Le Largin
Origin of the name Le Largin
The etymology of « Largin » remains unexplained.
Founding of Le Largin
Le Largin is a narrow Swiss tongue of land, about 400 m wide and 800 m long, that juts into Alsatian territory north-east of Bonfol, along the Largue. Its place in history comes from this position: after Germany annexed Alsace, a boundary stone there marked the meeting point of the borders of France, Germany and Switzerland, and in autumn 1914 the French anchored the start of the front on the Swiss border there. The Swiss army held a forward post there throughout the war, in direct contact with both belligerents. The site belongs to the former municipality of Bonfol, now in the municipality of Basse-Vendline (merger of 1 January 2024).[2][5]
History of Le Largin
1834. On 14 October, prefect Xavier Stockmar reports illegal buildings at Le Largin and the risk of an unauthorised hamlet forming there.[1]
1835. On 21 June, the Bonfol communal assembly orders the demolition of the illegal houses at Le Largin.[1]
1871. After Germany annexes Alsace, Le Largin becomes the meeting point of the French, German and Swiss borders.[6]
1914. In autumn, the Franco-German front begins at the Swiss border at Le Largin. From August to October, the Swiss post at Le Largin is a key point, visited by General Ulrich Wille.[2][5]
1916. On 1 August, the national day is celebrated at the Le Largin post. Around Christmas, Swiss, German and French soldiers are said to have shared a meal on Swiss soil, which is not confirmed.[1]
1917. On 14 February, a German deserter is arrested at Le Largin.[1]
1918. On 11 February, Georges Clemenceau, head of the French government, visits the French posts at Le Largin.[1]
1937. On 31 August, a fire breaks out at the Le Largin farm.[1]
1950. On 29 April, the Bonfol communal assembly votes 34'000 francs to renovate the old Le Largin road.[1]
2008. The association « Les Amis du Km 0 » is founded at Pfetterhouse to keep alive the memory of the southern end of the Western Front.[1]
2012. In November, a Swiss army engineer detachment rebuilds the northern observation post at Le Largin.[1]
2013. On 14 and 15 September, the restored observation post is inaugurated.[1]
2014. On 20 July, a commemoration marks the inauguration of the Km 0 site at Le Largin. The Km 0 circuit is officially inaugurated on 1 August.[1]
Historic sites in Le Largin
Le Largin observation post. Swiss post used to watch the movements of the French and German armies. Rebuilt by the army in 2012 and inaugurated in 2013.[1][6]
Kilometre zero boundary stone. Boundary stone that from 1871 to 1919 marked the meeting of the French, German and Swiss borders, and in 1914 became the starting point of the Western Front.[5]
Km 0 circuit. Waymarked 7.5 km trail between Pfetterhouse, Moos and Bonfol, past the remains of the French, Swiss and German fronts.[5]
Remains in Le Largin
First World War structures. Along the Km 0 circuit, concrete structures of the French, Swiss and German lines survive, restored by the association Les Amis du Km 0.[5]
Sources
- Denis Moine, Chronologie jurassienne, « Largin Bonfol »
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Bonfol » (Dominique Prongué), version du 26.05.2020
- Les Amis du Km Zéro, « L'Écho du Km 0 », n° 4, juillet 2010
- Les Amis du Km Zéro, « L'Écho du Km 0 », septembre 2013
- Office de tourisme du Sundgau, « Circuit du Km 0 Pfetterhouse-Moos-Bonfol »
- TracesOfWar, « Observation Post Largin »
- Statistique Jura, tableau JU-T.01.01.03, population résidante permanente au 31 décembre 2025
- geo.admin.ch (swisstopo), recherche de lieux et limites communales historiques
Other villages near Le Largin
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