Vellerat

Origin of the name Vellerat

Name origin: the first known mention reportedly dates from 1741, as « Vellerat » (to be cross-checked). The etymology of the name is not explained in the sources consulted.

Founding of Vellerat

The sources consulted do not say when or by whom the village was founded. Located above the Choindez gorge, Vellerat belonged until 1797 to the provostship of Moutier-Grandval, in the Prince-Bishopric of Basel. After the French period, it belonged to the canton of Bern from 1815 to 1996. French-speaking and in favour of the new canton, it remained Bernese after the plebiscites of the 1970s; after twenty years of struggle, its transfer to the canton of Jura was approved by the Swiss people in 1996. Vellerat is now part of the municipality of Courrendlin (merger of 1 January 2019).

History of Vellerat

1741. First known mention: « Vellerat » (to be cross-checked).

Until 1797. Vellerat belongs to the provostship of Moutier-Grandval, in the Prince-Bishopric of Basel.

1798-1813. French period: departments of Mont-Terrible, then Haut-Rhin.

1815. Joins the canton of Bern.

1888. Construction of the chapel of the Holy Family.

1961. Remodelling of the chapel by Jeanne Bueche.

1974. In the plebiscite of 23 June 1974, the municipality votes clearly for the creation of a canton of Jura.

1975. A new vote in favour of Jura on 16 March 1975, but Vellerat is not allowed to take part in the third plebiscite and remains Bernese.

1982. The municipal assembly votes by a large majority to suspend administrative ties with the canton of Bern: Vellerat proclaims itself a « commune libre »; taxes are paid into a blocked account. Proclamation dated 14 August 1982 and about 700 passports issued according to the press of the time (to be cross-checked).

1995. The canton of Bern approves the transfer on 12 March 1995 (85 % yes), the people of Jura by 92 % and the inhabitants of Vellerat unanimously on 18 June 1995.

1996. On 10 March, the Swiss people approve the transfer of Vellerat to the canton of Jura with 91.6 % yes; the change of canton takes effect on 1 July 1996.

2019. On 1 January, Vellerat merges with Rebeuvelier into the municipality of Courrendlin.

Population of Vellerat

Population of Vellerat

1818	83
1850	88
1880	69
1900	115
1950	124
1970	64
2000	66
2010	73
2018	71

Historic sites in Vellerat

Chapel of the Holy Family. Chapel built in 1888 and remodelled in 1961 by Jeanne Bueche. Vellerat belongs to the parish of Courrendlin.

Choindez gorge. The village overlooks the Choindez gorge. In the 19th and 20th centuries, most of Vellerat's population worked outside the village, mainly at the Choindez foundry.

Sources

• Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Vellerat » (version allemande)
• Année politique suisse, dossier « Vellerat und Ederswiler »
• The Christian Science Monitor, « Alpine village (population 58) goes independent », 30.08.1982

Other villages near Vellerat

• Courrendlin (JU)
• Châtillon (JU)
• Rebeuvelier (JU)
• Rossemaison (JU)
• Courroux (JU)