Châtillon
Origin of the name Châtillon
By the early 14th century a noble family already bears the name of the lordship of Châtillon, whose origin is unexplained.[1]
Founding of Châtillon
Châtillon is a hamlet perched above Font on Lake Neuchâtel, along the small road from Lully to Font. The slope was already settled in Roman times, as several villas show. In the Middle Ages the place forms a lordship that gives its name to a noble family, and in 1520 it passes to Fribourg together with the lordship of Font. Châtillon has always belonged to the parish of Lully. It formed one large municipality with Font and Châbles until the division of 1801. Once a winegrowers' village, it has become a residential place with weekend chalets.[1][2]
History of Châtillon
Roman period. Several villas stand on the slope, decorated with frescoes and inscribed marble slabs.[1]
Early 14th century. A noble family takes its name from the lordship of Châtillon.[1]
1520. The fief comes under Fribourg rule together with the lordship of Font. Châtillon then belongs to the bailiwick of Font.[1]
18th century. The villagers harvest chestnut trees.[1]
1801. Châtillon becomes a municipality after the citizens and common lands of the large municipality it formed with Font and Châbles are divided.[1]
1832. Châtillon's vineyard covers 18 poses.[1]
Until 1848. After the bailiwick of Font, Châtillon belongs to the district of Estavayer.[1]
Early 20th century. Work at a molasse quarry comes to an end.[1]
1970. Five owners still grow vines. Only one will be left by 1990.[1]
Late 20th century. Houses are built towards Lully, Font and the south, at the edge of the woods, leaving the old core of farms untouched.[2]
Early 21st century. New buildings are slotted into the historic core, which becomes fragmented.[2]
Population of Châtillon
Sources and references: [1][3]
| 1811 | 102 |
| 1850 | 157 |
| 1880 | 186 |
| 1900 | 132 |
| 1950 | 131 |
| 1970 | 82 |
| 2000 | 274 |
| 2025 | 549 |
Historic sites in Châtillon
Core of farmhouses. The heart of the hamlet, along the Lully to Font road, keeps a few 18th- and 19th-century farmhouses, with no church or school.[2]
Remains in Châtillon
Roman villas. Several villas have been identified at Châtillon. They yielded frescoes and inscribed marble slabs, and the site may also have had a sanctuary.[1]
Sources
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Châtillon (FR) » (Gérard Guisolan, version du 29.12.2003)
- Service des biens culturels du canton de Fribourg, Recensement cantonal des sites construits (SCRoL), district de la Broye, « Châtillon » (novembre 2025)
- Service de la statistique du canton de Fribourg (SStat), « Population des communes, de 1900 à 2025 » (T01-02-03), population résidante permanente au 31.12.2025
Other villages near Châtillon
Missing information, or do you have a source? Suggest a correction or addition. Every submission is checked before it's published.
Suggest a change