Lugnez
Origin of the name Lugnez
First recorded in the 6th century as « Lugduniaco », then as « Lunigie » in 1225. The etymology of the name is unexplained.[1]
Founding of Lugnez
Neither the founder nor the date of creation of Lugnez is known. The area was occupied in Roman times, as shown by a villa discovered north-east of the village near the Saint-Imier chapel, and the place is recorded from the 6th century. In the Middle Ages Lugnez shared the uncertain fate of the advocacy of Ajoie, incorporated into the Prince-Bishopric of Basel at the end of the 13th century. The abbey of Bellelay and the chapter of Moutier-Grandval held manorial estates (colonges) there. Spread along both banks of the Cœuvatte, the village merged physically with Damphreux in the 19th century and is now part of the municipality of Damphreux-Lugnez (merger of 1 January 2023).[1][3]
History of Lugnez
Roman period. A Roman villa stands north-east of the present village, near the site of the Saint-Imier chapel.[1]
6th century. First mention: « Lugduniaco ».[1]
1225. Recorded as « Lunigie ».[1]
Late 13th century. Lugnez, following the fate of the advocacy of Ajoie, is incorporated into the Prince-Bishopric of Basel.[1]
Middle Ages. The abbey of Bellelay and the chapter of Moutier-Grandval hold manorial estates (colonges) at Lugnez.[1]
Ancien Régime. The municipality belongs to the great mairie of Cœuve.[1]
1618-1648. The Saint-Imier pilgrimage chapel is ransacked during the Thirty Years' War.[1]
1700. The Saint-Imier chapel is altered.[1]
1793-1814. Lugnez is attached to the French departments of Mont-Terrible, then Haut-Rhin.[1]
1815-1978. The village is part of the canton of Bern (bailiwick, then district of Porrentruy).[1]
1830. The chapel is altered again.[1]
1836. Lugnez becomes a mixed municipality.[1]
19th century. The village, on both banks of the Cœuvatte, grows into Damphreux.[1]
1873. Third alteration of the Saint-Imier chapel.[1]
1969-1970. Renovation of the Saint-Imier chapel.[1]
2023. Merger with Damphreux on 1 January: creation of the municipality of Damphreux-Lugnez.[1][3]
Population of Lugnez
Sources and references: [1]
| 1818 | 235 |
| 1850 | 292 |
| 1860 | 308 |
| 1900 | 273 |
| 1950 | 275 |
| 1980 | 207 |
| 2000 | 227 |
| 2010 | 203 |
| 2020 | 185 |
| 2022 | 183 |
Historic sites in Lugnez
Saint-Imier chapel. Pilgrimage chapel dedicated to Saint Imier, ransacked during the Thirty Years' War, altered in 1700, 1830 and 1873, then renovated in 1969-1970.[1]
Remains in Lugnez
Roman villa. Remains of a Roman villa have been discovered north-east of the village, near the Saint-Imier chapel. The site (Saint-Imier, Gallo-Roman villa) is a cultural property of regional significance.[1][5]
Legends of Lugnez
Saint Imier, a son of Lugnez. According to tradition, Saint Imier was born at Lugnez. His Vita, whose authenticity is disputed, makes him a nobleman of Lugnez who, after a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, withdrew as a hermit to the Suze valley around the end of the 6th or beginning of the 7th century and spread the cult of Saint Martin there. A « cella sancti Himerii » is mentioned there in 884. His feast day is 12 November.[1][2]
Sources
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Lugnez » (Dominique Prongué), version du 09.08.2023
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Imier (saint) » (Romain Jurot)
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Damphreux-Lugnez »
- République et Canton du Jura, Parlement, arrêté portant approbation de la fusion entre la commune mixte de Damphreux et la commune mixte de Lugnez (27 avril 2022, RSJU 190.31)
- Office fédéral de la protection de la population (OFPP), Inventaire PBC, liste cantonale du canton du Jura (état au 1.1.2026)
- geo.admin.ch (swisstopo), recherche de lieux « Lugnez »
Other villages near Lugnez
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