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Laténa

Merger 2025 Canton of Neuchâtel · Region: Littoral · 11'742 inhabitants (31.12.2025)
Origin of the name Founding Historical timeline Population over time Must-see historical sites Sources and references Nearby villages

Origin of the name Laténa

Laténa is a new name, borne by the commune since 1 January 2025. Its form recalls La Tène, one of the four communes that merged. Why it was chosen is not known. The place called La Tène, near the mouth of the Thielle, is known worldwide for its archaeological site.[1][9]

Founding of Laténa

Laténa was formed by the merger of Enges, Hauterive, La Tène and Saint-Blaise. A steering committee of representatives from the four communes weighed the advantages and drawbacks, which were then debated at public meetings. On 26 November 2023 more than 72 % of voters accept the project. The new commune comes into force on 1 January 2025, leaving the canton of Neuchâtel with only 24 communes. The territory runs along the north shore of Lake Neuchâtel, from the foot of Chaumont, where Saint-Blaise stands, to the mouth of the Thielle. Under the Ancien Régime, Saint-Blaise, Hauterive and Voëns belonged to the castellany of Thielle, whose courts sat at Saint-Blaise. They also belonged to the parish of Saint-Blaise, to which Marin was attached until 1978. The upper part of Hauterive came under the Premonstratensian abbey of Fontaine-André.[1][3][4][6][7][8][9]

History of Laténa

1011. Rudolph III, king of Burgundy, gives the estate of « Arins », today's Saint-Blaise, to his wife Irmengard.[6]

1143. Voëns appears as « Win ». Around the same date Hauterive is recorded as « arta ripa », and its upper part passes to the abbey of Fontaine-André.[7][8]

1191. The abbey of Fontaine-André grants the right to build a mill on the Ruau at Saint-Blaise.[6]

1531. The parish of Saint-Blaise adopts the Reformation.[6]

1848. Hauterive leaves the castellany of Thielle for the district of Neuchâtel.[7]

1857. In November the fisherman Hans Kopp, collecting objects for Friedrich Schwab, identifies the site of La Tène.[9]

1888. Voëns-Maley is merged into Saint-Blaise.[6][8]

1907. An official commission resumes the excavations at La Tène until 1917, led by William Wavre and, from 1909, by Paul Vouga.[9]

2009. Marin-Epagnier and Thielle-Wavre merge on 1 January to form the municipality of La Tène.[10]

2019. Talks begin between the authorities of the four communes.[1]

2023. The four executives approve the merger agreement on 8 May.[1][2]

2023. In June the four general councils accept the agreement: unanimously in Enges and Hauterive, 23 yes to 2 no in Saint-Blaise, 33 yes to 1 no in La Tène. The "Laténa OUI !" campaign is launched the same month.[1][2]

2023. Popular vote of 26 November: the project passes with more than 72 % yes.[1][3]

2025. The new commune comes into force on 1 January.[1][3][4]

Population of Laténa

Sources and references: [5][14]

Population of Laténa
202511'742

Historic sites in Laténa

La Tène site. Near the mouth of the Thielle. Over 4'500 objects, mostly iron weapons and tools, have been recovered here, most from the Middle La Tène period. Specialists see it as a sanctuary where deliberately damaged weapons were placed in the river. It is a cultural property of national importance.[9][13]

Laténium. In Hauterive, on the lakeshore. Opened in 2001 on the Champréveyres excavation site, the archaeology park and museum holds, with the Musée Schwab in Biel, the main collections from La Tène.[7][9][11][13]

Préfargier mental hospital. In Marin. Funded by Auguste-Frédéric de Meuron, it admitted its first patient on 2 January 1849. The neoclassical building in yellow Hauterive stone and its park sloping down to the lake are a cultural property of national importance.[12][13]

Communal administration. The chancellery and main counter are at Grand'Rue 35 in Saint-Blaise. Local service points are open in Enges, Hauterive and Marin-Epagnier.[1]

Sources

  1. Commune de Laténa, « La fusion »
  2. RTN, « Ils ont dit oui à Laténa » (juin 2023)
  3. Canal Alpha, « Laténa verra le jour, la fusion est acceptée » (26 novembre 2023)
  4. Etat de Neuchâtel, rapport du Conseil d'Etat au Grand Conseil 26.019, « Révision totale de la loi sur les communes » (31 août 2026)
  5. Etat de Neuchâtel, Conseil d'Etat, « Arrêté portant homologation des résultats du recensement cantonal de la population du 31 décembre 2025 » (4 février 2026)
  6. Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Saint-Blaise (NE) » (Olivier Girardbille, version du 29.05.2012)
  7. Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Hauterive (NE) » (Hervé Miéville, Germain Hausmann, version du 20.05.2008)
  8. Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Voëns-Maley » (Olivier Girardbille, version du 26.03.2013)
  9. Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Tène, La (site archéologique) » (Gilbert Kaenel, version du 19.02.2014)
  10. Office fédéral de topographie, « Changement de nom de communes dans le canton de Neuchâtel » (Feuille fédérale, 24 décembre 2008)
  11. Musées suisses, « Laténium, Parc et Musée d'archéologie de Neuchâtel »
  12. Fondation de Préfargier, « La Maison de santé de 1849 à aujourd'hui »
  13. Office fédéral de la protection de la population, Inventaire PBC, liste du canton de Neuchâtel (état au 1.1.2026)
  14. Etat de Neuchâtel, Conseil d'Etat, « Arrêté portant homologation des résultats du recensement cantonal de la population du 31 décembre 2024 » (5 février 2025)

Localities of the municipality with a page

Other villages near Laténa

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