Châtelvouhay
Origin of the name Châtelvouhay
The name is said to derive from « castellum advocati », the advocate's castle, which the German form Vogtsburg also renders. The spellings Châtelvouhay and Châtel-Vouhay are both found.[3]
Founding of Châtelvouhay
The castle of Châtelvouhay was built in the 13th century on a spur overlooking the Allaine valley, above the village of Courchavon. It is said to have been built at the end of the 13th century by the Prince-Bishop of Basel as the seat of his advocate. In the 13th and 14th centuries it was the residence of the advocates of the Ajoie, the Châtelvouhay family, who held Courchavon and Mormont in fief from the bishop of Basel. The site lies in the municipality of Courchavon.[1][3][5]
History of Châtelvouhay
13th century. The castle of Châtelvouhay is built; remains of it survive.[1][3]
13th-14th century. The castle is the residence of the advocates of the Ajoie.[1]
1320. First mention of Ulrich (Hurry) de Châtelvouhay, who is said to have also administered the castle of Porrentruy and the advocacy of the Ajoie.[3]
14th century. The Châtelvouhay family holds Courchavon and Mormont in fief from the bishop of Basel.[1]
1349. On 10 January Othenin de Châtel-Vouhay founds a chapel in the church of Courchavon.[2]
1398. Countess Henriette de Montbéliard reportedly enfeoffs the castle to Etienne de Châtel-Vouhay.[3]
Around 1470. The family dies out; the bishop reportedly takes back the fief and the castle is said to be abandoned.[3]
2014. Building a footpath reportedly leads to the recovery of metal objects on the site.[3]
2017. A survey by the Jura cantonal archaeology service and students of the University of Basel reportedly produced a topographic plan and yielded pottery and metal objects.[3]
Historic sites in Châtelvouhay
Ruins of Châtelvouhay. Castle site on a spur above the Allaine valley, at 472 m, former residence of the advocates of the Ajoie in the 13th and 14th centuries. The ruins (Le gros jardin locality) are listed as a cultural property of regional importance (federal PCP inventory).[1][3][5]
Remains in Châtelvouhay
Platform and ditches. Reportedly only a few sections of wall remain. The earthworks are the most striking feature: a central mound of just over 40 m by about 20 m, surrounded by a ring ditch whose masonry counterscarp has been uncovered for several metres to the north-east, as well as a rampart and outer ditches.[1][3]
Curtain wall. A section of the curtain wall is reportedly still visible to the south.[3]
Sources
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Courchavon » (Dominique Prongué), version du 14.05.2020 (lu dans la version allemande)
- Denis Moine, Chronologie jurassienne, « Courchavon »
- Burgenwelt, « Châtel-Vouhay (Vogtsburg) »
- geo.admin.ch (swisstopo), recherche de lieux « Ruine de Châtelvouhay »
- Office fédéral de la protection de la population (OFPP), Inventaire PBC, liste cantonale du canton du Jura (état au 1.1.2026)
Other villages near Châtelvouhay
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