Mézières
Origin of the name Mézières
The name appears from 1179 in the Latin form « de Maseriis », with no known explanation.[1]
Founding of Mézières
Mézières lies on the road from Romont to Bulle. A castle is mentioned there from 1179, and the parish, in the deanery of Ogo, is recorded in 1228. The lordship, formed at the end of the 14th century, was under Savoy until 1536, then under Fribourg. The Bonvillars family held it until 1547, after which other owners followed, among them the Diesbach family of Fribourg and the burghers' hospital of Fribourg. The village long lived from farming alone. In the 2000s more than two thirds of the working population had jobs elsewhere. Since 2004 the municipality has included Berlens.[1][2]
History of Mézières
1179. Mézières appears as « de Maseriis ». The castle is mentioned from this date.[1]
1228. The parish of Mézières, in the deanery of Ogo, is recorded.[1][2]
End of the 14th century. A lordship is formed under the authority of Savoy.[1][2]
1536. Mézières comes under Fribourg and joins the bailiwick of Romont.[1]
1547. The Bonvillars family gives up the lordship, which then passes through several hands.[1]
1627-1654. The Diesbach family of Fribourg holds the lordship for the first time.[1]
1756-1798. The Diesbach family holds the lordship again. The castle owes its 18th-century remodelling to them.[1]
1780-1830. The Diesbach family renews the interior decoration. Frédéric-François-Victor de Diesbach, an officer in French service, has the salons covered with French wallpapers in the latest fashion.[3][4]
1798-1848. Mézières belongs to the Romont district.[1]
1871. The Diesbach family parts with the castle.[1][2]
1926. An oratory is built at the edge of the Mézières forest.[2]
1937-1939. The new church of Saint-Pierre-aux-Liens is built to plans by the architect Fernand Dumas.[1][2]
1994. A major restoration of the castle begins, with the cantonal cultural heritage service.[3]
2003. On 2 December the Grand Council adopts the decree merging Berlens and Mézières.[5]
2004. Berlens joins the municipality of Mézières.[1][2][5]
2007. In October the Musée du papier peint opens in the castle, where twelve period salons have been restored.[2][4]
Population of Mézières
Sources and references: [1][6]
| 1811 | 278 |
| 1850 | 322 |
| 1900 | 406 |
| 1950 | 421 |
| 1980 | 461 |
| 2000 | 674 |
| 2025 | 1'217 |
Historic sites in Mézières
Castle and Musée du papier peint. A fortified house stood here in the 16th century, and the castle took on its present appearance in the 18th century. It is one of the last castles built in the canton. Its salons keep a rare set of wallpapers from the late 18th and early 19th centuries, including pieces from the Réveillon manufactory in Paris.[1][2][3][4]
Church of Saint-Pierre-aux-Liens. Built from 1937 to 1939 by the architect Fernand Dumas.[1][2]
Forest oratory. Small oratory put up in 1926 at the entrance to the Mézières forest.[2]
Remains in Mézières
Roman villa. Remains of a Roman villa have been found at Mézières.[1]
Sources
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Mézières (FR) » (Evelyne Maradan, version du 26.09.2016)
- Commune de Mézières (FR), « Vivre à Mézières » (histoire)
- Musée du papier peint, Mézières, « Histoire »
- Association des musées suisses (museums.ch), « Musée du papier peint »
- État de Fribourg, Recueil systématique (RSF 141.1.2), « Liste chronologique des fusions, divisions et changements de nom des communes »
- 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
Localities of the municipality with a page
Other villages near Mézières
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