Autavaux
Origin of the name Autavaux
Written « Autavauz » in 1350, the village name has never been explained.[1]
Founding of Autavaux
Autavaux lies on the southern shore of Lake Neuchâtel, where two lakeside settlements, one Neolithic and one from the Bronze Age, have been known since the 19th century. In the Middle Ages the village belonged to the lordship of Estavayer, and for centuries its inhabitants were divided between several neighbouring parishes. A village of cereals, fodder and cattle, Autavaux formed the municipality of Vernay with Forel and Montbrelloz from 2006 to 2016. It is now part of the municipality of Estavayer (merger of 2017).[1][3]
History of Autavaux
Neolithic and Bronze Age. Two lakeside settlements grow up on the shore. The larger one, La Crasaz II, dates from the Bronze Age.[1]
1350. Autavaux, written « Autavauz », belongs to the lordship of Estavayer.[1]
1504. The villagers acknowledge themselves subjects of Philippe d'Estavayer.[1]
1505. François de Treytorrens sells the tithe to the clergy of Estavayer, keeping a right of repurchase.[1]
1536. The village is incorporated into the bailiwick.[1]
Early 17th century. Part of the population is attached to the parish of Montet (Broye).[1]
1719. Other inhabitants, until then parishioners of Morens, move to the parish of Estavayer.[1][2]
1798-1848. Autavaux belongs to the district of Estavayer.[1]
1907. The village is joined to the parish of Montbrelloz.[1]
1909. The rectorate of Forel-Autavaux is created.[1]
1942. The rectorate becomes the parish of Forel-Autavaux.[1]
1972-1986. A land consolidation reshapes the farmland.[1]
2006. On 1 January Autavaux, Forel and Montbrelloz merge under a decree of the Grand Council of 16 March 2005. The new municipality takes the name Vernay, after a village of the medieval forest between Les Planches and Grandcour that disappeared in the 15th century.[1][3][4]
2017. Vernay becomes part of the new municipality of Estavayer. Its voters had approved the merger on 14 June 2015 by 305 votes to 194.[1][5]
Population of Autavaux
Sources and references: [1]
| 1811 | 87 |
| 1850 | 120 |
| 1900 | 139 |
| 1950 | 136 |
| 2000 | 201 |
Remains in Autavaux
Lakeside settlements. Two lakeside sites have been known on the shore at Autavaux since the 19th century, one Neolithic and one from the Bronze Age. The second, La Crasaz II, is the more important.[1]
The « poignée de char étrusque ». Bronze fittings from a two-wheeled chariot were discovered at Autavaux. The chariot had been imported from Tuscany or Latium, and the pieces are known as the « poignée de char étrusque ».[1]
Sources
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Autavaux » (Marianne Rolle, version de 1997, remanié le 11.04.2017)
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Morens (FR) » (Marianne Rolle, version de 2007, remanié le 06.04.2017)
- Commune d'Estavayer, « Vernay »
- État de Fribourg, Recueil systématique (RSF 141.1.2), « Liste chronologique des fusions, divisions et changements de nom des communes »
- Conseil d'État du canton de Fribourg, message 2015-DIAF-73 du 25 août 2015 sur la fusion des communes de Bussy, Estavayer-le-Lac, Morens, Murist, Rueyres-les-Prés, Vernay et Vuissens
Other villages near Autavaux
Missing information, or do you have a source? Suggest a correction or addition. Every submission is checked before it's published.
Suggest a change