Lessoc
Origin of the name Lessoc
The village is named « Lessoz » in 1231, « Les Soz » in 1237 and « Lessot » around 1352. It may already appear in the pancarte of Rougemont, written in 1115, which records a gift by Count Wiferius to the priory. The meaning of the name remains unknown.[1][2]
Founding of Lessoc
Lessoc lies on the right bank of the Sarine, with the hamlet of Le Buth. In 1278 the lords of Corbières ceded their lands in the village to Peter II of Gruyère, who placed it in the banner and castellany of Montsalvens. For church matters Lessoc belonged to Broc, then to Grandvillard, before gaining its own parish in 1643. The village has stayed rural, centred on livestock and fodder crops. Lessoc is today a village of the municipality of Haut-Intyamon (merger of 1 January 2002).[1][2]
History of Lessoc
1228. The village passed from the parish of Broc to that of Grandvillard.[1]
1278. Peter II of Gruyère received the holdings of the lords of Corbières in Lessoc.[1][2]
1365. A chapel of Saint Martin is recorded in the village.[1][2]
1396. Count Rudolph IV freed the inhabitants from mortmain, in 1396 (or 1398).[1][2]
1555. Having become part of Fribourg, Lessoc joined the bailiwick of Gruyères while keeping its own court.[1]
Late 16th century. The inhabitants sought to break away from the parish of Grandvillard.[2]
1643. Lessoc became a parish. That same year, the house of François Fracheboud received its façade and panelling.[1][2][4]
1667. A wooden covered bridge crossed the Sarine on the path to Montbovon.[1][5]
1684. At Le Buth, the chapel of Notre-Dame-des-Neiges was built.[1]
1796. The mason Jacques Vicarino and the blacksmith Noé Both built the covered fountain on the square.[1][2][5]
1798-1848. Lessoc belonged to the district of Gruyères.[1]
Around 1920. The tufa and veined limestone quarries ceased operation.[1]
1969-1973. A dam was built on the Sarine.[1]
1993-1994. The parish church was restored.[1]
2002. On 1 January, Lessoc joined Albeuve, Montbovon and Neirivue in the municipality of Haut-Intyamon.[1][2]
Population of Lessoc
Sources and references: [1]
| 1811 | 232 |
| 1850 | 252 |
| 1900 | 331 |
| 1950 | 262 |
| 1980 | 142 |
| 2000 | 184 |
Historic sites in Lessoc
Covered fountain. Built in 1796 of Lessoc « marble », it has an octagonal limestone basin and a central column carrying an obelisk, under an eight-sided dome. It is listed as cultural property of national importance.[1][2][3][5]
Covered bridge. The wooden bridge of 1667 stands on the old stone path that linked Lessoc to Montbovon. The date is carved into the oak crossbeam on the right-bank side. It is listed in the inventory of cultural property (category B).[1][3][5]
House of François Fracheboud. A cultural property of national importance, this house on the Route de l'Ondine has a façade and panelling dated 1643. The entrance opens on the long side under eaves with carved brackets, and the windows have ogee lintels. A molasse stove decorated with rosettes bears the date 1683.[3][4]
Church of Saint Martin. The early 17th-century church replaced the chapel of Saint Martin recorded in 1365. It was restored in 1993-1994.[1][3]
Chapel of Notre-Dame-des-Neiges. Built in 1684 in the hamlet of Le Buth, it is listed in the inventory of cultural property (category B).[1][3]
Remains in Lessoc
Tufa and « marble » quarries. Lessoc quarried tufa and a veined limestone known as Lessoc « marble ». The quarries closed around 1920.[1]
Sources
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Lessoc » (Marianne Rolle, version du 26.09.2016)
- Commune de Haut-Intyamon, « Histoire de la commune »
- Office fédéral de la protection de la population, « Révision Inventaire PBC 2021 : Liste cantonale Canton de FR » (état au 1.1.2026)
- Inventaire PBC, fiche KGS 09977, « Maison de François Fracheboud », Lessoc (texte du Guide artistique de la Suisse, SHAS)
- Parc naturel régional Gruyère Pays-d'Enhaut, « Les Vias du fromage : Lessoc - Montbovon »
Other villages near Lessoc
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