Villars-sur-Fontenais
Origin of the name Villars-sur-Fontenais
The oldest known mention reportedly dates from 1255, in a land exchange that concerns Villars among other places. The form of the name used there is not known. Where does the name come from? That is still unknown.[2]
Founding of Villars-sur-Fontenais
The hamlet, south of Fontenais, shares its neighbour's history in the lordship of Ajoie. In the 18th century it is cited as a community alongside Fontenais, but the two places together form the parish and municipality often called Fontenais-Villars. Villars is now part of the municipality of Fontenais. Who founded Villars is not known.[1][2]
History of Villars-sur-Fontenais
1255. On 18 July, Rodolphe d'Asuel and Bellelay Abbey exchange land at Boécourt for property at Fontenais and Villars. It is not certain that this Villars is the hamlet.[2]
1386. On 5 July, Prince-Bishop Imier de Ramstein sells the town of Porrentruy and several Ajoie villages, including Bressaucourt, Villars and Fontenais, to the counts of Montbéliard.[2]
1731. On 13 August, report by the clerk of Porrentruy on abuses at Fontenais-Villars.[2]
1761. On 16 March, an act limits the rights of the town of Porrentruy in the forests of several villages, including Villars.[2]
1766. On 12 February, dispute between Fontenais and Villars over pastures and municipal charges.[2]
1771. On 9 April, regulation of the parish dues of Fontenais-Villars.[2]
1793. On 13 and 14 September, the directorate of the Mont-Terrible department orders the municipality of Fontenais to recover, on pain of a 10'000-livre fine, the bells removed from the chapels of Villars and Sainte-Croix.[2]
1836. On 22 February, purchase of a building in Villars to provide two separate schools.[2]
1859. On 6 March, the municipal assembly decides to build a fountain in Villars.[2]
1878. New cantonal road Porrentruy-Fontenais-Villars.[2]
1905. On 13 February, the Bernese Grand Council votes 25'500 francs for the Villars-Montancy road.[2]
1962. After a restoration decided in January, the Villars chapel is blessed on 28 October.[2]
1966. On 25 June, the new Villars school is inaugurated.[2]
Historic sites in Villars-sur-Fontenais
Villars chapel. Chapel whose bells were removed in 1793, during the Revolution. Restored and blessed in 1962.[2]
Villars school. A school in Villars is attested from the 19th century. A new school was built and inaugurated in 1966.[2]
Sources
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Fontenais » (Dominique Prongué), version du 04.06.2020
- Denis Moine, Chronologie jurassienne, « Fontenais »
- Statistique Jura, tableau JU-T.01.01.03, population résidante permanente au 31 décembre 2025
- geo.admin.ch (swisstopo), recherche de lieux « Villars-sur-Fontenais »
Other villages near Villars-sur-Fontenais
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