Fenin

Canton of Neuchâtel · Region: Val-de-Ruz · 846 inhabitants (31.12.2012, former municipality of Fenin-Vilars-Saules, last census before the merger; no separate figure for Fenin)

Part of the municipality of Val-de-Ruz

Origin of the name Founding Historical timeline Population over time Must-see historical sites Remains Sources and references Nearby villages

Origin of the name Fenin

The village is recorded in 1191 as « de Finilis », then as « Fenis » in 1228 (to be cross-checked). The name is said to come from Latin « fenile », a hayloft or hay barn, derived from « fenum », hay (etymology to be cross-checked).

Founding of Fenin

No foundation charter is known for Fenin. The site was occupied in Roman times: Roman remains have been found there, and the Vy Marchand, an old road at the foot of Chaumont, probably follows a Roman route. In the Middle Ages the village belonged to the lordship and later the mairie of Valangin; its church is recorded from 1191. According to a tradition repeated in popular works, the village grew during the clearing of the Val-de-Ruz led in the 12th century by Berthold of Valangin (to be cross-checked). In 1488 Fenin forms a community when Claude d'Aarberg grants it, together with Saules and Vilars, rights of use in the forests on the slope of Chaumont. The village lived from farming and forestry.

History of Fenin

Roman period. Roman remains; the Vy Marchand, at the foot of Chaumont, probably follows a Roman route.

12th century. Clearing of the Val-de-Ruz under Berthold of Valangin, with whom tradition links the growth of Fenin (to be cross-checked).

1191. First record of the village (« de Finilis ») and of its church, dedicated to Saint Lawrence.

1228. The church of Fenin is a parish church.

1453. The church is then a daughter church of the parish of Saint-Blaise; the episcopal visitation confirms a font and a cemetery.

1488. Claude d'Aarberg grants Fenin, Saules and Vilars rights of use in the forests on the slope of Chaumont: Fenin forms a community.

early 16th century. The rib-vaulted choir of the church is probably rebuilt; Gothic stained glass shows Saint Lawrence and Saint William.

1526. A boundary stone carved with coats of arms is set up on Chaumont during a border demarcation.

1531. The village has 11 hearths (households).

1558. After the Reformation, the church of Fenin is joined to the parish of Engollon.

1561. Construction of the manor known as « le château », attributed to a member of the Clerc family (attribution to be cross-checked).

1615. Death of Jean Tribolet, whose tombstone with a bronze medallion is kept in the church.

1643. Circular stone communion table, of a type unique in the canton.

1646. The manor passes to the de Meuron family, who own it until 1820.

1736. A new bell tower is built by the master masons Jonas-Pierre Petitpierre, Joseph Perrenoud, David Borrel and Daniel Jeanneret.

1763. Complete rebuilding of the nave roof structure to plans by Jean Dardel.

1793. The community house is built; it is now the « Auberge du Chasseur ».

1794. The Neuchâtel-Saint-Imier road links the villages better.

1803. Trees are planted south of the church.

1820. The manor passes to the Pury family, and later to the Châtelain family.

1860. Fire in the village; the 1793 community house is among its victims.

1863. Joint school with Vilars, Saules and Engollon.

1865. The Chaumont forest-use community is dissolved.

1875. Fenin, Vilars and Saules are joined in a single municipalité; the three burgher communes remain separate.

1888. Under the law on communes, the burgher communes merge with the municipalité: the municipality of Fenin-Vilars-Saules is created (407 inhabitants).

1922. Restoration of the church, followed by others in 1940-1941 and 1984.

1985. Modern stained glass by the painter Jean-Paul Perregaux in the church (to be cross-checked).

2012. At the last census before the merger (31 December), the municipality of Fenin-Vilars-Saules has 846 inhabitants.

2013. On 1 January, Fenin-Vilars-Saules and fourteen other municipalities form the municipality of Val-de-Ruz, the largest municipal merger in Switzerland by number of entities (15 municipalities and 9 intermunicipal associations).

Population of Fenin

11 hearths (households)

1531

165

1870

Historic sites in Fenin

Fenin castle. Manor house built in 1561, known as « le château », now a private residence. Rectangular main building flanked by corner turrets; on the first floor, moral quatrains by Pibrac are painted in black letters on the walls (to be cross-checked). Owned by the Meuron family from 1646 to 1820, then by the Pury and Châtelain families.

Saint-Laurent church. Church recorded from 1191, at the edge of the forest, a reminder that the road ran along the foot of Chaumont. Rib-vaulted choir probably rebuilt in the early 16th century, bell tower of 1736, church rebuilt in the 18th century and restored in 1922, 1940-1941 and 1984.

The former community house. Built in 1793 and damaged in the fire of 1860, it has become the « Auberge du Chasseur » restaurant.

Monument to Eulalie Piccard. West of the church, a monument commemorates the writer Eulalie Piccard (1879-1957). Near the church stand trees planted in 1803.

Remains in Fenin

Roman remains and the Vy Marchand. Roman remains have been found at Fenin. The Vy Marchand, an old road at the foot of Chaumont, probably follows a Roman route.

Jean Tribolet's tombstone (1615). Kept in the church, it is notable for its bronze medallion. Jean Tribolet is said to have drowned in the Seyon (to be cross-checked).

The 1643 communion table. Circular stone communion table dated 1643, of a type unique in the canton.

The Gothic stained glass. In the choir, fragments of Gothic stained glass showing Saint Lawrence and Saint William, probably from the first quarter of the 16th century.

The 1526 boundary stone on Chaumont. On Chaumont, a carved boundary stone of 1526 bearing coats of arms, protected by three small stones, was set up during a border demarcation.

Sources

Other villages near Fenin

Missing information, or do you have a source? Suggest a correction or addition. Every submission is checked before it's published.

Suggest a change