Montalchez

Canton of Neuchâtel · Region: Littoral · 240 inhabitants (2017, former municipality of Montalchez)

Part of the municipality of La Grande Béroche

Origin of the name Founding Historical timeline Population over time Must-see historical sites Remains Sources and references Nearby villages

Origin of the name Montalchez

Montalchez is first mentioned in 1340 in the Latin form « villa de Montallichie ». The name is said to come from the Roman personal name Allicus combined with Latin « mons » (mount): literally « Allicus's mount » (to be cross-checked).

Founding of Montalchez

Montalchez does not stem from any known act of foundation. The area was frequented long before the Middle Ages: it has several cup-marked stones, traces of the Roman road of the Vy d'Etra, presumed Roman foundations at the place called Sous la Ville and a Burgundian cemetery, La Chambrette. The village, mentioned in 1340, originally belonged to the allodial estate of Gorgier, which passed to the lords of Estavayer in the 13th century; the castellany of Gorgier became a fief of the house of Neuchâtel in 1344. Montalchez is part of the Béroche region and belongs to the parish of Saint-Aubin. Its territory also included the hamlet of Erperens, mentioned in 1340 and vanished by the end of the 18th century. The fief of Gorgier was abolished in 1848.

History of Montalchez

13th century. Montalchez belongs to the allodial estate of Gorgier, which passes into the hands of the lords of Estavayer.

1340. First known written mention of the village, in the Latin form « villa de Montallichie ». The neighbouring hamlet of Erperens is mentioned the same year (« villula de Orperens »).

1344. The castellany of Gorgier, to which Montalchez belongs, becomes a fief of the house of Neuchâtel.

1359-1378. The lordship of Gorgier comes under the direct control of the House of Neuchâtel, before returning to the d'Estavayer family in 1378.

1433. Jean de Neuchâtel-Vaumarcus becomes lord of Gorgier.

1648. The Principality of Neuchâtel, on which the region depends, is recognised as a principality within the Holy Roman Empire.

1707. Personal union with the Kingdom of Prussia: the King of Prussia becomes Prince of Neuchâtel.

18th-19th century. The village retains a compact and homogeneous rural architecture, with farmhouses typical of this period.

late 18th century. The hamlet of Erperens disappears. From the late 18th century into the 19th century, a small part of the population works in crafts, especially lace-making.

1806. Neuchâtel is ceded by Prussia to Napoleon I, who turns it into a principality for his marshal Berthier.

1815. Neuchâtel joins the Swiss Confederation as the 21st canton, while simultaneously remaining a Prussian principality until 1857.

1848. The fief of Gorgier, on which Montalchez depended, is abolished.

20th century. The village, still essentially agricultural, loses inhabitants: from 314 in 1900 the population falls to 135 in 1970, before rising again to 240 in 2017.

31 December 2017. Last day of existence of Montalchez as an independent municipality; it then has 240 inhabitants.

1 January 2018. Montalchez merges with Bevaix, Gorgier, Saint-Aubin-Sauges, Vaumarcus and Fresens to form the new municipality of La Grande Béroche, in the district of Boudry.

Population of Montalchez

178 (38 houses)

1750

338

1850

314

1900

207

1950

135

1970

184

2000

236

2010

240

2017

Historic sites in Montalchez

The historic village of Montalchez. Montalchez has a clustered and compact settlement pattern, with farmhouses typical of the 18th and 19th centuries, forming a homogeneous village image characteristic of the agricultural villages of the Béroche hinterland.

Attachment to the parish of Saint-Aubin-Sauges. Montalchez has no church of its own: the village belongs to the parish of Saint-Aubin, lower down the slope.

The vanished hamlet of Erperens. The territory of the former municipality included the hamlet of Erperens, mentioned in 1340 as « villula de Orperens » and vanished by the end of the 18th century.

The municipal coat of arms. The coat of arms of the former municipality of Montalchez is blazoned: party per pale argent and gules, a rose counterchanged (to be cross-checked).

Remains in Montalchez

Traces of the Roman road Vy d'Etra. The territory of Montalchez preserves traces of the Roman road of the Vy d'Etra, which ran along the foot of the Neuchâtel Jura.

Burgundian cemetery of La Chambrette. A cemetery of the Burgundian period has been uncovered at the place called La Chambrette.

Cup-marked stones and foundations at Sous la Ville. Several cup-marked stones have been found in the territory of Montalchez, as well as presumed Roman foundations at the place called Sous la Ville.

Sources

Other villages near Montalchez

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