Champoz
Origin of the name Champoz
The village is first mentioned on 30 June 1365, in the form «Champo», in the Liber vitae of the collegiate church of Moutier-Grandval. The name has not been explained.[1][2]
Founding of Champoz
Champoz is a one-street village at the south-eastern foot of the Moron, on the heights above the Tavannes valley, and the municipality also includes part of the hamlet of Petit-Champoz. Under the prince-bishops of Basel it belonged to the provostry of Moutier-Grandval, in the mayoralty of Malleray. Having stayed away from the valley's road and railway, it has kept a rural character, although many inhabitants work in the factories of the Tavannes valley.[1]
History of Champoz
1365. On 30 June Champoz appears in the Liber vitae of the collegiate church of Moutier-Grandval.[1][2]
1499. During the Swabian War the village is destroyed by imperial troops.[1]
1531. Champoz adopts the Reformation. Before and after, it belongs to the parish of Chalières, served by the pastor of Moutier.[1]
1746. On 2 May the community protests at being left out of the provostry's main roads project. On 10 June it is attached to the nearer church of Bévilard.[1][2]
1797. French troops invade the south of the principality of Basel on 15 December. Champoz enters the département of Mont-Terrible, then that of Haut-Rhin, within the canton of Malleray.[1][2]
1806-1809. Three fires strike the village: seven houses burn in November 1806 (or 1804), six in November 1807, and seven houses and four granaries in September 1809.[2]
1815. Champoz passes to the canton of Bern. A decree of 6 April 1816 places it in the district of Moutier and the parish of Bévilard.[1][2]
1853. Champoz becomes a mixed municipality.[1]
1878. The Champoz cheese dairy society is founded on 1 February.[2]
1888. On 17 May the Bernese Grand Council grants 15'400 francs for the road from Bévilard to Champoz.[2]
1912. On 21 December the municipal assembly votes 10'000 francs for the road from Moutier to Champoz.[2]
1947. On 9 January the Bernese government approves the municipal coat of arms.[2]
1968. On 8 May the municipal assembly grants women the right to vote and stand for office.[2]
2008. On 3 December Champoz signs a preliminary merger agreement with municipalities of the Tavannes valley and Tramelan.[2]
2015. On 5 May the municipality joins JbEole, the wind energy grouping of the Bernese Jura.[2]
Population of Champoz
Sources and references: [1][3]
| 1850 | 190 |
| 1900 | 191 |
| 1950 | 186 |
| 1980 | 116 |
| 2000 | 151 |
| 2010 | 148 |
| 2020 | 174 |
| 2025 | 160 |
Historic sites in Champoz
One-street village. The houses of Champoz line a single street at the south-eastern foot of the Moron.[1]
Petit-Champoz. Part of this hamlet belongs to the municipality.[1]
Legends of Champoz
The Roman post. According to tradition, Champoz is said to have been a Roman observation post on a road linking Pierre-Pertuis to Moutier.[1]
Sources
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Champoz » (François Wisard, version du 15.01.2026)
- Chronologie jurassienne, « Champoz »
- Office fédéral de la statistique (OFS), STATPOP, population résidante permanente au 31.12.2025
Other villages near Champoz
Missing information, or do you have a source? Suggest a correction or addition. Every submission is checked before it's published.
Suggest a change