Fontenu
| Fontenu | ||
|---|---|---|
|
||
| region | Bourgogne-Franche-Comté | |
| Department | law | |
| Arrondissement | Lons-le-Saunier | |
| Canton | Saint-Laurent-en-Grandvaux | |
| Community association | Pays des Lacs | |
| Coordinates | 46 ° 40 ′ N , 5 ° 49 ′ E | |
| height | 485-667 m | |
| surface | 6.71 km 2 | |
| Residents | 75 (January 1, 2017) | |
| Population density | 11 inhabitants / km 2 | |
| Post Code | 39130 | |
| INSEE code | 39230 | |
.JPG) Saint-Bonnet Chapel |
||
Fontenu is a commune in the French department of Jura in the region Bourgogne Franche-Comté .
geography
Fontenu is located at 594 m , about 20 kilometers east of the city of Lons-le-Saunier (as the crow flies). The farming village extends in the Jura , on the high plateau of Champagnole between the Combe d'Ain in the west and the chains of the Hochjuras in the east, above the Lac de Chalain .
The area of the municipal area of 6.71 km² covers a section of the French Jura. The eastern part of the area is occupied by the Champagnole plateau, which is on average 600 m . This slightly undulating plateau shows a loose structure of meadow, farmland and forest ( Bois du Prévalot ). On a hilltop east of the village, the highest elevation of Fontenu is reached at 667 m . The plateau shows no surface watercourses because the rainwater seeps into the subsoil, which consists of permeable limestone.
The western part of the municipality includes the pronounced basin of Chalain. This basin, which is mainly occupied by the Lac de Chalain ( 488 m ), is of glacial origin. On three sides it is flanked by around 100 m high, densely wooded steep slopes, some of which are overlooked by rock walls in the area of the upper edge. In the north is the height of the Bois de Marigny , in the east the plateau of Fontenu and in the south the height of the Bois de la Frate . To the west, the Lac de Chalain juts out into the depression of the Combe d'Ain. The entire lake area belongs to Fontenu, whereby the municipal boundary here always runs along the boggy shore.
Neighboring communities of Fontenu are Mont-sur-Monnet in the north, Saffloz and Chevrotaine in the east, Songeson and Doucier in the south and Marigny in the west.
history
The region around Lac de Chalain can look back on a very long tradition of settlement. Excavations on the western shore of the lake have unearthed the remains of a settlement that was inhabited from the Neolithic to the Bronze Age (from about 4000 to 750 BC). Some litter finds from the Gallo-Roman and Burgundian times have been preserved.
Fontenu was first mentioned in a document in the 12th century. It has belonged to the Monnet rule since the Middle Ages. Together with Franche-Comté , Fontenu came to France with the Peace of Nijmegen in 1678. The hunting lodge Château de Chalain was built in the 13th century on the alluvial plain east of Lac de Chalain. Over time, it was rebuilt several times before it fell victim to a fire in 1945.
Attractions
The Saint-Bonnet chapel on the edge of the plateau was built in the 17th century in the late Gothic style. The restored ruins of the former Château de Chalain have been preserved. The Lac de Chalain is one of the natural attractions of the region.
population
| Population development | |
|---|---|
| year | Residents |
| 1962 | 68 |
| 1968 | 52 |
| 1975 | 50 |
| 1982 | 47 |
| 1990 | 35 |
| 1999 | 40 |
| 2005 | 49 |
With 75 inhabitants (as of January 1, 2017) Fontenu is one of the smallest communities in the Jura department. After the population had decreased markedly in the first half of the 20th century (202 people were still counted in 1881), only slight fluctuations have been recorded since the early 1970s.
Economy and Infrastructure
Until well into the 20th century, Fontenu was primarily a village characterized by agriculture , especially cattle breeding and dairy farming, as well as forestry. Even today, the residents live mainly from their work in the first sector. Some workers are also commuters who work in the surrounding larger towns.
As a resort in a popular excursion area in the western Jura, Fontenu now also benefits from tourism. In the summer months there are numerous opportunities to practice leisure and water sports at Lac de Chalain. There is a large campsite on the alluvial plain on the eastern shore of the lake.
The village is located away from the larger thoroughfares. The main access is from Doucier in the Ain Valley. Further road connections exist with Marigny, Mont-sur-Monnet, Saffloz and Chevrotaine.
