Epauvillers
Origin of the name Epauvillers
The village appears in 1139 as « Villare », in a bull of Pope Innocent II confirming the possessions of the chapter of Saint-Ursanne. Reportedly the forms « Vilario » (1173), « Vilaire » (1175), « Vilers » (1210) and « Haut-Villers » in the 16th century follow. The form « Epauvillers » is said to appear only in the early 18th century. These forms are not confirmed, nor is the old German name, said to be « Wiler ». Latin « villare » means a rural estate, but the prefix « Epau- » has not yet been explained.[1]
Founding of Epauvillers
Neither the date nor the founder of Epauvillers is known. The village appears in 1139 among the possessions of the chapter of Saint-Ursanne and belonged to the provostry of Saint-Ursanne until 1792. According to the roll of 1210, the mayor was appointed by agreement between the Bishop of Basel and the chapter. The church of Saint-Arnoux, incorporated into the chapter in 1313, made Epauvillers the centre of a parish that also included Epiquerez. Part of the canton of Bern from 1815 to 1978 (Franches-Montagnes district), then of the canton of Jura, the village is now part of the municipality of Clos du Doubs (merger of 1 January 2009).[1][4]
History of Epauvillers
1139. First mention, as « Villare », in the bull of Pope Innocent II confirming the possessions of the chapter of Saint-Ursanne.[1]
1210. According to the roll of 1210, the mayor is appointed by agreement between the Bishop of Basel and the chapter of Saint-Ursanne.[1]
1313. The church of Saint-Arnoux is incorporated into the chapter of Saint-Ursanne, which serves it from then on.[1]
1618-1648. The church is destroyed during the Thirty Years' War.[1]
Late 17th century. The church of Saint-Arnoux is rebuilt.[1]
1730-1740. The inhabitants take an active part in the unrest shaking the Prince-Bishopric of Basel.[1]
1792. End of membership of the provostry of Saint-Ursanne. The population is hostile to revolutionary ideas.[1]
1793-1813. Epauvillers belongs to the French departments of Mont-Terrible, then Haut-Rhin.[1][4]
1815-1978. The village belongs to the canton of Bern, in the Franches-Montagnes district.[1][4]
1840. First alteration of the church.[1]
1860. Further alteration of the church.[1]
1928. Construction of the school, characteristic of the Heimatstil.[1][4]
1965. Renovation of the church of Saint-Arnoux.[1][4]
1979. Epauvillers joins the new canton of Jura.
2009. On 1 January, Epauvillers merges with Epiquerez, Montenol, Montmelon, Ocourt, Saint-Ursanne and Seleute to form the municipality of Clos du Doubs (Porrentruy district).[1][4]
Population of Epauvillers
Sources and references: [1][4]
| 1818 | 245 |
| 1850 | 293 |
| 1888 | 320 |
| 1900 | 251 |
| 1950 | 196 |
| 2000 | 149 |
| 2008 | 135 |
Historic sites in Epauvillers
Church of Saint-Arnoux. Parish church served by the chapter of Saint-Ursanne from 1313. Destroyed during the Thirty Years' War, rebuilt in the late 17th century and altered in 1840 and 1860, it was renovated in 1965. Epiquerez always belonged to this parish. Cultural property of regional significance (federal PCP inventory, listed as « St-Arnoulph »).[1][3][4]
School of 1928. School building constructed in 1928, a characteristic example of the Heimatstil.[1][4]
Old farmhouses. The village reportedly has characteristic farmhouses of the 18th and 19th centuries.
Sources
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Epauvillers » (Claude Rebetez), version du 18.05.2020
- geo.admin.ch (swisstopo), recherche de lieux « Epauvillers »
- Office fédéral de la protection de la population (OFPP), Inventaire PBC, liste cantonale du canton du Jura (état au 1.1.2026)
- Denis Moine, Chronologie jurassienne, « Epauvillers »
Other villages near Epauvillers
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