Givisiez
Origin of the name Givisiez
The place appears in 1142 in the form « Juvinsie ». Until the early 19th century it was written « Juvisy », and the old German name is « Siebenzach ». The etymology of these forms is unknown.[1]
Founding of Givisiez
The territory of Givisiez, which borders Fribourg, was settled long before the Middle Ages: traces of protohistoric occupation and the ruins of a modest Gallo-Roman settlement have been found here. In the Middle Ages Givisiez was a fief of the lords of Estavayer, then of the Englisberg family. In 1290 it became the property of wealthy burghers of Fribourg, before passing to the d'Affry family in the 15th century. The parish, mentioned from 1228, also covers Granges-Paccot, which belonged to the municipality until 1793. Under the Ancien Régime Givisiez was attached to the Old Lands of Fribourg, in the banner of the Neuveville.[1][2]
History of Givisiez
Protohistory and Roman period. Traces of protohistoric occupation and the ruins of a modest Gallo-Roman settlement have been found on the municipal territory.[1]
1142. The place is recorded as « Juvinsie ».[1]
1228. The parish of Givisiez is mentioned for the first time.[1]
1290. Formerly a fief of the lords of Estavayer and then of the Englisberg family, Givisiez becomes the property of wealthy burghers of Fribourg.[1]
15th century. The lordship passes to the d'Affry family.[1]
1539. The d'Affry family builds a manor.[1]
17th century. The Boccard family also has its castle at Givisiez.[1]
1703. A second d'Affry manor rises in the village.[1]
1793. Granges-Paccot separates from Givisiez and becomes a municipality, while remaining in the parish.[1][2]
1798-1848. Givisiez belongs to the district of Fribourg.[1]
1812. The village opens its first school.[1]
1876. The Fribourg-Payerne railway line crosses the municipality.[1]
1903. The Fribourg-Morat line is added, completing the Fribourg-Belfaux and Fribourg-Corminboeuf roads.[1]
Early 20th century. The population grows sharply with the arrival of French nuns in the aftermath of the Combes laws.[1]
1951. A pioneer in the field, the municipality adopts a land-use plan, carried over into those of 1978 and 1997.[1]
1963. Givisiez joins an intermunicipal consortium for the water supply.[1]
1990. The Théâtre des Osses, founded in 1979, settles in Givisiez.[1]
2004. Foreign nationals make up more than 20 % of the population.[1]
Population of Givisiez
Sources and references: [1][3]
| 1811 | 125 |
| 1850 | 151 |
| 1900 | 193 |
| 1950 | 480 |
| 1980 | 1'009 |
| 1990 | 1'775 |
| 2000 | 2'291 |
| 2025 | 3'507 |
Historic sites in Givisiez
D'Affry manor of 1539. Built by the d'Affry family in 1539, the manor is now a home for the elderly.[1]
Boccard castle. Seigneurial residence of the 17th century.[1]
Second d'Affry manor. Manor built in 1703 by the same family.[1]
Théâtre des Osses. Theatre company founded in 1979 and based in Givisiez since 1990.[1]
Remains in Givisiez
Gallo-Roman settlement. The ruins of a modest Roman-period settlement have been identified on the municipal territory, together with traces of an earlier, protohistoric occupation.[1]
Sources
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Givisiez » (Georges Andrey, version de 2004 remaniée le 29.03.2007)
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Granges-Paccot » (Martin Nicoulin, version du 17.07.2007)
- 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 Givisiez
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