Saint-Sulpice, Neuchâtel

Saint- Sulpice (NE) was until December 31, 2008, a municipality in the district of Val -de- Travers in the canton of Neuchâtel in Switzerland.

Since January 1, 2009 Saint- Sulpice belongs together with Boveresse, Buttes, Couvet, Fleurier, Les Bayard, Môtiers, Noiraigue and Travers to the new municipality of Val -de- Travers.

Geography

Saint- Sulpice is located at 754 meters above sea level. M., 29 km west-southwest of the capital of the canton of Neuchâtel (air line). The village extends along the Areuse in an almost completely closed basin, the east has a narrow exit to the Val de Travers, surrounded by the hills of the south-western Jura region.

The area of ​​13.1 km ² large former municipal area includes the entire basin of Saint- Sulpice, at the western end of the Areuse ( Source de l' Areuse ) at a karstic spring ( Vauclusetyp ) arises. The valley is incised about 400 m in the surrounding Jura mountains. The eastern boundary runs along the narrow point at the prospect pulpit Chapeau de Napoléon, where the Areuse leaves the valley and enters the broad Val de Travers. In the south of the municipality bottom handed to the anticline of the Montagne de Buttes (up to 1,184 m above sea level. M. ). To the north the area extended over open plateaus up to the ridge, which accompanies the Vallée de la Brevine in the south. In the Bois de la Baume is with 1'241 m above sea level. M. the highest point of Saint- Sulpice achieved. Especially the northern former municipal area there is an extensive Jura mountain meadows with the typical tall spruce trees that are either individually or in groups. From the municipality surface 1997 4 % came from settlements, 57 % of forest and shrubs, 38% to agriculture and about 1% was unproductive land.

At Saint- Sulpice included the hamlet of Les Parcs ( 1,058 m above sea level. M. ) and La Place Jeannin ( 1,170 m above sea level. M. ) on the Jura hills north of the village as well as some individual farms. Neighboring municipalities of Saint- Sulpice were Les Bayard, La Brevine, Boveresse, Fleurier and buttes.

Population

With 644 inhabitants ( end of 2007) Saint- Sulpice was one of the smaller municipalities in the canton of Neuchâtel. Of the residents 90.7 % are French, 2.7 % Italian-speaking and German-speaking 2.5 % (as of 2000). The population of Saint- Sulpice rose to 1900 to 1243 inhabitants, after it has been cut in half due to migration to 1990 ( 569 inhabitants), and since then is again a slightly increasing trend observed.

Economy

Ever since the end of the Middle Ages, the water power of the Areuse was used by mills, saw mills, tanneries, foundries and forges, which shaped the economic structure of the village. From 1879 to 1945 there was a Portland cement factory. Since 1945, cultivating mushrooms is operated. In the Jura hills cattle breeding and dairy farming and the timber trade dominate. Many workers today are commuters who work in the larger villages of the Val de Travers.

Traffic

The former municipality is traffic moderately well developed. It is located below the main road from Neuchatel on the border crossing Les Verrières to Pontarlier in France. Follow this round the village on the northern slope of the valley of Saint- Sulpice, to overcome the steep slope from the valley of the Val de Travers, the height at Les Verrières. Which opened on July 25, 1860 the railway line from Auvernier to Les Verrières is located high above Saint- Sulpice and never had one stop. The village was only on September 24, 1883 with the inauguration of the valley line Travers - tethered Saint -Sulpice on the railway network. Meanwhile, the last section of Fleurier to Saint -Sulpice is but been shut down and replaced by the bus route from Fleurier to Les Verrières (and sometimes further to Pontarlier ).

History

The area of Saint- Sulpice has been inhabited since the Iron Age. It was uncovered 86 burials a necropolis containing rich grave goods. The first written mention of the village was carried out in 1228 under the name Sanctus Surpicius, 1300, names Saint Sulpis. Saint- Sulpice belonged to the 14th century Priory Saint- Pierre in Môtiers, after which it was subordinate to 1848 Kastlanei the Val- de -Travers. During this time, the County of Neuchâtel held the sovereignty over the territory. 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, the kings of Prussia until 1857 Neuchâtel trade also prince of Neuchâtel remained.

Attractions

The present building of the church with an oval nave dates from 1821. Located in Saint- Sulpice is the Écomusée Founded in 1994, de la Haute- Areuse, which deals with the industrial development of the village. A natural attraction is the karst spring Areuse.