Les Genevez

View from Montbautier on Les Genevez

Les Genevez (JU ) is a municipality in the district Franches- Montagnes in the canton of Jura in Switzerland.

Geography

Les Genevez is 1'035 m above sea level. M., 10 km east of the district municipal seat Saignelégier (air line). The village is located in a slight depression, as well as on the adjacent slopes of the Jura plateau of eastern Freiberg Mountains (French Freiberge ).

The area of ​​13.6 km ² large municipality area includes a portion of the gently undulating plateau of the Jura plateau on which boggy, usually above ground endorheic valleys with peaks of limestone alternate. Extensive Jura meadows with standing singly or in groups as well as some large spruce forests occupy the western part of Les Genevez. In the north, the area encompassing the ridge of Les Combes (up to 1,093 m above sea level. M. ) with the moor sink Les Embreux. To the south the municipal area extends up to the height of the Montbautier, the altitude with 1,177 m. M. is the highest point of Les Genevez. East of the village begins the valley of Bellelay, which is drained by the springing in the village center Sorne. From the municipality surface 1997 3 % was attributable to settlements, 43 % of forest and shrubs, 53% to agriculture and slightly more than 1% was unproductive land.

At Les Genevez includes the hamlet of Le Prédame ( 1,005 m above sea level. M. ) Les Vacheries of Genevez ( 1'046 m above sea level. M. ) Les Joux ( 1,023 m above sea level. M. ) and Les Bois- Rebetez ( 1,010 m above sea level. M. ), all located on the plateau of the mountains free, as well as several individual farms. Neighboring municipalities of Les Genevez are Montfaucon and Lajoux in the Canton of Jura and Saicourt and Tramelan in the canton of Bern.

Population

With 526 inhabitants ( 31 December 2012) Les Genevez belongs to the medium-sized municipalities in the canton of Jura. Of the 94.6 % inhabitants are French-speaking and German-speaking 4.7 % (as of 2000). The population of Les Genevez amounted in 1850 to 665 residents in 1900 to 733 inhabitants. Since then she has been greatly reduced.

Economy

Les Genevez is still a predominantly agricultural village embossed with dairy farming and cattle breeding. In the village there are more jobs in the fields of watchmaking ( Edox ) and crafts as well as local small businesses. Some employed persons are also working away in the regions Tramelan and Tavannes.

Traffic

The community is located off the major thoroughfares on a main road of Saignelégier after Bellelay. Les Genevez is served by the bus route from Glovelier to Tramelan and is also connected by a postal car course with Tavannes.

History

His first mention of the village is 1381 Geneveys. The place name derives not as commonly adopted by a family who emigrated here from Geneva but from the Latin word Juniperus ( juniper, in French genévrier ). Les Genevez subordinate to the monastery Bellelay. Between 1793 and 1815, the village belonged to France and was initially part of the département du Mont- Terrible, associated from 1800 with the Department of Haut -Rhin. By the decision of the Congress of Vienna Les Genevez came in 1815 to the canton of Bern to the district of Moutier. The residents of Les Genevez voted in the Juraplebisziten always an overwhelming majority for the creation of the Canton of Jura. As a border town in the district of Moutier, Les Genevez decided in the referendum of September 7, 1975 for the Canton of Jura, entered 1976 in the District Franches- Montagnes over and came up with this on 1 January 1979 at the newly founded Canton Jura.

Attractions

The parish church of Les Genevez at the height north of the village. The first construction dates back to the year 1620. In 1935 the church was rebuilt, with the bell tower of the previous building was included. The modern stained glass by Yves Voirol are from 2003. In a niche to the left of the main entrance of the glass sarcophagus with the mummy of Saint Clare. The body of the Roman martyr at that time was embalmed. In the 17th century, were found in the catacomb of Saint Cyriacus the grave of Saint Clare. The Swiss Guard Benoit Bolinger of Menzigen received by Pope Innocent XI. the bodies of the saints and transported him in 1680 to Einsiedeln. From the monastery Einsiedeln the relic came into the Bellelay Abbey in 1683. During the French Revolution the bodies of the saints had to be hidden behind furniture before the revolution soldiers. In 1805 the Abbot of Bellelay bequeathed the body of Saint Clare Church of Les Genevez where Klara finally found their final resting place.

A former farmhouse dating from the 16th century, now houses the Museum of Jurassic Bauer. The museum can be visited every Sunday afternoon or by appointment. Always on Friday afternoon bread is baked in the manner of the 17th century in the wood stove. The museum offers insight into the life of the Jurassic peasants in the 17th century. Shown are the different equipment but also a watchmaker atelier and herbal books of a pastor, who lived as a doctor in the house in the 18th century.

Pictures

Jurassic Farmers' Museum

Mummy of Saint Clare in the church of Les Genevez

Stained glass by Yves Voirol in the parish church of Les Genevez

Church organ

Watch tools in Jurassic Farmers' Museum