FRDEITEN
Villages / Bern / Former Moutier district / Chaindon

Chaindon

Canton of Bern · Former district: Moutier · Hamlet of the municipality of Reconvilier
Part of the municipality of Reconvilier
Origin of the name Founding Historical timeline Must-see historical sites Sources and references Nearby villages

Origin of the name Chaindon

The chapel of Saint-Léonard at Chaindon is mentioned in 962, but the hamlet's name has no explanation. The fair is also called « Foire d'Chaindon » or simply « Chaindon ».[1][2]

Founding of Chaindon

Chaindon was a hamlet between Reconvilier and Tavannes, around the chapel of Saint-Léonard. It gave its name to the parish of Tavannes-Chaindon, and later to that of Reconvilier-Chaindon. The hamlet disappeared as Reconvilier grew, and the fair moved into the village. Only the church remains.[1][2][6]

History of Chaindon

962. The chapel of Saint-Léonard at Chaindon is mentioned.[1]

1530. The parish of Tavannes-Chaindon adopts the Reformation.[1]

1626. On 2 September the Chaindon fair appears for the first time in the records.[1][2][3]

Around 1740. The church of Chaindon is built with the stones of Tavannes castle, burned in 1499.[4]

1908. The parish of Tavannes-Chaindon is divided. Reconvilier, Saules, Saicourt and Loveresse form the parish of Reconvilier-Chaindon.[1][6]

1942. The photographer Alfred Graber captures the bargaining over horses.[2]

1944. The fair reaches its peak with about 3'100 horses and 200 cattle (the record is also dated to 1984).[2][3]

1967. Parking is laid out for 1'300 vehicles.[2]

1984. The fair has about 300 horses and 600 cattle. Mechanisation pushes livestock aside in favour of farm machinery.[2]

2017. The fair joins the list of living traditions of Switzerland.[2]

2020-2021. Both editions are cancelled because of COVID.[2]

2023. Only some sixty horses and about 80 cattle remain on the fairground.[2]

2026. On 6 and 7 September some 550 stallholders and about 50'000 visitors are expected.[3]

Historic sites in Chaindon

Church of Chaindon. The last building of the former hamlet, the Reformed church of Chaindon is listed in the inventory of cultural property (category B).[2][5]

Chaindon fair. Once also held in May and November, the fair keeps only its September edition, known for its horse market, once the largest in Europe. The livestock market is held on the first Monday of September, from 5.30 am, in the streets of Reconvilier. Local children traditionally sell cheese tart there.[2][3]

Sources

  1. Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Reconvilier » (Christine Gagnebin-Diacon), version du 15.01.2026
  2. Bibliothèque nationale suisse, « In search of the Chaindon Fair »
  3. La Télé (ATS), « Reconvilier (BE) vivra au rythme de la foire de Chaindon », 03.09.2026
  4. Commune de Tavannes, « Présentation et histoire »
  5. Office fédéral de la protection de la population, Inventaire PBC 2021, liste cantonale du canton de Berne (état au 1.1.2026)
  6. Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Saules (BE) » (Christine Gagnebin-Diacon), version du 22.01.2026

Other villages near Chaindon

Missing information, or do you have a source? Suggest a correction or addition. Every submission is checked before it's published.

Suggest a change