Les Planchettes
Origin of the name Les Planchettes
First written mention in 1455, in the form « Les Planchotes ». The etymology is not explained in the sources read.
Founding of Les Planchettes
No founder or founding act is known. The territory belonged to the Clos de la Franchise, created in 1372 by Jean II d'Aarberg, and was probably cleared in the 14th century by people from Le Locle, La Sagne and Les Brenets. It consisted of two quarters: the Grand Quartier, to the west, was part of the mairie of Les Brenets; Le Dazenet, to the east, of the mairie of Le Locle and later also of that of Les Brenets. The municipality was created in 1812.
History of Les Planchettes
1372. The territory is included in the Clos de la Franchise created by Jean II d'Aarberg.
14th century. Probable clearance by people from Le Locle, La Sagne and Les Brenets.
1455. First mention, in the form « Les Planchotes ».
1547. Mention of mills.
1702. Creation of the parish and construction of the temple.
18th century. Barley is grown, with a little oats and wheat; the pastures are used to fatten oxen for the butchers of Geneva and Basel.
1812. Creation of the municipality of Les Planchettes.
1821. Le Dazenet also comes under the mairie of Les Brenets.
1832. The municipality is entirely attached to the mairie of La Chaux-de-Fonds.
19th century. Thanks to its many forests, Les Planchettes is the main timber supplier of the region's sawmills.
1877. Construction of a church (to be cross-checked).
1953. Commissioning of the Franco-Swiss Le Châtelot hydroelectric dam on the Doubs.
2005. The primary sector provides 53 % of jobs.
Population of Les Planchettes
| 1850 | 430 |
| 1870 | 535 |
| 1900 | 495 |
| 1950 | 313 |
| 2000 | 225 |
| 2025 | 187 (31 December) |
Historic sites in Les Planchettes
Temple. Temple built in 1702, when the parish was created.
Le Châtelot dam. Franco-Swiss hydroelectric dam commissioned in 1953, the largest in the Doubs valley.
The Grand Quartier and Le Dazenet. The two historic quarters of the municipality, which came under the mairie of Les Brenets and that of Le Locle respectively before being attached to La Chaux-de-Fonds in 1832.
Sources
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Les Planchettes »
- État de Neuchâtel, arrêté du 4 février 2026 homologuant le recensement cantonal de la population au 31 décembre 2025
Localities of the municipality with a page
Other villages near Les Planchettes
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