? The new regrouping will serve to consolidate decision making on transport and water services, sport and cultural infrastructure as well as town planning and environmental issues. Inter-communal cooperation is not a new phenomenon in France. Following laws in 1992 and 1999, there is a new push to consolidate since France is the European country divided into the largest number of municipalities, which detracts from local economy of scale.
