Multidaily activity (Historical Dictionary of Cultural and Queyras) By this term, economists and city officials means that the Queyrassins, to access a standard of living "medium" or considered correct in modern France, are obliged to exercise during the year and the following season trades or activities. The phenomenon is ancient. It affected mainly men who were forced to have two or more than two trades during the year. The phenomenon is certainly economical, it also has social and cultural consequences, as he helped forge some identity Queyras, enhancing energy, love of work, manual dexterity, resourcefulness, frugality and sense of savings.
It is easy to explain this phenomenon. The multi-activity and has been imposed - almost naturally - by necessity and physical realities. It is possible to retain three factors: seasonality of agricultural activities, deficiencies in income from traditional activities, relative isolation of the valley. Agricultural work - both crop and livestock - is intensely succeeded from April to October (there were "three months of hell," say the former): hay, crops, livestock keeping, etc.. From November to March, slowing agricultural activity, men had time to do something else. Income that most families received this activity is agro-pastoral revealed soon enough, or because the families had too many children, that the properties were either too small or that the bad weather extending into summer crops have been scarce. Isolated of the rest of the Dauphine, located away from trade flows, families tended to live in autarky and partly to purchase outside that they could not produce: it spins wool; it forges its tools and nails, it manufactures its shoes and it was decided to redo chores bridges and roads, etc..
All witnesses centuries this phenomenon are, for example when they say that farmers are also artisans. One of the most spectacular aspects of this multi-activity is provided by the seasonal migration. In autumn, the heads of families and young people are going to trade at Marseilles, Toulon, Lyon, or will be hired as school teachers or village in Regents of the most welcoming valleys of Provence. All older Queyrassins remember having held various activities to survive. Just ask them: they were loggers and farmers, shoemakers, farmers and balances, etc.. At Roux shelter, V. who cultivated Land ran a grocery store, a cellar, a bar. They were ironmongers and toolmakers, they owned a mill, a forge, and they made nails and tools, they sell small machines, bolts, hinges, wood chisels, etc.. Family B. Ristolas to sell seeds of all kinds in detail, using as a small measuring spoon. A La Monta, Laurent B, farmer and rancher, was also a photographer and glazier.
In the 1950s, the government decided to modernize agriculture in the mountain to "rescue" of a Death Foretold, Queyras has become a "control area" (Where a policy has been tried, which was then extended to other mountain areas). Aid and credits have been allocated, etc.. One of the strengths of this policy consisted, besides the modernization of methods, development of spray irrigation and the introduction of machines, to teach farmers in crafts, especially the woodwork, so they constitute, by practicing, extra income. Queyrassins youth have been trained; aid have been allocated to buy tools and woodworking machines. Many have made the manufacture of furniture and carvings of their main activity or a sideline.
Today, about twenty families live.
In the 1960s, Mayor Ceillac Philippe Lamour, whose experience in planning was recognized by all, has prompted Queyrassins to invest heavily in developing summer tourism and winter, many farmers have become as ski instructors, pole vaulters, heel guards, trackers. Today, multi-activity is mainly seasonal. In tourism, seasonal Winter (from 15 December to late March) is followed by the summer season (July and August). Queyrassins spend a lot of new jobs related to skiing in winter trades related to tourism and hiking in summer.
