Chambrelien

Origin of the name Chambrelien

Origin of the name not explained in the sources consulted; no dated first written mention of the hamlet was found in them.

Founding of Chambrelien

No founding act is known for Chambrelien, a hamlet in the municipality of Rochefort (Littoral region). Its known history is mainly linked to the railway. When the Jura industriel line was built between Neuchâtel and La Chaux-de-Fonds, the tracks bypassed the village of Rochefort, which lived partly from carrying goods, but a station was established at Chambrelien. From Neuchâtel the line climbs at a steady gradient of 2.7 % up to Chambrelien, where trains must reverse direction to continue towards the Val-de-Ruz and La Chaux-de-Fonds. In the early 21st century Chambrelien forms a residential area of the municipality of Rochefort.

History of Chambrelien

1859. On 1 December the Neuchâtel-Les Hauts-Geneveys section of the Jura industriel opens; Chambrelien station opens at the same time as this section.

1860. On 15 July the whole line from Neuchâtel to Le Locle opens. The tracks bypass the village of Rochefort, but a station is established at Chambrelien.

early 21st century. Chambrelien forms a residential area of the municipality of Rochefort.

2012. On 23 September the Transrun project, which was to eliminate the Chambrelien reversal with two long tunnels, is rejected in a vote.

2023. The station is used by about 810 passengers per weekday.

2024. The Federal Assembly approves funding for a new direct Neuchâtel-La Chaux-de-Fonds line under PRODES 2035; Chambrelien station is then expected to close permanently to passenger traffic (year to be cross-checked).

Historic sites in Chambrelien

Chambrelien station. Reversing station at 684.7 m above sea level, at kilometre 10.40 of the Neuchâtel-La Chaux-de-Fonds-Le Locle-Col-des-Roches line. In the steam era it had a roundhouse at the end of the tracks for turning locomotives. It has a station building, an island platform and a side platform serving four tracks.

Towards the ruins of Rochefort Castle. The ruins of Rochefort Castle lie a little over a kilometre west of Chambrelien station.

Sources

• Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Rochefort »
• Commune de Rochefort, « Histoire »
• Commune de Rochefort, « La commune en bref »
• Wikipédia, « Gare de Chambrelien »
• Wikipedia (en), « Chambrelien railway station »
• Wikipedia (en), « Jura industriel »
• Wikipedia (en), « Neuchâtel-Le Locle-Col-des-Roches railway »
• Wikipédia, « Gare de Montmollin-Montezillon »
• État de Neuchâtel, arrêté du 4 février 2026 homologuant le recensement cantonal de la population au 31 décembre 2025

Other villages near Chambrelien

• Rochefort (NE)
• Grotte de Cotencher (NE)
• Château de Rochefort (NE)
• Trois-Rods (NE)
• Bôle (NE)