Brent

Origin of the name Brent

Name origin: not explained by the sources consulted. The name was borne by a « de Brent » family, originating from Brent (Montreux) and Lausanne. A note from the Archives cantonales vaudoises, based on Piccard, mentions a knight at « Brent-sur-Vevey » in 1175 (to be cross-checked).

Founding of Brent

Brent is not a municipality: it is a village of the municipality of Montreux, in the district of Riviera-Pays-d'Enhaut. No founding act is known. Brent was one of the 17 villages that made up the former municipality of Le Châtelard, along with Chailly, Clarens, Chernex, Sonzier and Chaulin among others. Its main historical distinction is its fair, authorised in December 1486, which the village has kept to this day. Le Châtelard merged with Les Planches in 1962 to form the municipality of Montreux.

History of Brent

1175. Mention of a knight at « Brent-sur-Vevey » (to be cross-checked).

1356. Period to which the Archives cantonales vaudoises date the « de Brent » family, originating from Brent and Lausanne (to be cross-checked).

1486. In December, the Brent fair is authorised.

1746-1751. The road network of Le Châtelard is improved: torrents and rivers are embanked, bridges built or widened.

1757. The village of Les Planches receives a fair right, on condition that it does not compete with the Brent fair.

1901. Construction of the Brent bridge.

1962. The municipality of Le Châtelard, to which Brent belonged, merges with Les Planches to form the municipality of Montreux.

2016. 530th edition of the Brent fair, which each year mobilises about 150 volunteers and keeps the village society busy from June to December.

Historic sites in Brent

Brent fair. Fair authorised in December 1486 and held every autumn in the village streets, with livestock competitions and exhibitions, craftspeople and merchants, food stands and live music. Its 530th edition took place in 2016.

Brent bridge. Bridge built in 1901, following the road and embankment works carried out on the territory of Le Châtelard since the 18th century.

Sources

• Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Montreux »
• Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Châtelard, Le (VD) »
• Commune de Montreux, « Vivre à Montreux » n° 34, octobre 2016
• Archives cantonales vaudoises, Davel, « Brent (famille de, originaire de Brent/Montreux et Lausanne) »
• Statistique Vaud, « Population résidante permanente au 31 décembre 2025 »
• geo.admin.ch, recherche de lieux swisstopo (coordonnées)

Other villages near Brent

• Chamby (VD)
• Le Châtelard (VD)
• Chailly-Montreux (VD)
• Chernex (VD)
• Clarens (VD)