Les Cerlatez
Origin of the name Les Cerlatez
The name Les Cerlatez, already used in 1782 for a planned parish, has received no explanation.[6]
Founding of Les Cerlatez
The hamlet of Les Cerlatez, in the municipality of Saignelégier, lies on the edge of the Étang de la Gruère nature reserve. When it took shape is not known. In 1782 a plan made it the centre of a parish that would also have taken in the hamlets of Les Rouges-Terres, Les Ecarres and Chaumont. The hamlet had its own school. In 1992 the Fondation Les Cerlatez was set up on the initiative of Pro Natura Switzerland, Pro Natura Jura section, the Naturalistes francs-montagnards and the municipality of Saignelégier. That same year it bought the former school building from the municipality to house a centre devoted to wetlands and peat bogs.[1][2][6]
History of Les Cerlatez
1782. A plan provides for a parish of Les Cerlatez, with the hamlets of Les Rouges-Terres, Les Ecarres and Chaumont.[6]
1783. On 16 June Prince-Bishop Joseph-Sigismond de Roggenbach divides the parish of Saignelégier and reportedly creates a new parish at Les Cerlatez.[6]
1874-1878. Saignelégier has the Les Cerlatez school built, with a Bernese grant of 1'280 francs awarded in 1874.[6]
1902. On 25 May the hamlet's inn burns down.[6]
1909. The Bernese Grand Council votes a credit of 350'000 francs for the road from Saignelégier to Les Cerlatez.[6]
1936. The municipal assembly of Saignelégier abolishes one class of the Les Cerlatez school.[6]
1947-1948. The farmers of Les Cerlatez, La Theurre and Chaumont protest against a plan for a military training ground. In 1948 the women of Les Cerlatez drive out the experts sent to list the farms to be destroyed for the artillery range.[6]
1950. On 3 April the municipal assembly votes 49'000 francs to restore the school.[6]
1975. On 29 August the post office closes.[6]
1991. The Les Cerlatez school closes.[6]
1992. On 14 January, creation of the Fondation Les Cerlatez by Pro Natura Switzerland, Pro Natura Jura section, the Naturalistes francs-montagnards and the municipality of Saignelégier.[1][6]
1992. The Foundation buys the former school building of the hamlet of Les Cerlatez from the municipality of Saignelégier.[1]
1993. Opening of the Centre Nature Les Cerlatez: exhibitions, guided tours and scientific activities on wetlands and peat bogs.[1][2]
2007. On 16 and 17 June, first Peat Festival (Fête de la tourbe).[6]
2011. On 8 July, opening of the Centre Nature's documentation centre.[6]
2020. The Centre Nature is integrated into the Doubs Regional Nature Park. The Foundation remains the owner of the building.[1]
Historic sites in Les Cerlatez
Centre Nature Les Cerlatez. Housed in the hamlet's former school, built between 1874 and 1878 and closed in 1991, bought in 1992 and opened as a centre in 1993. It is devoted to environmental education, especially about peat bogs.[1][2][6]
Étang de la Gruère nature reserve. Nature reserve next to the hamlet, which the Centre Nature presents to the public and to schools.[1][2]
Sources
- Centre Nature Les Cerlatez, « Le Conseil de Fondation »
- Musées suisses (museums.ch), « Centre nature Les Cerlatez »
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Saignelégier » (François Kohler), version du 11.12.2020
- Statistique Jura, tableau JU-T.01.01.03, population résidante permanente au 31 décembre 2025
- geo.admin.ch (swisstopo), recherche de lieux « Les Cerlatez »
- Chronologie jurassienne (Denis Moine), « Cerlatez, Saignelégier »
Other villages near Les Cerlatez
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