Source de l'Areuse

Origin of the name Source de l'Areuse

Name origin: the spring bears the name of the river it feeds, the Areuse, attested as « Orose » in 1107, « Arosa » in 1280 and « La Reuse » in 1595. The sources consulted give no etymology.

Founding of Source de l'Areuse

The spring lies at La Doux, in the territory of the former municipality of Saint-Sulpice, now in the municipality of Val-de-Travers (merger of 1 January 2009). It is a natural site: a Vauclusian spring at 799 m, gushing out at the foot of a rock at the end of the rocky cirque (reculée) of Saint-Sulpice. It is the resurgence of the waters of the La Brévine valley (lac des Taillères) and of the eastern part of the Les Verrières syncline. The river's power was used early: at Saint-Sulpice mills (one of them cited in 1337), a paper mill (1677), an oil mill and a sawmill, later electric works.

History of Source de l'Areuse

1107. First mention of the river, as « Orose ».

1280. The river is called « Arosa ».

1337. A mill is cited at Saint-Sulpice, on the Areuse.

1595. The river is mentioned as « La Reuse ».

1677. A paper mill is attested at Saint-Sulpice.

1886. Two hydroelectric power stations are built near the spring.

1990. On 14 February the Areuse carries more than 50'000 litres of water per second.

1994. Opening of the Écomusée de la Haute-Areuse, an educational trail around the spring.

Historic sites in Source de l'Areuse

The spring at La Doux. Vauclusian resurgence at the foot of a rock, in a reculée. Usually calm, the Areuse becomes a torrent when the snow melts.

Écomusée de la Haute-Areuse. Freely accessible educational trail, opened in 1994, with thirteen stations explaining the industrial and hydroelectric past of the place, in the natural setting of the spring; the walk takes about an hour.

Remains in Source de l'Areuse

The hydroelectric power stations. Two power stations built in 1886 can be visited along the ecomuseum trail, next to the station currently in operation.

Sources

• Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Areuse (rivière) »
• Musées suisses, « Écomusée de la Haute-Areuse »
• Le Temps, randonnée de Noiraigue aux Verrières par Saint-Sulpice
• Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Val-de-Travers (commune) »

Other villages near Source de l'Areuse

• Saint-Sulpice (NE)
• Les Bayards (NE)
• Buttes (NE)
• Fleurier (NE)
• Monlési (NE)