Les Forges
Origin of the name Les Forges
The name refers to the former ironworks: the mine and foundry of Undervelier, brought back into operation in 1599 by the Prince-Bishop of Basel, were « appelées les Forges » (called the Forges). It appears again in 1841 in the name of the « Société des Forges d'Undervelier et Dépendances ».[1]
Founding of Les Forges
The hamlet was born of the iron industry. Having lost his rights in Basel, Prince-Bishop Jacques-Christophe Blarer de Wartensee had received the Laufonnais and the valleys around Delémont as compensation. To limit the principality's debt, he brought several mines and foundries back into operation, among them the one at Undervelier. A large building for the central administration and a residence for the Prince-Bishop's visits were put up at once. The site occupies a widening of the Sorne gorge, roughly halfway between Undervelier and Berlincourt, on a flat valley floor lined with wooded cliffs. It belonged to the municipality of Undervelier, part of Haute-Sorne since 2013.[1][2]
History of Les Forges
1599. The Prince-Bishop of Basel Jacques-Christophe Blarer de Wartensee brings the Undervelier mine and foundry back into operation: Les Forges is born.[1][2]
1600. A large building for the central administration and a residence for the Prince-Bishop's visits are built.[1]
Thirty Years' War. The ironworks are closed.[1]
1653. The ironworks reopen.[1]
18th century. The manor house is built (1780s) and the installations are developed.[1]
1793. Les Forges pass into private hands. They then comprise a blast furnace, a finery and a tilt hammer.[1][2]
1821. The installations are extended: forge furnace, large hammer and tinsmith's workshop.[1]
1841. The « Société des Forges d'Undervelier et Dépendances » is founded.[1]
1871-1873. The Siegfried map shows the industrial canal of Les Forges.[1]
1879. The Louis von Roll company buys the whole complex.[1]
1880. Von Roll stops production and demolishes the workshops.[1][2]
After 1880. Von Roll briefly sets up a workshop making rifle stocks for the Swiss army. The buildings then serve as a holiday camp for its apprentices and are later sold to a joiner from the village.[1]
Historic sites in Les Forges
Manor house. Built in the 1780s on a square plan over two storeys, with a broken hipped roof, a double-flight outside staircase and quoins. It is said to have served as a pied-à-terre for the Bishop of Basel.[1]
17th-century farmhouse. Long building parallel to the road combining dwelling and barn, with a gable roof, windows framed in white limestone and a large round-arched carriage door.[1]
Workers' housing and fountain. Three-storey workers' housing block with a half-hipped roof and five window bays. In front of the buildings, a Louis XVI fountain with a sphere-topped column and an oval basin.[1]
ISOS site. The hamlet is part of the Federal Inventory of Swiss Heritage Sites (ISOS), entry « Cluses d'Undervelier ».[1]
Remains in Les Forges
Workshop and canal. The ironworking installations (blast furnace, finery, tilt hammer) have disappeared. A large, much altered workshop is the only remnant of the original industrial activity. The canal, visible on the Siegfried map of 1871-1873, has lost its industrial function.[1]
Sources
- Inventaire fédéral des sites construits (ISOS), « Cluses d'Undervelier »
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Undervelier »
- Statistique Jura, tableau JU-T.01.01.03, population résidante permanente au 31 décembre 2025
- Office fédéral de topographie swisstopo, map.geo.admin.ch
Other villages near Les Forges
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