What is "bionaz"

Bionaz (known during the years 1939–46 as Biona) is a comune sparso which extends over of the North-Eastern Valpelline area of the Aosta Valley region of northwest Italy. The commune lies on the left side of the river Dora Baltea. The population of about 240 is dispersed among 20 or more small alpine villages and hamlets including Plan-de-Veyne, which is the main centre and the capoluogo (locally and officially also chef-lieu, in French). The commune belongs to the Unité des communes valdôtaines du Grand-Combin.