Nuvilly
Origin of the name Nuvilly
Recorded in 1242 as « Nuovillie », the village's name has no certain explanation.[1]
Founding of Nuvilly
Nuvilly lies at the southern tip of the Estavayer-le-Lac enclave, on the south-east side of the Petite Glâne valley above the Broye valley. In 1242 Conon d'Estavayer already owns property here, and in the 14th century the village belongs to the lordship of Estavayer, in the Chenaux share. The villagers belonged to the parish of Cugy until 1586, with the abbey of Hauterive holding the right of collation. The old village, below the road, is laid out in a star around the church, with 18th- and 19th-century masonry farmhouses. Cereal growing and livestock farming are the main activities.[1][2]
History of Nuvilly
1242. Conon d'Estavayer owns property at « Nuovillie ».[1]
1317. A chapel is recorded in the village.[1][2]
1338. The men of Payerne burn Nuvilly.[1]
14th century. The village belongs to the lordship of Estavayer, in the Chenaux branch.[1]
15th-17th centuries. The lords of La Molière hold certain rights at Nuvilly.[1]
After the Burgundian Wars. Nuvilly comes under Fribourg rule.[1]
1536. The village becomes part of the bailiwick of Estavayer.[1]
1586. Nuvilly, until then attached to Cugy, becomes a parish, which also includes Aumont until 1878.[1]
1642. A fire strikes the village.[1]
1687-1690. The new church of Saint-Jacques is built to plans by the parish priest Joseph Renevey, modelled on the church at Montet.[1][2]
1690-1692. The joiner and sculptor Jean-Pierre Broye, from Nuvilly, makes the church's altarpieces.[2]
Early 18th century. A school is founded.[1]
1798. Nuvilly is in the district of Estavayer until 1803, then in that of Surpierre until 1848.[1]
1880s. The cantonal road from Payerne to Thierrens is laid out above the old village, bypassing it.[2]
1908. The primary school, in Heimatstil, is built in line with the church.[2]
2005. Farming still provides 60 % of the municipality's jobs.[1]
Population of Nuvilly
Sources and references: [1][3]
| 1811 | 262 |
| 1850 | 390 |
| 1900 | 389 |
| 1950 | 318 |
| 1970 | 238 |
| 2000 | 294 |
| 2025 | 493 |
Historic sites in Nuvilly
Church of Saint-Jacques. Rural Baroque church built from 1687 to 1690 and given its altarpieces by Jean-Pierre Broye in 1690-1692. Refitted in 1830-1840, 1860 and 1920-1930, it was restored in 1952-1953 and 2006-2007.[1][2]
Primary school. Heimatstil building of 1908, in line with the church.[2]
Municipal offices and former tavern. In the upper village they stand at the crossing of the old roads from Sassel to Champtauroz and from Estavayer to Échallens.[2]
Sources
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Nuvilly » (Marianne Rolle, version du 19.08.2009)
- Service des biens culturels du canton de Fribourg, Recensement cantonal des sites construits (SCRoL), district de la Broye, « Nuvilly » (février 2026)
- 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 Nuvilly
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