Sonceboz-Sombeval
Origin of the name Sonceboz-Sombeval
The municipality bears the names of its two villages. Sombeval is recorded in 866 as « Summavallis », then as « Sommeval » in 1179. Sonceboz appears later, in 1303, under the name « Suntzelbo ».[1][2][3]
Founding of Sonceboz-Sombeval
The two villages lie at the foot of the Pierre-Pertuis pass, on the route linking Basel with the Swiss Plateau. Sombeval, the older one, is the seat of the parish, which covers the whole municipality. Sonceboz had only a few houses before 1800. It grew with the stagecoach relay, then in the 19th century with watchmaking and the railway, until it merged with Sombeval, which stayed rural. The school, the station and the post office are shared by the two villages.[1][3]
History of Sonceboz-Sombeval
1303. Sonceboz is named for the first time, as « Suntzelbo ».[1][2][3]
1315. A record of dues mentions a mill at Sonceboz.[2][3]
1530. The parish turns to the Reformation.[1]
1590-1931. The pastor of Corgémont serves Sonceboz-Sombeval.[1]
Early 18th century. Sonceboz becomes an important stagecoach relay between Bern and Basel. The journey takes 16 hours, the coaches have 24 seats and the fare is 72 batzen.[1][2][3]
1792-1793. With the French occupying Les Rangiers, Bern sends a regiment to Pierre-Pertuis in August 1792. Sonceboz remains a military post until April 1793.[2]
1797-1813. Under French rule the municipality belongs to the department of Mont-Terrible, then Haut-Rhin.[1]
1815. Joined to the canton of Bern, the municipality comes first under the bailiwick, then under the district of Courtelary.[1]
1838. The residents' commune is created, while the burghers' commune remains.[1]
1849. Sonceboz begins producing watch movement blanks.[1]
1874. The Biel/Bienne-Les Convers and Sonceboz-Tavannes lines open.[1]
1936. The Société industrielle de Sonceboz switches to making meters.[1]
1978. Bienna SA, a floor-covering manufacturer, is founded.[1]
1997. The connection to the A16 motorway makes the municipality more attractive and brings jobs.[1]
Population of Sonceboz-Sombeval
Sources and references: [1][4]
| 1453 | 14 households |
| 1801 | 331 |
| 1850 | 565 |
| 1900 | 1'158 |
| 1950 | 1'210 |
| 2000 | 1'666 |
| 2025 | 1'874 |
Historic sites in Sonceboz-Sombeval
Church of Sainte-Agathe. The parish church stands in Sombeval. It serves the whole municipality.[1][3]
Pierre-Pertuis pass. The municipality lies at the foot of the pass, a road and rail junction between Basel and the Swiss Plateau.[1][2]
Remains in Sonceboz-Sombeval
Roman road of Tournedos. East of Sonceboz, at the place called Tournedos, remains survive of the Roman road that crossed the Jura towards Petinesca. A few decades ago traces could still be seen near the Roche percée of Pierre-Pertuis.[1][2]
Sources
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Sonceboz-Sombeval » (Anne Beuchat-Bessire et Catherine Krüttli), version du 24.05.2013
- Commune de Sonceboz-Sombeval, « Histoire »
- Paroisses réformées de l'Erguël, « Sonceboz-Sombeval : la paroisse »
- Office fédéral de la statistique (OFS), STATPOP, population résidante permanente au 31.12.2025
Localities of the municipality with a page
Other villages near Sonceboz-Sombeval
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