Léchelles
Origin of the name Léchelles
Léchelles is mentioned in 1243 in the form « Leschieres ». In German the village was once called Leitern.[1]
Founding of Léchelles
In the 12th century the lords of Belmont, vassals of the Montagny, built their castle on the territory of Léchelles, and the village belonged to the Montagny throughout the Middle Ages. Lying on the edge of Fribourg's Old Lands, it was a toll point where Fribourg merchants paid no duty. Léchelles has kept its rural character: tobacco still mattered at the beginning of the 20th century, and there were eighteen farms in 2000. In 1859 the village took over the parish seat from Chandon, and in 1994 it united the two municipalities. Léchelles is now part of the municipality of Belmont-Broye (merger of 2016).[1][2]
History of Léchelles
Neolithic. A grave is laid out on the village territory.[1]
12th century. The lords of Belmont build their castle on the territory of Léchelles.[1][2]
1173. The knight Otto of Belmont is the first known member of the lineage.[2]
1243. The village appears in the form « Leschieres ».[1]
1298. Aymon of Belmont cedes part of his property to the Montagny, and another part in 1304.[2]
1376. Pierre of Belmont, son of Perrod, is the last known representative of the family.[2]
1427. The chapel of Saint-Jean-Baptiste is mentioned.[1]
1478. Léchelles joins Fribourg's bailiwick of Montagny.[1]
1640. A new sanctuary replaces the chapel and is blessed.[1][4]
1747. The chapel is rebuilt. The building is consecrated the same year.[1][4]
Mid-18th century. The de Gottrau family has its manor house built.[1]
1798-1848. The village belongs to the district of Payerne from 1798 to 1803, to that of Montagny until 1830, then to that of Dompierre until 1848.[1]
1859. Léchelles succeeds Chandon as the seat of the parish.[1][3]
1876. A station opens on the Fribourg-Payerne line.[1]
Early 20th century. Tobacco growing remains important.[1]
1954. The chapel is enlarged.[1][4]
1994. Léchelles merges with Chandon, under a decree of 27 May 1994.[1][5]
1996. A large stained-glass window by Yoki is installed in the choir.[4]
2016. On 1 January Léchelles merges with Domdidier, Dompierre and Russy to form Belmont-Broye.[1][6]
Population of Léchelles
Sources and references: [1][6]
| 1811 | 174 |
| 1850 | 222 |
| 1900 | 271 |
| 1950 | 311 |
| 1980 | 289 |
| 2000 | 503 (with Chandon) |
| 2013 | 666 |
Historic sites in Léchelles
Church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste. A former chapel recorded in 1427, rebuilt in 1747 and enlarged in 1954, it has four stained-glass windows by Yoki showing Saint Agatha, Saint Theodulus, Saint Garin and Saint George, as well as the large choir window of 1996.[1][4]
De Gottrau house. This mid-18th-century manor house has a façade painted in trompe-l'œil by Melchior Eggmann and keeps 18th-century wallpapers.[1]
Remains in Léchelles
Castle of the lords of Belmont. The castle built in the 12th century probably stood on the hill of Grand Belmont, where only scant remains of a fortified castle survive.[1][2]
Neolithic grave and Roman find. A Neolithic grave and an isolated Roman find have been discovered at Léchelles.[1]
Sources
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Léchelles » (Marianne Rolle, version du 26.09.2016)
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Belmont (FR) » (Ernst Tremp, version du 11.11.2016)
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Chandon » (Gérard Guisolan, version du 10.10.2016)
- Unité pastorale Notre-Dame de Tours, « Paroisse de Notre-Dame du Belmont »
- État de Fribourg, Recueil systématique (RSF 141.1.2), « Liste chronologique des fusions, divisions et changements de nom des communes »
- Conseil d'État du canton de Fribourg, message 2015-DIAF-26 du 31 mars 2015 accompagnant le projet de loi relatif à la fusion des communes de Domdidier, Dompierre, Léchelles et Russy
Other villages near Léchelles
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