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Villages / Jura / Franches-Montagnes district / Chercenay

Chercenay

Canton of Jura · District: Franches-Montagnes · No published figure for the locality; the municipality of Soubey has 123 inhabitants (31.12.2025)
Part of the municipality of Soubey
Origin of the name Founding Historical timeline Must-see historical sites Sources and references Nearby villages

Origin of the name Chercenay

Chercenay appears from 1139, when its chapel is recorded. Neither early forms of the name nor an etymology are known.[1][2]

Founding of Chercenay

Neither the founder nor the date of origin of Chercenay is known. The hamlet, on the left bank of the Doubs, is attested before 1200, like Froidevaux and Lobschez, and its chapel is recorded from 1139. The village of Soubey, mentioned in 1340, then belonged to the parish of Chercenay. It only supplanted these hamlets in the 17th century. Chercenay is now part of the municipality of Soubey.[1]

History of Chercenay

1139. The chapel of Chercenay is recorded, the first mention of the place.[1][2]

Before 1200. Chercenay is attested, as are the neighbouring hamlets of Froidevaux and Lobschez.[1]

1340. The village of Soubey, mentioned for the first time, belongs to the parish of Chercenay.[1]

1564. On 22 May the statutes, ordinances and customs of the church of Chercenay and Soubey are drawn up.[2]

17th century. Soubey supplants Chercenay, Froidevaux and Lobschez as the centre.[1]

1789. On 27 October Bellelay Abbey leases a fishing right in the Doubs at Soubey to Joseph Juillerat, of Chercenay.[2]

1889. On 2 October the farm of Chercenay burns down.[2]

1904. The municipal assembly of Tramelan decides to buy the Chercenay estate to build a hydroelectric plant. Tramelan-Dessus and Tramelan-Dessous ratify the purchase in April.[2]

1938. On 13 March the assembly of Soubey decides to build a road linking Chercenay, La Cernie, Froidevaux and Le Chaufour.[2]

1941. Electricity reaches Chercenay thanks to a bequest from Marie Berret, a former teacher in Cornol.[2]

Historic sites in Chercenay

Hamlet of Chercenay. Hamlet on the left bank of the Doubs, attested before 1200, former parish centre to which Soubey belonged.[1]

Chapel of Chercenay. Chapel recorded from 1139, centre of the parish of Chercenay and Soubey.[1]

Sources

  1. Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Soubey » (François Kohler), version du 13.07.2020
  2. Denis Moine, Chronologie jurassienne, « Chercenay Soubey »
  3. geo.admin.ch (swisstopo), recherche de lieux « Chercenay »

Other villages near Chercenay

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