Many conflicts have ravaged the bailiwick of Gex in the course of history. This region finally fell to France under the treaty of Lyon in 1601 following agreement with the Duke of Savoy. Just one condition laid down by Savoy: a corridor was to be made in the territory of Gex and the valley de la Valserine to allow Spanish troops to pass from Italy to Franche-Comté. The corridor, belonging to the Duke of Savoy, was to be called Spaniards' Path.