- History:
- The first inhabitants were arrested around the 8th century to find refuge in the middle of forests and swamps.
- Under the suzerainty of the Ladies canonesses Remiremont, religion had on the valley a profound influence, as illustrated in the 145 crosses that mark the territory of the Val-d'Ajol. This piety was such that it had political consequences and even determined the separation of their common mother Girmont Val Ajol. It was indeed all-in-fact intolerable for those having high mileage to get to church services. Also, a first proposal to build a church was launched at the end of the Consulate, but the Napoleonic wars in first condemned the execution. In 1867 the cornerstone was laid soon followed by a demand for autonomy of the people of Girmont, granted in 1869.
- The region had already undergone significant uncertainties still enrolled land in the stone. Since 1501, Maximilian had proclaimed the first "land of suspension" is a hinge between two independent regions and the allocation of which remained in suspension. Thus, the country formerly located on the borders of Lorraine and the gates of Burgundy was the subject of many discussions that ultimately determined the final connection to Lorraine in 1697.
- Today Le Val-d'Ajol is influenced both by the spirit of the mountain culture as Franche-Comté. It offers visitors a mixture of cultivated and forested landscapes amid which fall more than 65 hamlets composed of farms and their appendices, designed to serve a virtually self-sufficient life.
- At the end of the 19th century, the municipality of Val-d'Ajol extended over some 7279 hectares on which forest, meadows, plowing occupied the largest share (community forests: 1996 hectares of State Timber: 510 acres ; meadows: 1705 hectares). The areas devoted to cereals were far from negligible: the wheat was not far with its 100 hectares planted, and barley 60 hectares, 38 hectares were reserved for potatoes, 21 acres in oats, rye taking the last place on this list with 15 hectares. On the other hand if we consider that each family or home, had his small plot of land for its own garden crops, they covered about 35 hectares. It is then that he had good crops to meet the food needs of a population was 7250 inhabitants, one of the largest of the Vosges. In 1868 it was 7,560 inhabitants. The agricultural population was large, highly diversified firms also spread throughout the valley Combeauté provided a wide variety of industrial activities. Thus one could number in 1890 at Val d'Ajol a cotton mill workers occupying 190, a woolen mill, three with two hundred looms weaving, two metallurgical plants of 180 workers, a laundromat, two breweries , including the famous brewery of the Golden Sheaf renowned regional, an oil (the place has also retained the name "Huilerie"), nine sawmills, ten mills finally receiving the grain of all chalots of the campaign and gave flour for daily bread.
- Twelve annual fairs enabled each other to market their products. The busiest held the third Monday in February: Frequently Asked ripailleuse Andouilles. Remembering the gargantuan sausages fairs of the past and to strengthen the sustainability, in this fifteenth day of February in the year of grace 1965, a learned, badge, gourmet Brotherhood of Taste-Andouille, was created in Val-d ' Ajol which since then has continued to carry off the reputation "andouilleuse" Val de Joye!
- Activities related to the natural environment:
- Agriculture: Farming is still marked on the territory of the Val-d'Ajol because now number about sixty working farms on approximately 2500 ha of farmland. Buildings, if they are not framed, may prevent a better organization of agriculture. Farmland has the following characteristics: funds valley and the slopes are the area of hay meadows near-permanent plots are reserved for other crops and leys. They are usually seen northwest of the municipal territory. It is necessary for farmers to have near the farms, permanent grassland (stockyards), even though these lands are intended to "plow". The presence of numerous fruit trees (especially cherry) is the sign of a small craft. Agricultural parcels are sometimes near the place of business, and the production system the most common, based on dairy farming, about a dairy cow per hectare of UAA (utilized agricultural area). The rearing of calves, pigs, sheep, provides additional income to farmers. Localized natural grasslands to wet lowlands and steep slopes are perfectly maintained. Temporary grassland or natural provide the bulk of green feed. Alternating the crops grown are cereals (barley, oats, wheat) and leys, and occasionally beets and potatoes.
- Forestry: The forest is managed by 14 loggers. There are 50 workers in sawmills. The municipality of Val-d'Ajol has, in joint ownership with that of Girmont Val d'Ajol (since 1869 Division 2 common), by governmental status dating from the first Empire, a forested area among the largest in France. These forests have beautiful species of trees. They are operated solely by the municipalities, which gives them a significant financial resource. The great forests are located in the northwest (The Chanot and Hamanxard) and northeast (the Bosson, The Veche, Forest Hérival). Of wood of smaller sizes are located in the south. Much of the territory is covered with coniferous forests in bulk (3428 ha or 47% of territory). The inter-forest, managed by the ONF is 1811 ha (including 239 hectares in the commune of Girmont). The NFB performs all operations: planting, harvesting and marketing of mature trees. The storm of December 26, 1999 spared the communal forests of Val-d'Ajol.
- Careers: Only one quarry is worked in Val d'Ajol (granite cracked) place called "Le Breuil", she belongs to the municipality of Val-d'Ajol and operated by a company solely for the purpose of NFB and the municipality.
