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: After the final defeat of Napoleon Bonaparte in 1815, the department was admitted to the Swiss Confederation and became the canton of Valais.

Creation

The department was created by Article 2 of the decree of 12 November 1810, reuniting the Valais to the French Empire. This decree is written as follows: This decree was confirmed by the organic senatus-consulte of 13 December 1810. This senatus-consulte is written as follows:

Administration

Prefects

The prefect (préfet) was the highest state representative in the department. The holder of the office was also subprefect of Sion.

Secretary-general

The secretary-general was the deputy to the prefect.

Subprefect of Brigue

Subprefect of Saint-Maurice

Other officials

The Simplon was represented in the Empire's Corps Legislatif by Charles Emmanuel de Rivaz, a cousin of Isaac de Rivaz. The commander of the troops stationed in the department was Étienne Félix d'Henin de Cuvillers.