Damphreux-Lugnez
Origin of the name Damphreux-Lugnez
The commune simply combines the names of its two villages, Damphreux and Lugnez, which remain the names of the localities.[1][2]
Founding of Damphreux-Lugnez
The merger came from the residents themselves: in May 2019 a petition signed by 176 people from the two villages calls for a union. The communal assemblies start the process, a merger committee prepares the agreement, and on 13 February 2022 Damphreux accepts by 81 yes to 27 no (75 %) and Lugnez by 81 yes to 24 no (77 %). The two communes together had 369 inhabitants, well below the threshold of 1'000 inhabitants set in principle. The commune of Damphreux-Lugnez has existed since 1 January 2023. Long before the merger, the two villages were already closely linked neighbours. Their parish bore the name Damphreux-Lugnez, and together they founded the Concordia choral society in 1908, the milk producers' association in 1915 and the mutual credit bank in 1961. Their post offices were merged in 1977 under the name Damphreux-Lugnez. For primary school they belong to the Coeuvatte school district.[1][2][4][5]
History of Damphreux-Lugnez
around 570. According to tradition, St Imier is born at Lugnez.[5]
1178. On 24 March a bull of Pope Alexander III confirming the possessions of the church of Saint-Ursanne mentions Damphreux.[4]
1653. On 4 March Cœuve, Lugnez, Damphreux and Beurnevésin are plundered by the troops of General Rocs.[4]
1793. On 23 March Damphreux and Lugnez become part of the canton of Cœuve, created in the Mont-Terrible department.[4][5]
1798. On 30 July a French law moves the seat of the municipal administration of the canton of Cœuve to Damphreux.[4]
1844. On 15 May, after two years of refusals by Damphreux, the Education Department orders the two villages to agree on a shared school.[4][5]
1980. On 29 April Damphreux accepts the school merger with Lugnez that it had rejected in 1973.[4]
1993. On 8 June the school grouping is extended to Beurnevésin.[4][5]
2019. In May a petition signed by 176 residents of the two communes is submitted.[1]
2019. The assembly of Damphreux (6 June, 24 yes) and then that of Lugnez (9 July, 29 yes) decide to start a merger process.[1]
2020. On 4 February the Government approves the intercommunal merger committee. The pandemic then delays the timetable.[1]
2021. The merger agreement is signed on 4 November, after two information meetings.[1]
2022. Popular vote of 13 February: 75 % yes in Damphreux and 77 % in Lugnez, with turnouts of 70 and 72 %.[1]
2022. The Jura Parliament approves the merger on 27 April.[2]
2023. The merger comes into force on 1 January, at the start of the 2023-2027 communal term.[1][2]
Population of Damphreux-Lugnez
Sources and references: [1][3][7]
| 2020 | 181 (Damphreux) |
| 2020 | 188 (Lugnez) |
| 2020 | 369 (both communes combined) |
| 2023 | 360 (commune of Damphreux-Lugnez) |
| 2024 | 370 |
Historic sites in Damphreux-Lugnez
Church of Saints Ferréol and Ferjeux. In Damphreux the church was rebuilt in 1867-1868, following the decision of February 1866. It is dedicated to two martyrs of Besançon. Entered in the catalogue of historic monuments on 2 November 1988, it is cultural property of regional importance.[4][6]
Saint-Imier chapel. At Lugnez the chapel, built around 1600, was blessed on 12 November 1883. During its restoration, old foundations were found in 1968. It was listed as a historic monument on 19 March 2002.[5]
Saint-Imier Gallo-Roman villa. At the place called Saint-Imier, in Lugnez, a Gallo-Roman villa is listed as cultural property of regional importance.[6]
Communal administration. It is in Damphreux, where the communal assembly normally meets and where the only polling station is located.[1]
Sources
- République et Canton du Jura, « Message du Gouvernement au Parlement relatif à la fusion des communes mixtes de Damphreux et de Lugnez » (29 mars 2022)
- 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)
- Statistique Jura, « Mémento statistique Jura 2025 » (population résidante permanente au 31 décembre 2024)
- Chronologie jurassienne, « Damphreux »
- Chronologie jurassienne, « Lugnez »
- Office fédéral de la protection de la population (OFPP), Inventaire PBC, liste cantonale du canton du Jura (état au 1.1.2026)
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Damphreux-Lugnez » (version du 09.08.2023)
Localities of the municipality with a page
Other villages near Damphreux-Lugnez
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