Simplon

Simplon was a department of the First French Empire. It was named after the Simplon Pass. It was formed in 1810, when the Rhodanic Republic was annexed by France. Its territory corresponded with that of the present-day Swiss canton of Valais. The chef-lieu of the department was Sion. The department was subdivided into the following three arrondissements and cantons: Sion: Hérémence, Loèche, Sierre and Sion. Brigue: Brigue, Conches, Mœrel, Rarogne and Viège. Saint-Maurice: Entremont, Martigny, Monthey and Saint-Maurice. After the final defeat of Napoleon Bonaparte in 1815, the department was admitted to the Swiss Confederation and became the canton of Valais.