Basse-Vendline
Origin of the name Basse-Vendline
According to the merger agreement, the name Basse-Vendline refers to the river that flows through the area. Beurnevésin and Bonfol remain the names of the two villages.[1]
Founding of Basse-Vendline
The merger goes back to a grant of 60'000 francs given to Beurnevésin in 2012, on condition that the commune consider a merger. After several refusals from Vendlincourt, Beurnevésin turns to Bonfol, the only interested neighbour. On 15 May 2022 Beurnevésin accepts the merger by 56 yes to 8 no (87.5 %) and Bonfol by 169 yes to 79 no (68.1 %). The new commune, which had 759 inhabitants at the end of 2021, comes into force on 1 January 2024. Its administration is in Bonfol. The two villages of the Porrentruy district border Alle, Cœuve, Damphreux, Lugnez and Vendlincourt. Both first belonged to the church of Damphreux before forming their own parishes. Bonfol, the larger, long lived from pottery: in 1830 half of its inhabitants worked in it.[1][3][5]
History of Basse-Vendline
1136. Bonfol first appears in a confirmation of the possessions of the abbey of Lucelle. Count Louis of Ferrette, its owner since 1125, gives his lands to Lucelle in 1188.[3]
1387. Count Thiébaud VII of Neuchâtel burns down Beurnevésin castle.[3]
1497. The ponds of Bonfol, laid out by the prince-bishops of Basel, are first mentioned.[3]
1619. The church of Bonfol is separated from that of Damphreux.[5]
1634. During the Thirty Years' War, Swedish troops invade Bonfol and sack Beurnevésin.[3]
1802. Separated from Damphreux, Beurnevésin is made a parish.[5]
1815. The Congress of Vienna makes Bonfol Swiss.[3]
1864. On 1 June a first postal coach links Porrentruy with Beurnevésin.[3]
1901. A railway line links Bonfol with Porrentruy. It is extended in 1910 to Pfetterhouse and Dannemarie.[3]
1988. Bonfol is twinned with Beurnevésin and Pfetterhouse.[3]
2012. Beurnevésin receives 60'000 francs from the strategic support fund, on condition that it consider a merger.[1]
2021. In January a survey of Beurnevésin residents shows that 33 of the 39 respondents favour a merger with Bonfol.[1]
2021. On 21 December the Government approves the intercommunal committee "Beurnevésin-Bonfol".[1]
2022. The merger agreement is signed on 11 March.[1]
2022. Votes of 15 May: 87.5 % yes in Beurnevésin and 68.1 % in Bonfol.[1]
2024. The commune of Basse-Vendline comes into force on 1 January.[1]
Population of Basse-Vendline
Sources and references: [1][2]
| 2021 | 117 (Beurnevésin) |
| 2021 | 642 (Bonfol) |
| 2021 | 759 (both communes combined) |
| 2024 | 736 |
Historic sites in Basse-Vendline
Pottery museum. In Bonfol, Sur la Place, the museum recalls the craft the village lived from. Only one professional potter remains today. The building is cultural property of regional importance.[3][4]
Churches of St Lawrence and St James. The church of St Lawrence in Bonfol and the church of St James in Beurnevésin are both listed as cultural property of regional importance.[4]
Saint-Fromond chapel. It was built in 1866 in the forest north of the village of Bonfol.[3]
Largin farm. During the Second World War the farm served as a crossing point for Alsatian refugees. From 1942 nearly 2'000 people passed through, and in 1944 the whole population of Seppois crossed the border here.[3]
Bonfol archaeological sites. The Merovingian cemetery of Cras Chalet and the Iron Age burial mound of Moncevi are cultural property of regional importance.[4]
Communal administration. It is in Bonfol, which also has the only polling station.[1]
Sources
- République et Canton du Jura, « Message du Gouvernement au Parlement relatif à la fusion des communes mixtes de Beurnevésin et de Bonfol entraînant la constitution de la commune mixte de Basse-Vendline » (6 décembre 2022)
- Statistique Jura, « Mémento statistique Jura 2025 » (population résidante permanente au 31 décembre 2024)
- Commune de Basse-Vendline, « Histoire de Bonfol » (avec l'histoire de Beurnevésin)
- Office fédéral de la protection de la population (OFPP), Inventaire PBC, liste cantonale du canton du Jura (état au 1.1.2026)
- Chronologie jurassienne, « Damphreux »
Localities of the municipality with a page
Other villages near Basse-Vendline
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