Simplon (department)
Simplon was a department of the French First Empire. It was named after the Simplon Pass. It was formed in 1810, when the Rhodanic Republic was annexed by the French Republic. 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.
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 was the highest state representative in the department. The holder of the office was also subprefect of Sion.| Term start | Term end | Office holder |
| 11 January 1811 | 13 November 1811 | Claude Joseph Parfait Derville-Maléchard |
| 13 November 1811 | 29 December 1813 | Claude-Philibert Barthelot de Rambuteau |
Secretary-general
The secretary-general was the deputy to the prefect.| Term start | Term end | Office holder |
| 11 January 1811 | 29 December 1813 | Ruillier |