Fenin-Vilars-Saules

Fenin- Vilars -Saules was a municipality in the district of Val -de- Ruz in the canton of Neuchâtel in Switzerland. On January 1, 2013, it merged with the municipalities Boudevilliers, Cernier, Chézard -Saint- Martin, Coffrane, Dombresson, Engollon, Fontainemelon, Fontaines, Les Geneveys -sur- Coffrane, Les Hauts- Geneveys Montmollin, Le Pâquier, Savagnier and Villiers the new municipality of Val -de- Ruz.

Geography

Fenin- Vilars -Saules is located 5 km north of the capital of the canton of Neuchâtel (air line). The three farming villages extend the southeastern Val de Ruz in the Neuchâtel Jura, on the northwest slope of Chaumont, above the stream Seyon.

The area of ​​6.5 km ² large municipality area includes a small section in the southeast part of the valley of the Val de Ruz. The municipality extends from the bottom run of the Seyon to the southeast across the open slope, on which lie the villages and up to the anticline of Chaumont. On the crest of Chaumont, whose slopes are densely forested, located at 1,151 meters above sea level. M. the highest point of the municipality. From the municipality surface 1997 6 % came from settlements, 50 % of forest and woody plants and 44% to agriculture.

Fenin- Vilars -Saules consists of the three villages Fenin ( 756 m above sea level. M. ), Vilar ( 746 m above sea level. M. ) and Saules ( 800 m above sea level. M. ) and some single farms. Neighboring communities of Fenin- Vilars -Saules are Valanginian, Fontaines, Engollon, Savagnier and Neuchâtel.

Population

With 845 inhabitants ( 31 December 2012) Fenin- Vilars -Saules one of the smaller municipalities in the canton of Neuchâtel. Of the 93.2 % inhabitants are French-speaking, German-speaking 3.5 % and 0.9 % in English (as of 2000). Fenin- Vilars -Saules had 1900 420 inhabitants; the population dropped to 1950 to 260 inhabitants, but has since been a clear upward trend.

Economy

Fenin- Vilars -Saules was until the mid 20th century a mainly dominated by the agriculture community. In recent decades, Fenin- Vilars -Saules has developed into the residential community. In Fenin there is an operation in the watch industry and timber trade. But many of the working commuters and work mainly in Neuchâtel.

Traffic

The community is located off the major thoroughfares on the main road from Neuenburg to Dombresson. The three villages Fenin, Vilar and Saules are connected by a bus line that runs from Neuchâtel via Savagnier after Cernier to the network of public transport.

History

The municipal area to Fenin- Vilars -Saules was committed already in Roman times. The Vy Marchand, a road along the edge of the forest of Chaumont above the three villages, probably follows the trackbed of an applied by the Romans side street of Vy d' Etra.

The first mention of Fenin was in 1191 under the name de Finilis 1228 appeared the name Fenis. Vilar was first mentioned in 1191 as in Vilar and the first mention of Saules dated to the year 1269 (Sales ). The three villages were part of the rule Valanginian, some of which was under the Counts of Neuchâtel, partly the Counts of Montbéliard and in 1592 finally came to Neuchâtel. Since 1648 Neuchâtel principality and 1707 was linked by personal union with the Kingdom of Prussia. 1806, the region was ceded to Napoleon I. and came in 1815 during the Congress of Vienna to the Swiss Confederation, whereby the kings of Prussia until 1857 Neuchâtel trade also prince of Neuchâtel remained. 1875 included the previously independent municipalities Fenin, Vilar and Saules together.

Attractions

The present building of the already mentioned 1191 Saint-Laurent church above the village of Fenin built in the 15th century, but was later restored several times; the church tower was built in 1736. The so-called Château is a late Gothic mansion with two corner towers, was built in 1561. In the town centers and some characteristic farmhouses from the 17th to 19th centuries have been preserved.