Provence
Origin of the name Provence
First mentioned in 1340 in the form «Provency», then «Provincia» in 1359 and «Provenica» in 1403 (forms to be cross-checked). The name probably derives from the Latin «proventus» (harvest, yield) (to be cross-checked).
Founding of Provence
None of the sources consulted names a founder of the village. Early occupation is indicated by traces of iron smelting dated to the 4th-6th centuries (to be cross-checked). In the Middle Ages the locality belonged partly to the county of Neuchâtel before being incorporated into the lordship of Grandson; in 1340 two thirds of the village belonged to the lordship of Grandson and one third to the counts of Neuchâtel (division to be cross-checked). The municipality, bordering the Val-de-Travers, comprises the village, the hamlet of Les Prises, the Montagne Devant and the territory of the Nouvelle Censière. Long attached to the Neuchâtel parish of Saint-Aubin, it became a Vaud parish only in 1848.
History of Provence
4th-6th centuries. Traces of iron smelting attest early occupation of the territory (to be cross-checked).
1180. A religious building is mentioned at Provence (to be cross-checked).
1340. First mention, in the form «Provency». The locality then belongs partly to the county of Neuchâtel and partly to the lordship of Grandson.
before 1400. The whole village passes to the lords of Grandson (to be cross-checked).
1453. Mention of the chapel of Saint-Georges.
1476. After the Burgundian Wars, the Grandson area becomes a bailiwick shared by Bern and Fribourg.
1484-1798. Provence forms a métralie with Mutrux.
1540. A fire destroys 64 houses in the village.
1605. Georges Driol, owner of the house that later became the parsonage, is sentenced to death (to be cross-checked).
1631. A new disaster makes a complete rebuilding of the church necessary.
1706. Construction of the present church and parsonage.
1798. Provence is assigned to the district of Grandson, to which it belongs until 2006.
1847. Half of the village is destroyed by fire.
1848. Until then attached to the Neuchâtel parish of Saint-Aubin, Provence becomes a Vaud parish together with Mutrux.
19th century. Lace-making and watchmaking employ part of the population.
1883. A cheese dairy opens, followed by a dairy in 1904.
1905. Major renovation of the church.
1915. Birth in Provence of Roger Schutz, the future Brother Roger, founder of the Taizé community, who spends his childhood in the parsonage where his father is pastor.
1966. The Les Rochat military firing range is set up.
1970. Closure of the intercantonal school of the Nouvelle Censière.
2006-2008. Reform of the Vaud districts: the district of Grandson is dissolved and Provence joins the district of Jura-Nord vaudois.
Population of Provence
| 1803 | 811 |
| 1850 | 956 |
| 1893 | 1'000 (over) |
| 1900 | 815 |
| 1950 | 447 |
| 1980 | 300 |
| 2000 | 368 |
| 2020 | 392 |
| 2025 | 421 |
Historic sites in Provence
Church and parsonage. Preceded by the chapel of Saint-Georges, mentioned from 1453, and by a church rebuilt after the disaster of 1631, the present church and parsonage date from 1706; the church was renovated in 1905. Roger Schutz, the future Brother Roger of Taizé, spent his childhood in the parsonage where his father was pastor.
Village of Provence. The entire village is listed in the Federal Inventory of Swiss Heritage Sites of national importance (ISOS).
La Redalle alpine chalet. Located in the municipality's vast mountain territory, this alpine chalet is listed as a cultural property of national significance.
La Nouvelle Censière. Part of the municipality near the Neuchâtel border, where an intercantonal school operated until 1970.
Remains in Provence
Traces of early iron-working. Remains of iron production dated to the 4th-6th centuries are said to attest early occupation of the territory (to be cross-checked).
Sources
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Provence »
- Feuille des avis officiels du canton de Vaud, « Alphabet des communes vaudoises : Provence »
- Wikipédia, « Provence (Vaud) »
- Wikipedia (de), « Provence VD »
- Wikipedia (en), « Provence, Switzerland »
- Wikipédia, « Roger Schutz »
- Statistique Vaud, « Population résidante permanente au 31 décembre 2025 »
Other villages near Provence
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