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Villages / Fribourg / Gruyère district / Vaulruz

Vaulruz

Town Canton of Fribourg · District: Gruyère · 1'115 inhabitants (31.12.2025)
Origin of the name Founding Historical timeline Population over time Must-see historical sites Remains Sources and references Nearby villages

Origin of the name Vaulruz

The place is called « Valle Rodulphi » in 1115. The form « Vaulruz » appears in 1303, in a copy. The old German name is « Thalbach ». No explanation of the name has been given.[1]

Founding of Vaulruz

Vaulruz stretches along the road from Bulle to Châtel-Saint-Denis. A lordship gradually formed around the village, taking in the hamlets of Romanens, Sâles, Maules, Les Mollettes, Rueyres and Treyfayes. In the 13th century it belonged to the lords of Billens, then to the Blonay, before passing to Savoy. The castle is the seat of the lord, later of the bailiff.[1]

History of Vaulruz

1115. The place appears under the name « Valle Rodulphi ».[1]

13th century. The lordship is held by the lords of Billens, then by the Blonay.[1]

1308. The parish of Vaulruz separates from that of Riaz.[1]

1322. Louis II of Savoy, baron of Vaud, frees the inhabitants from mortmain and grants them the franchises of Moudon. Mermet de Blonay and his wife keep the vidame's rights.[1]

1355. Vaulruz has 85 houses.[1]

1359. The lordship passes to the count of Savoy.[1]

1387. Jacques and Antoine Champion, of Saint-Michel-de-Maurienne, buy the lordship.[1]

1468. Only 34 houses remain.[1]

1538. The widow of François Champion sells the lordship to Fribourg, which makes it the bailiwick of Vaulruz until 1798.[1]

1561. A fire destroys part of the village.[1]

1603. The chapel of Saint Protasius is consecrated. It long draws pilgrims.[1]

1798-1848. Vaulruz belongs to the district of Bulle.[1]

1819. The present church of Saint Margaret is consecrated. The first church stood further east.[1]

1820. Another fire strikes part of the village.[1]

1868. The Bulle-Romont line runs north of the municipality.[1]

around 1880. A first oratory is built at La Verguenaz.[1]

1903. The Bulle-Châtel-Saint-Denis line serves the south of the municipality.[1]

1965. The present chapel of Notre-Dame de la Verguenaz is built.[1]

Population of Vaulruz

Sources and references: [1][3]

Population of Vaulruz
135585 houses
146834 houses
1811453
1850496
1900721
1950799
1970647
2000875
20251'115

Historic sites in Vaulruz

Castle. Massive and square in plan, it probably dates from the 13th century (or from the early 14th century, under Louis of Savoy) and predates the Savoyard fortresses with round towers at Bulle and Romont. Louis II of Savoy remodelled it. A feudal residence, it became the bailiff's residence, then a presbytery and an orphanage. It now houses a group accommodation centre with 120 beds.[1][2]

Church of Saint Margaret. Consecrated in 1819, it replaced the original church, which stood east of the present building.[1]

Chapel of Saint Protasius. Consecrated in 1603 and once a pilgrimage goal, it is now closed.[1]

Chapel of Notre-Dame de la Verguenaz. A place of pilgrimage, it succeeded in 1965 a first oratory built around 1880.[1]

Remains in Vaulruz

Bronze pin. A bronze pin has been found at Vaulruz, but it is not enough to prove a Roman settlement.[1]

Sources

  1. Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Vaulruz » (François Genoud, version du 02.07.2013)
  2. Fribourg Région, « Le Château à Vaulruz »
  3. 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 Vaulruz

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