Font
Origin of the name Font
The name « Font » appears in 1011, in the charter that calls the castle a « regale castellum ». Its meaning has not been established.[1]
Founding of Font
Font grew up around a castle of the kings of Burgundy, near the shore of Lake Neuchâtel, where Neolithic and Bronze Age settlements are known. The lordship of Font included Cheyres, and the lordship of La Molière was carved out of it in the early 14th century. The parish, which joined Font and Châbles, already existed in 1228. A farming village where chestnuts were also grown in the 18th century, Font has become a home for commuters. It joined Estavayer-le-Lac in 2012 and is now part of the municipality of Estavayer (merger of 2017).[1]
History of Font
1011. King Rudolph III of Burgundy gives his betrothed Ermengarde several properties, among them the castle of Font.[1]
1228. The parish of Font and Châbles is recorded.[1]
1267. Aymon de Blonay hands overlordship of Font to Peter II of Savoy.[1]
Early 14th century. The lordship of La Molière splits off from that of Font.[1]
14th century. A chapel dedicated to Saint Anthony is recorded.[1]
1475. The Confederates burn the castle.[1]
1488. The rights of the Estavayer-Chenaux family at Font pass to Fribourg.[1]
1520. Font, Châbles and Châtillon form a bailiwick.[1]
1536. The bailiwick of Font is united with La Molière.[1]
1608. After the purchase of the lordship of Vuissens the bailiwick is renamed Font-Vuissens, and the bailiff's residence moves from Font to Vuissens.[1]
1735. A foundation is set up to support a school.[1]
1801. Font, Châbles and Châtillon divide their common property.[1]
1803-1848. Font belongs to the district of Estavayer-le-Lac.[1]
2012. On 1 January Font merges with the town of Estavayer-le-Lac, under a law of 4 November 2011.[1][3][4]
2017. Estavayer-le-Lac and six other municipalities form the new municipality of Estavayer.[1]
Population of Font
Sources and references: [1]
| 1811 | 207 |
| 1850 | 233 |
| 1900 | 206 |
| 1950 | 237 |
| 1980 | 192 |
| 2000 | 267 |
Historic sites in Font
Church of Saint-Sulpice. The choir is Romanesque and the nave dates from 1560. The right of patronage belonged to the Franciscan friary in Fribourg from the late 16th century until 1848. The building is listed as a cultural property of regional importance (B object).[1][2]
Remains in Font
Castle of Font. Called a royal castle in 1011, it was the seat of the lordship and later of the bailiwick of Font until the bailiff's residence moved to Vuissens after 1608.[1]
La Vuardaz. The site of a Gallo-Roman villa at La Vuardaz is listed as a cultural property of regional importance (B object).[2]
Shore and finds. Neolithic and Bronze Age lakeside settlements are known on the shore, and Roman coins have been found at Font.[1]
Sources
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Font » (Marianne Rolle, version de 2003, remanié le 06.04.2017)
- Office fédéral de la protection de la population, « Révision Inventaire PBC 2021 : liste cantonale, canton de Fribourg » (état au 1.1.2026)
- État de Fribourg, Recueil systématique (RSF 141.1.2), « Liste chronologique des fusions, divisions et changements de nom des communes »
- Commune d'Estavayer, « Estavayer-le-Lac (Ville) »
Other villages near Font
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