La Brévine
View of La Brevine
La Brevine is a municipality in the district of Le Locle in the canton of Neuchâtel in Switzerland.
Geography
La Brevine lies on 1'043 meters above sea level. Level, 24 km west of the capital of the canton of Neuchâtel (air line). The farming village extends into the flat surface of the Valley Vallée de la Brevine in the Neuchâtel Jura, on both sides of the village stream Le Bied, near the border with France.
The area of 41.8 km ² large municipality area comprises the central and western part of the synclines of the Vallée de la Brevine with the aboveground endorheic Lac des Taillères. In the south, the municipality of soil extends to the heights of Les Fontenettes ( 1,242 m above sea level. M. ) and Cret du cervelet on which to 1,308 m above sea level. M. the highest point of La Brevine is achieved. The northern boundary runs along the wooded ridge of Armont which to 1'266 m above sea level. M. increases. On the west, the area extends in a narrow tip on the amount of the Bois des Vaux ( 1,220 m above sea level. M. ) in the catchment area of the Doubs and to Felskrete Rochers du Cerf ( 1,195 m above sea level. M. ). On the heights south of the Vallée de la Brevine be extended Jura high grazing pastures with the typical tall spruce trees that are either individually or in groups. From the municipality surface 1997 2 % came from settlements, 43 % of forest and shrubs, 53% to agriculture and slightly more than 2% was unproductive land.
At La Brevine (M. 1'050 m above. ) Includes the hamlet of Le Brouillet ( 1,060 m above sea level. M. ) and Bémont in the southwestern Vallée de la Brevine, Les Taillères ( 1,055 m above sea level. M. ) north the Lac des Taillères, La Châtagne ( 1'056 m above sea level. M. ) east of La Brevine on the edge of the Marais de la Châtagne and remote farms on the high valley and the Jura mountains, numerous individual courtyards. Neighboring communities of La Brevine are Val -de- Travers, Les Ponts- de -Martel, La Chaux- du-Milieu and Cerneux - Péquignot in the canton of Neuchâtel and Grand'Combe- Châteleu, Les Gras, Ville -du -Pont and Hauterive- la- face in neighboring France.
Climate
La Brevine is characterized by a rough and relatively humid climate. In winter, in the fully enclosed Vallée de la Brevine during radiation periods ( clear skies and little to no wind provide maximum cooling of the soil via radiation ) often reaches temperatures of -30 ° C, giving the place earned the name Siberia of Switzerland. At the station La Brevine the lowest ever recorded at an official station of MeteoSwiss temperature of Switzerland was registered on 12 January 1987 with -41.8 ° C.
Population
With 636 inhabitants ( 31 December 2012) La Brevine one of the smaller municipalities in the canton of Neuchâtel. Of the 95.2% inhabitants are French-speaking, German-speaking 3.4% and 0.6 % portugiesischsprachig (as of 2000). The valley of La Brevine was settled relatively close in the 18th and 19th centuries. After peaking in 1880, a decrease in population by more than 60 % was recorded by strong -migration, which could be slowed down and stopped in the last few years.
Economy
La Brevine was to the 19th century an embossed by agriculture village. In the 18th century spinning and lace making were introduced in homework. During the 19th century, this branch was replaced by the watch production that brought the valley an economic upturn. Since the 18th century the Vallée de la Brevine peat was cut in the marshes. Today, the peat is set. The only industrial company is a watch factory. Agriculture still has a great importance, about 50 % of the workforce are employed in the primary sector. It outweigh the livestock and dairy (cheese production ), but there are also timber trade.
Traffic
The community is located far away from the major thoroughfares on the main road of Le Locle to Fleurier. Through three postal routes ( according to Le Locle, Fleurier and Les Bayard ) La Brevine is connected to the network of public transport.
Tourism
The region of La Brevine is a destination for nature lovers and those seeking relaxation. In summer, the Jura heights for long walks and hikes. The flat Vallée de la Brevine is ideal for cross-country skiing in winter.
The middle of the 17th century discovered the mineral springs of La Châtagne and Bonne -Fontaine were used until the late 19th century for cures.
History
The Vallée de la Brevine was reclaimed in the 13th century by settlers from the Val de Travers. During the 14th century migrated emigrants from Burgundy. The etymology of the name La Brevine is controversial. Some sources suggest it as a variation of the word abreuvoir ( potions ), others lead him back to the Celtic Bebrona, the beaver creek means. The earliest documented hamlet is Bémont ( 1266 Bemont ), also Les Taillères is already called 1304 ( Chaul de Estaleres ).
Once in the course of the 16th century, settlers from Le Locle and La sagne had immigrated, the valley came more and more into the sphere of influence of the rule Valanginian. Until 1624 La Brevine belonged to Kastlanei Val de Travers, after that it was a separate municipality with Mairie and civil court, which was dissolved in 1848. The name La Brevine applied only for the central place, until the 18th century, it was extended to all of today's municipal area. In 1831, numerous houses a fire fell victim.
The sovereignty over La Brevine the county had held Neuchâtel, the principality was built in 1648 and was associated from 1707 through 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, the kings of Prussia until 1857 Neuchâtel trade also prince of Neuchâtel remained.
Attractions
The Reformed Church of La Brevine was built in 1604 and restored before her 400th birthday in 2003. Since 1622, previously dependent on Le Locle village forms its own parish. In the village and in the hamlets numerous characteristic farmhouses of the high Jura from the 17th to 19th centuries have been preserved. In Bémont is a chapel.
Pictures
Lac des Taillères
Church
La Brevine