Le Locle - Protestant church

In 1150, the valley where Le Locle was later built was given to the Abbey of Fontaine-André. In 1360 the lord of Valanginian received Le Locle as a fief. The densely wooded areas of the Jura mountains here were cleared by colonists, who later received the status of free farmers. These first free peasants received a charter in 1372 that established their rights and freedoms. At the beginning of the 15th was again confirmed, that the residents of Le Locle were given the right to own the land they cleared, provided they continued to farm and pay taxes on it.

Le Locle developed from a farming village into an industrial town in the early 18th century, with close ties to nearby France. This was especially true in the years leading up to the French Revolution. The revolutionary spirit led to conflicts with the old government. Government repression drove many Le Locle residents into exile in 1793. Several hundred moved to Besançon, where they found work at the National Watch Factory founded by the National Convention. When they returned to Le Locle, they brought with them experienced watchmakers with a republican outlook.

Watches were made here as early as 1705. For more than 250 years, the economy of Le Locle was mainly based on the watchmaking industry. Luxury watches are still made here. Here are works by Certina, Mido, Tissot and others.
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The church is the successor of a chapel already mentioned in 1321. This church was enlarged from 1521 to 1525 and the front tower was added.