Séprais
Origin of the name Séprais
The name appears in 1260 as « Cesprais », then in 1264 as « Pratum ». Its origin is not explained.[1]
Founding of Séprais
Séprais is a hamlet in the municipality of Boécourt, made up of two groups of farms at the foot of the Rangiers pass. Nobody knows who founded it. Its history is tied to iron: a smelting workshop was operating at Les Boulies in the Merovingian period, and the siderolithic ore deposit south of the village was mined from the early Middle Ages to the 19th century. With Boécourt, Séprais formed the burgher commune of Boécourt-Séprais.[1][2]
History of Séprais
Merovingian period. At Les Boulies an iron-smelting workshop with two bloomery furnaces is in operation.[1]
early Middle Ages-19th century. Mining of the siderolithic ore deposit (pisolites in red clay) south of the village.[1]
1260. First mention: « Cesprais ».[1]
1264. Mention in the form « Pratum ».[1]
17th century-mid-19th century. The iron mines of the Rayon de Séprais concession supply the blast furnaces of the Delémont valley. The Rouge Eau river and the hamlet of Les Lavoirs keep their memory.[1]
1758. Instructions to the communities, including Séprais, for a new Séprais-Bassecourt road serving the forges.[3]
1794. French period: provisional union of Boécourt, Séprais and Montavon into a single municipality, whose seat is fixed at Séprais after an objection.[3]
1854. Montavon separates from the burgher commune of Boécourt-Séprais.[2]
1907. The Bernese government orders the municipality of Boécourt to lay a water main for Montavon and Séprais. The same year Boécourt decides on electric lighting for Boécourt, Séprais and Montavon.[3]
1968. Construction of a new Séprais-Montavon road.[3]
1969. Inauguration of the Séprais-Montavon-Les Rangiers water network.[3]
1993. Creation of La Balade de Séprais, a permanent open-air exhibition of contemporary sculpture.[1]
Population of Séprais
Sources and references: [1]
| 1888 | 142 |
| 1910 | 130 |
| 1960 | 104 |
| 2010 | 63 |
Historic sites in Séprais
La Balade de Séprais. Permanent open-air exhibition of contemporary sculpture, created in 1993.[1]
Rouge Eau and the hamlet of Les Lavoirs. The Rouge Eau river and the hamlet of Les Lavoirs recall the iron mines that supplied the blast furnaces of the Delémont valley.[1]
Remains in Séprais
Bloomery furnaces of Les Boulies. Iron-smelting workshop with two bloomery furnaces, dated to the Merovingian period.[1]
Siderolithic ore deposit. Iron ore deposit (pisolites in red clay) south of the village, mined from the early Middle Ages to the 19th century.[1]
Sources
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Séprais » (François Kohler)
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Montavon » (François Kohler)
- Chronologie jurassienne, « Montavon (Boécourt) » (entrées concernant Séprais)
- Statistique Jura, tableau JU-T.01.01.03, population résidante permanente au 31 décembre 2025
- geo.admin.ch (swisstopo), recherche de lieux « Séprais »
Other villages near Séprais
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