Voëns
Origin of the name Voëns
Name origin: the place is mentioned in 1143 in the form « Win », then in 1185 in the forms « Weins » and « Vohens ». The origin of the name is not explained by the sources consulted.
Founding of Voëns
Voëns is a hamlet north of Saint-Blaise, today in the municipality of Laténa. It lay on the Roman road known as the Vy d'Etra. No founder is known. In the 12th and 13th centuries, Voëns was allodial land of the Abbey of Saint-Jean de Cerlier. The community, established in 1377, belonged to the parish of Saint-Blaise and to the castellany of Thielle. At the end of the 16th century the hamlet of Maley was attached to it, forming the municipality of Voëns-Maley, which was united with Saint-Blaise in 1888. Since 1 January 2025, Voëns has been part of the municipality of Laténa.
History of Voëns
Roman period. Voëns lies on the Roman road of the Vy d'Etra.
1143. First mention in the form « Win »; the neighbouring Vilaret estate appears the same year in the form « de Vilario ».
1185. The place is recorded in the forms « Weins » and « Vohens ».
12th-13th century. Voëns is allodial land of the Abbey of Saint-Jean de Cerlier.
1377. The community of Voëns is established; it belongs to the parish of Saint-Blaise and to the castellany of Thielle.
1523. The hamlet of Maley, then in the municipality of Cornaux, is mentioned in the form « le Malet ».
Late 16th century. The hamlet of Maley is attached to the municipality of Voëns.
1664. Voëns becomes a summer retreat for patrician families of Neuchâtel.
18th century. The Vilaret estate, which had been part of Voëns, is detached from it.
1888. The former municipality of Voëns-Maley is united with the municipality of Saint-Blaise.
1962. A gravel pit opens at Maley.
1975. A golf course is laid out at Voëns.
1 January 2025. The merger of Enges, Hauterive, La Tène and Saint-Blaise (approved on 26 November 2023) takes effect: Voëns is part of the municipality of Laténa.
Population of Voëns
| 1750 | 45 inhabitants (former municipality of Voëns-Maley) |
| 1850 | 42 inhabitants (former municipality of Voëns-Maley) |
| 1870 | 56 inhabitants (former municipality of Voëns-Maley) |
Historic sites in Voëns
Vy d'Etra. Old Roman road on which Voëns lay.
Hamlet of Maley. Hamlet mentioned in 1523 (« le Malet »), first in the municipality of Cornaux, attached to Voëns at the end of the 16th century; farming continues there and a gravel pit has been worked since 1962.
Vilaret estate. Estate recorded in 1143 (« de Vilario »), part of Voëns until the 18th century.
Voëns golf course. Golf course laid out at Voëns in 1975, alongside farming that is still present.
Sources
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Voëns-Maley » (Olivier Girardbille)
- Commune de Laténa, « Fusion »
- État de Neuchâtel, arrêté du 4 février 2026 homologuant le recensement cantonal de la population au 31 décembre 2025
- geo.admin.ch, service de recherche de lieux (swisstopo)
Other villages near Voëns
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