Bourrignon

Origin of the name Bourrignon

Name origin: mentioned in 1136 in the form « Borognuns », then in 1295 « Burgis »; its old German name is « Bürkis ». The etymology is not explained in the sources consulted. The inhabitants bear the nickname « Borets » (ducks in patois) (to be cross-checked).

Founding of Bourrignon

Bourrignon lies on a terrace of the northern slope of the Rangiers chain, at a formerly important place of passage, the road linking the Delémont valley to Lucelle. No founder is known. The village is mentioned from 1136 and its parish from 1181. Until 1792 it was one of the free villages of the lordship of Delémont, a bailiwick of the Prince-Bishopric of Basel.

History of Bourrignon

1136. First mention in the form « Borognuns ».

1181. The parish of Bourrignon is mentioned.

1295. Mention in the form « Burgis ».

16th century. A forge works the pig iron of the Charmoille blast furnace, in operation from 1516.

1747-1749. The church of Saint-Sébastien is rebuilt in baroque style with a porch tower.

1753. The church altar is dated 1753 (to be cross-checked).

1777. Stations of the Cross painted by François Ignace Tavanne (to be cross-checked).

until 1792. Free village of the lordship of Delémont, a bailiwick of the Prince-Bishopric of Basel.

1793-1814. French period: Bourrignon belongs to the department of Mont-Terrible, then to Haut-Rhin (to be cross-checked).

1815-1978. Bourrignon belongs to the Bernese district of Delémont.

1854. Separation of the citizens' community and the municipality.

1874-1935. The parish is attached to that of Pleigne.

1974-1977. Restoration of the church, which reveals a 17th-century coin hoard.

1979. Bourrignon becomes part of the new canton of Jura.

Population of Bourrignon

Population of Bourrignon

1818	226
1850	359
1870	382
1900	330
1950	312
1980	221
2000	286
2010	271
2025	259

Historic sites in Bourrignon

Church of Saint-Sébastien. Baroque church with a porch tower, rebuilt in 1747-1749 and restored in 1974-1977. Its baptismal font is said to date from the 16th century and its Stations of the Cross are the work of François Ignace Tavanne (1777) (to be cross-checked).

Les Ordons. Highest point of the municipality, at 999 m above sea level, home to a regional broadcasting station (to be cross-checked).

Remains in Bourrignon

Coin hoard of the church. Hoard of 17th-century coins discovered during the restoration of the church of Saint-Sébastien in 1974-1977.

Sources

• Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Bourrignon » (François Kohler)
• Statistique Jura, tableau JU-T.01.01.03, population résidante permanente au 31 décembre 2025
• Wikipédia, « Bourrignon »
• geo.admin.ch (swisstopo), recherche de lieux « Bourrignon »

Other villages near Bourrignon

• Pleigne (JU)
• Movelier (JU)
• Develier (JU)
• Mettembert (JU)
• Boécourt (JU)