Damphreux
Origin of the name Damphreux
The village is first recorded in 1161 as « Damfriol ». The forms « Dunfriol » in 1178 and « Damphriol » in 1256 are reportedly also found, but not confirmed. The name is said to mean « dwelling of Ferréol », a saint martyred at Besançon and patron of the church together with Saint Ferjeux, though this explanation is uncertain.[1]
Founding of Damphreux
Neither the founder nor the date of creation of Damphreux, recorded from 1161, is known. By tradition the parish of Damphreux is the oldest in Ajoie. It belonged to the diocese of Besançon and until 1619 also included Bonfol and Vendlincourt. The chapter of Saint-Ursanne held an allodial estate there, while the abbey of Bellelay and the chapter of Moutier-Grandval held land in fief. The village was part of the county of Ferrette until the end of the 13th century, then of the advocacy of Ajoie, incorporated into the Prince-Bishopric of Basel. Still a farming village, Damphreux is now part of the municipality of Damphreux-Lugnez (merger of 1 January 2023), of which it is the administrative seat.[1]
History of Damphreux
1161. First mention: « Damfriol ».[1]
1178. The chapter of Saint-Ursanne owns a free allodial estate at Damphreux.[1]
Late 13th century. Damphreux, formerly part of the county of Ferrette, passes to the advocacy of Ajoie, incorporated into the Prince-Bishopric of Basel.[1]
1396. The chapter of Moutier-Grandval holds land in fief there, as does the abbey of Bellelay.[1]
1619. Bonfol and Vendlincourt break away from the parish of Damphreux.[1]
Around 1700. The potato, imported from Alsace, is reportedly first grown in Ajoie at Damphreux.
1715. Restoration of the church of Saints-Ferréol-et-Ferjeux.[1]
1779. The parish passes from the diocese of Besançon to the bishopric of Basel.[1]
1792. End of its membership of the mairie of Cœuve.[1]
1793-1814. The village belongs to the French departments of Mont-Terrible, then Haut-Rhin.[1]
1802. Lugnez and Beurnevésin cease to belong to the parish of Damphreux.[1]
1815-1978. Damphreux is part of the canton of Bern (bailiwick, then district of Porrentruy).[1]
1836. Damphreux becomes a mixed municipality.[1]
1867. The church of Saints-Ferréol-et-Ferjeux is rebuilt.[1]
1991. Land consolidation.[1]
2023. Merger with Lugnez on 1 January: creation of the municipality of Damphreux-Lugnez, with its administration based in Damphreux.
Population of Damphreux
Sources and references: [1]
| 1818 | 246 |
| 1850 | 344 |
| 1900 | 294 |
| 1950 | 276 |
| 1990 | 150 |
| 2000 | 166 |
| 2010 | 168 |
| 2020 | 181 |
| 2022 | 183 |
Historic sites in Damphreux
Church of Saints-Ferréol-et-Ferjeux. Church of a parish held by tradition to be the oldest in Ajoie. Restored in 1715 and rebuilt in 1867. Cultural property of regional significance (federal PCP inventory).[1][4]
Sources
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Damphreux » (Dominique Prongué), version allemande
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Damphreux-Lugnez »
- République et Canton du Jura, Parlement, arrêté portant approbation de la fusion entre la commune mixte de Damphreux et la commune mixte de Lugnez (27 avril 2022, RSJU 190.31)
- Office fédéral de la protection de la population (OFPP), Inventaire PBC, liste cantonale du canton du Jura (état au 1.1.2026)
- geo.admin.ch (swisstopo), recherche de lieux « Damphreux »
Other villages near Damphreux
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