Mouthier-Haute-Pierre

Mouthier -Haute -Pierre is a commune in the French department Doubs in the Franche -Comté.

Geography

Mouthier -Haute -Pierre is located at 408 m above sea level, 12 km southeast of Ornans and about 29 km southeast of the city of Besançon (air line). The village is located in the Jura, in the narrow valley of the upper Loue, which is deeply incised into the surrounding plateaus, near the karst source of the Loue. The valley is dominated by the striking Kalkfelswänden and projections rock de Roche de Haute Pierre and Rocher du Moine.

The area of ​​12.13 km ² municipal area includes a portion of the French Jura. The central part of the area occupied by the basin of Mouthier, the top of the Loue valley widening. The boiler is cut here almost 400 meters deep into the surrounding plateau and flows through the Loue from southeast to northwest. Its steep slopes are crossed and crowned by the characteristic Kalkfelswänden. In the north of the municipality floor to the rock formations of the Roche de Haute Pierre (up to 800 m) and at the edge of the plateau of Haute Pierre ranges. Directly opposite are located on the south side of the boiler, the Rochers du Capucin of the viewpoints Rocher du Moine ( also to 800 m). On the ridge of Belvoir the highest elevation of Mouthier -Haute -Pierre is achieved here with 867 m. To the southeast, the municipality's area extends into the lower portion of the Gorges de Nouailles, a wild gorge, which was created by the Loue. Just before the entrance to the gorge are the karst spring Source du Pontet and the cave Grotte des Faux Monnayeurs.

The municipality consists of the two districts Mouthier skin ( 440 m) on the northern flank of the Loue below the Roche de Haute Pierre and Mouthier Bas (390 m) at the Loue. Neighboring communities of Mouthier -Haute -Pierre are Athose in the north, Haute Pierre -le- Châtelet on the east, Aubonne, Ouhans, Renédale and Évillers in the south and Longeville and Lods the west.

History

The beginnings of Mouthier go back to the founding of the Benedictine monastery of Saint- Pierre de la Haute -Pierre in the 9th century. The monks reclaimed the area under cultivation, thus laying the foundation for the settlement. In 1639, the village of troops of Duke Bernhard of Saxe- Weimar was affected. Together with the Franche -Comté it came with the Peace of Nijmegen in 1678 to France. In 1962 the official name of municipality Mouthier in Mouthier -Haute -Pierre has been changed. Today Mouthier -Haute -Pierre is a member of the 24 localities comprehensive community association Communauté de communes du Pays d' Ornans.

Attractions

The church of Saint -Laurent is originally from the 12th century. Its present form the church received the extensive new construction in the 16th century in the Gothic Flamboyant style. It has a rich interior, including statues from the 15th century, an altar from the 17th century and the pulpit and choir stalls from the 18th century. From the former priory remains are barely visible, while the Prioratsgebäude from the 18th century has survived. The old town is characterized by narrow streets lined with many citizens and winegrowers' houses in the characteristic style of the Franche -Comté from the 16th to 18th centuries. The small Musée Phisalix in the mairie ( community center ) shows a collection of the natural history and fauna of the region. A stone bridge, which was built in the 16th century, spanning the Loue.

Population

With 311 inhabitants ( 1 January 2011) Mouthier -Haute -Pierre is one of the small communities of the department of Doubs. After the population had decreased significantly in the first half of the 20th century (1881 831 persons were still counted ), only relatively small fluctuations were recorded since the early 1960s.

Economy and infrastructure

Mouthier -Haute -Pierre has long been a by agriculture ( with viticulture, which is now entirely abandoned ) and smaller businesses embossed village. The water power of the Loue was used early for the operation of mills, saw mills and for iron manufacturing. Today, there are some operations of small and medium industries, including a hydroelectric power plant, various craft shops and retail companies. Of importance is the cherry production. Some employed persons are also commuters who engage in the larger towns in the vicinity of their work.

The village has good transport links. It lies on the secondary road D67, which runs from Ornans to Pontarlier. Another road connection with Haute Pierre -le- Châtelet.