Combe-Grède
Origin of the name Combe-Grède
The name « Grède » first appears on 26 August 1551 in the baptismal register of Villeret. Its meaning has not been explained.[1]
Founding of Combe-Grède
The Combe-Grède is an almost untouched, wooded gorge surrounded by rocks, cut into the north face of the Chasseral. The Saint-Imier section of the Alpine Club had a path built through it, inaugurated in 1904, and from 1910 the Société jurassienne de développement proposed making it a park. The plan succeeded in 1932, when the Bernese government placed the gorge under state protection. The Jura park of the Combe-Grède and the Chasseral, enlarged many times, has become one of the attractions of Villeret.[1][2][3]
History of Combe-Grède
1551. On 26 August the name « Grède » appears in the baptismal register of Villeret.[1]
1864. On 1 August the people of Villeret meet about work on the Combe-Grède torrent.[1]
1887. First descent of the Combe-Grède couloir.[1]
1891. On 30 April the Saint-Imier section of the Alpine Club forms a Chasseral group to open a path through the gorge.[1]
1904. The finished path is inaugurated on 30 October.[1]
1910. The Société jurassienne de développement proposes making the Combe-Grède a Jura national park.[1]
1913. On 11 July the same society forms a commission to develop the gorge as a nature park.[1]
1931. On 21 August a Bernese delegation and groups from Saint-Imier visit the site and adopt the name « Parc jurassien ».[1]
1932. On 6 May the Bernese government places the Combe-Grède under state protection. A committee sets its boundaries on 13 May.[1][2][3]
1933. On 16 June the government enlarges the reserve.[1]
1940. The government decides on a further extension on 4 June and ratifies it on 12 June.[1]
1943. Neuchâtel protects the Combe-Biosse, which forms an intercantonal park with the Combe-Grède.[1]
1948. On 11 September the reserve is extended again.[1]
1956. An ordinance of 12 June makes the gorge a game refuge. Three chamois are released on 25 June, the first of a series that lasts until 1962.[1]
1957. On 10 October the Bernese government issues a new protection decision.[1][2]
1967. On 20 April footbridges built by the army are inaugurated.[1]
1999. On 17 May a meeting votes 400'000 francs to renovate the path.[1]
2008. On 14 June a plaque honours the founders of the 1932 park.[1]
2014. A first eaglet born in the Combe-Grède fledges.[1]
Historic sites in Combe-Grède
Combe-Grède gorge. Almost untouched, wooded gorge surrounded by rocks whose geological layers are visible. It is home to the short-eared owl, the three-toed woodpecker, the wallcreeper and grouse.[2]
Chasseral pastures. The upper part of the reserve has open Jura pastures with a varied alpine flora, and the Chasseral ridge subalpine and alpine plants. The reserve is listed in the federal inventory of dry grasslands of national importance.[2]
Combe-Grède path. Path inaugurated in 1904, fitted with footbridges in 1967 and ladders in 1968, renovated in the late 1990s.[1]
Sources
- Chronologie jurassienne (Denis Moine, Archives cantonales jurassiennes, Archives de l'État de Berne, Mémoires d'Ici), « Combe-Grède, Villeret »
- Canton de Berne, Office de l'agriculture et de la nature, Service de la promotion de la nature, réserve naturelle « Combe-Grède » (page du 27.09.2023)
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Villeret » (Christine Gagnebin-Diacon), version du 30.05.2012
Other villages near Combe-Grède
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