La Sagne
Origin of the name La Sagne
First written mention in 1332, in the form « la Sagne ». The regional word « sagne » refers to an area of marshy ground, often worked for peat; it comes from a Gaulish term meaning « marshy ground ». The link with the marshes of the valley is likely (to be cross-checked).
Founding of La Sagne
No founder or founding act is known. Land clearance certainly began in the 11th or 12th century, but La Sagne is only mentioned in 1332, when Jean I d'Aarberg, lord of Valangin, refers to the francs-habergeants of Le Locle and La Sagne. Jean II d'Aarberg granted them franchises improving their condition in 1363, then in 1372, and delimited a territory called the Clos de la franchise. La Sagne formed a mairie from the 14th century to 1848.
History of La Sagne
11th-12th century. Probable start of land clearance in the valley.
1332. First mention: Jean I d'Aarberg, lord of Valangin, refers to the francs-habergeants of Le Locle and La Sagne.
1351. Mention of a chapel of Saint Catherine, a daughter chapel of Le Locle.
1363. Jean II d'Aarberg grants the inhabitants franchises improving their condition.
1372. New franchises and delimitation of the territory called the Clos de la franchise.
14th century. A first water mill is recorded; La Sagne becomes the seat of a mairie, which lasts until 1848.
1499. Establishment of the parish of La Sagne.
1502. Many families of La Sagne acquire the burghership of Valangin.
1521-1526. Construction of the present church, dated 1521 and 1526.
1659. From this date, new arable land is reclaimed from the marshes.
18th century. The inhabitants work in lacemaking, then in watchmaking.
19th century. Growth of cattle breeding, cheesemaking, the timber trade and peat extraction.
1848. End of the mairie of La Sagne.
1856. The royalist uprising starts from La Sagne.
1880. Founding of a history museum.
1889. Opening of the Les Ponts-de-Martel - La Sagne - La Chaux-de-Fonds railway line.
1950. Electrification of the railway line.
1982. Reopening of the history museum.
2005. The primary sector still provides 32 % of jobs.
Population of La Sagne
| 1750 | 1'195 |
| 1850 | 1'800 |
| 1900 | 1'565 |
| 1950 | 1'057 |
| 2000 | 997 |
| 2025 | 1'089 (31 December) |
Historic sites in La Sagne
Church of La Sagne. Church dated 1521 and 1526, built after the parish was established in 1499. It succeeded the chapel of Saint Catherine, a daughter chapel of Le Locle mentioned from 1351.
History museum. Museum founded in 1880 and reopened in 1982.
The street village. Extended street village in the eastern part of the valley of La Sagne and Les Ponts-de-Martel, including Les Cœudres, Le Crêt, Miéville, La Sagne-Église and La Corbatière.
The marshes of the valley. From 1659, new arable land is reclaimed from the marshes; in the 19th century, peat is extracted there.
Sources
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « La Sagne »
- La langue française, « Sagne » (définition et étymologie)
- État de Neuchâtel, arrêté du 4 février 2026 homologuant le recensement cantonal de la population au 31 décembre 2025
Localities of the municipality with a page
Other villages near La Sagne
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