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Villages / Bern / Former Moutier district / Perrefitte

Perrefitte

Canton of Bern · Former district: Moutier · 486 inhabitants (31.12.2025)
Origin of the name Founding Historical timeline Population over time Must-see historical sites Sources and references Nearby villages

Origin of the name Perrefitte

The name appears in 1295 as «Pierefite». The village also had a German name, Beffert.[1]

Founding of Perrefitte

Perrefitte lies west of Moutier, along the Chalière. Until 1797 it belonged to the provostship of Moutier-Grandval, in the prince-bishopric of Basel. It had only 81 inhabitants in 1755. After the Reformation, services were held at the chapel of Chalières, seat of a parish shared with Champoz and served from Moutier. Farming until mechanics and bar turning arrived, the village followed the ups and downs of the industry of the Moutier valley. It had 569 inhabitants in 1970.[1]

History of Perrefitte

1295. The village is mentioned as «Pierefite». It belongs to the provostship of Moutier-Grandval, in the prince-bishopric of Basel.[1]

1531. With the Reformation, the chapel of Chalières becomes the place of worship of a new parish uniting Perrefitte and Champoz, served by the pastor of Moutier.[1]

1746. Champoz is detached from the double parish of Moutier-Chalières.[1]

1797. Perrefitte leaves the provostship and passes to the French department of Mont-Terrible, then to that of Haut-Rhin.[1]

1815. The village joins the canton of Bern, first the bailiwick, then the district of Moutier.[1]

19th century. Perrefitte cedes Chalières to the parish of Moutier.[1]

1865. Perrefitte sets up a municipal commune and a burgher commune.[1]

Population of Perrefitte

Sources and references: [1][2]

Population of Perrefitte
175581
1850236
1900419
1950403
1970569
2000476
2010473
2020480
2025486

Historic sites in Perrefitte

La Chalière. Stream that runs through the village, west of Moutier.

Sources

  1. Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Perrefitte » (Christine Gagnebin-Diacon), version du 15.01.2026
  2. Office fédéral de la statistique (OFS), STATPOP, population résidante permanente au 31.12.2025

Other villages near Perrefitte

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