Sévaz
Origin of the name Sévaz
The place is recorded in 1056 as « Silva », Latin for forest. The name recalls the woods that covered the area until the 14th century.[1][2]
Founding of Sévaz
Sévaz stands on the plateau between Lake Neuchâtel and the Broye plain, in the Estavayer-le-Lac enclave, and the village grew up in an area then covered by forest. In the 12th century a small priory dependent on the canons of the Great St Bernard settles here, perhaps founded by the d'Estavayer family, and its chapel of Saint-Nicolas survives. Around 1350 the village belongs to the mandement of Estavayer. Long agricultural and away from the main roads, Sévaz is a slightly raised street village.[1][2]
History of Sévaz
1056. The place appears under the name « Silva ».[1]
1167. A small priory dependent on the canons of the Great St Bernard is recorded for the first time.[1]
Around 1350. Sévaz belongs to the mandement of Estavayer.[1]
After 1484. A hoard of coins is buried in the village.[1]
1528. After the prior is expelled, the priory is incorporated for the first time into the chapter of Saint-Nicolas in Fribourg.[1]
1602. The incorporation into the Fribourg chapter becomes permanent. It lasts until 1849.[1]
1847. A fire devastates the village.[1]
1905. Pastoral care passes from the parish of Estavayer to that of Bussy.[1]
1968. The cantonal road from Estavayer to Payerne is built, and the village grows markedly.[2]
1981. An industrial zone is laid out away from the village, near the Estavayer to Payerne road.[1][2]
1984. A residential quarter appears. Its villas, home to newcomers mostly working in services, fill the former orchard west of the core.[1][2]
Population of Sévaz
Sources and references: [1][3]
| 1811 | 52 |
| 1850 | 64 |
| 1900 | 77 |
| 1950 | 105 |
| 2000 | 145 |
| 2025 | 324 |
Historic sites in Sévaz
Chapel of Saint-Nicolas. Chapel of the 12th century (or the 14th century), founded by the canons of the Great St Bernard. Its doorway dates from the second half of the 15th century.[1][2]
Remains in Sévaz
Coin hoard. A coin hoard buried after 1484 has been found at Sévaz.[1]
Sources
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Sévaz » (Marianne Rolle, version du 02.05.2013)
- Service des biens culturels du canton de Fribourg, Recensement cantonal des sites construits (SCRoL), district de la Broye, « Sévaz » (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 Sévaz
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