Areuse
Origin of the name Areuse
The place is recorded in 1178 as « Oruse » and in 1289 as « Crousa ». It bears the name of the Areuse river, on whose bank it lies. The sources consulted do not explain the origin of the name. The inhabitants of Areuse were nicknamed « lé Crosèran » in patois, meaning « those from the hollow » (to be cross-checked) ; no source links this nickname to the form « Crousa ».
Founding of Areuse
Areuse is a locality at the foot of a hill between Colombier and Boudry, on the bank of the Areuse river. No source names a founder or a founding act. In the Middle Ages Areuse belonged to the lordship of Colombier, which covered Colombier, Areuse and part of Bôle. From 1284 the commune of Areuse shared forests, grazing rights and certain labour services with Bôle and Colombier. It belonged to the parish, jurisdiction and lordship of Colombier until 1832, then came under Boudry. Lying on the border of two lordships with entangled rights and having a tiny territory, the commune of Areuse could never become a territorial municipality. Poorly managed, the community faced serious financial problems and, after several union projects, merged with Boudry in 1870.
History of Areuse
1178. First known mention of the place, as « Oruse ».
1284. The commune of Areuse shares forests, grazing rights and certain labour services with Bôle and Colombier.
1289. The place is recorded as « Crousa ».
1311. The Count of Neuchâtel obtains the advocacy of Areuse at the expense of Pierre d'Estavayer.
1357. Colombier, Bôle and Areuse receive forests under a perpetual lease, which they manage jointly until the 18th century.
1780. Areuse has 48 inhabitants.
1832. Areuse leaves the parish, jurisdiction and lordship of Colombier and now comes under Boudry ; its inhabitants are admitted to the church of Boudry.
1842. The old wooden bridge over the Areuse is replaced by a stone bridge.
1850. Areuse has 101 inhabitants.
1870. After several union projects, the small commune of Areuse (74 inhabitants) merges with Boudry.
1892. Opening of the Neuchâtel-Boudry tramway, which serves Areuse (stop at Areuse to be cross-checked).
1990. The bridge over the Areuse collapses (to be cross-checked).
Population of Areuse
| 1780 | 48 |
| 1850 | 101 |
| 1870 | 74 |
Historic sites in Areuse
The village of Areuse. Together with Trois-Rods and Grandchamp, Areuse is one of the districts of Boudry that keep the appearance of Neuchâtel villages of the 18th and 19th centuries.
The bridge over the Areuse. Here the Yverdon-Neuchâtel road crosses the Areuse. The old wooden bridge was replaced in 1842 by a stone bridge ; a collapse of the bridge is reported in 1990 (to be cross-checked).
The Littorail stops. Areuse is served by the Littorail line (stops Areuse and Areuse Les Isles), successor of the Neuchâtel-Boudry tramway opened in 1892.
Remains in Areuse
Burgundian cemetery of Bel-Air. A Burgundian cemetery was discovered at the place called Bel-Air, near Areuse, in the territory of the present municipality of Boudry.
Sources
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Areuse (localité) » (Germain Hausmann)
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Boudry » (Germain Hausmann)
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Colombier (NE) » (Germain Hausmann)
- État de Neuchâtel, arrêté du 4 février 2026 homologuant le recensement cantonal de la population au 31 décembre 2025
- Wikipédia (allemand) : Areuse NE
- Wikipédia (allemand) : Boudry
- Wikipédia (français) : Boudry (Neuchâtel)
- Wikipédia (anglais) : Boudry
- Wikipédia (français) : Cortaillod
- Site officiel de la commune de Boudry, page Géographie
- Site officiel de la commune de Boudry, page Patrimoine
- Site officiel de la commune de Boudry, page Histoire
- Site officiel de la commune de Boudry, page Musées, caveau
- Site officiel de la commune de Milvignes
- Office cantonal de l'archéologie neuchâtelois (OARC)
Other villages near Areuse
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