Champmartin

Canton of Vaud · District: Broye-Vully · At the time of its merger with Cudrefin in 2002, Champmartin had 33 inhabitants, a level close to that of the early 20th century after a long decline from its peak attested in the 18th century.

Part of the municipality of Cudrefin

Origin of the name Founding Historical timeline Population over time Must-see historical sites Remains Sources and references Nearby villages

Origin of the name Champmartin

The oldest known written mention of the village's name dates from 1425, in the form Champmartin, a spelling that has remained unchanged to this day. No reliable source consulted allows the exact origin of this place name to be established with certainty. A composition around the word champ (from the Latin campus, field) combined with a proper name or with the cult of Saint Martin is sometimes mentioned in general for this type of regional place name, but this interpretation remains a hypothesis that could not be cross-checked against a source specific to Champmartin and must therefore not be regarded as established.

Founding of Champmartin

No reliable source documents a precise founding act or an identified founder for Champmartin. The village appears, from the Middle Ages, as part of the châtellenie (castellany) of Cudrefin. The oldest event dated with certainty goes back to 1382, when the village community bought back from Guillaume de Grandson rights linked to a mill (the messellerie) as well as pastures, which attests to feudal ties with the House of Grandson at that time. In the 18th century, the locality was administered by an assembly of communiers (co-citizens).

History of Champmartin

1382. The community of Champmartin buys back from Guillaume de Grandson rights linked to a mill (the messellerie) as well as pastures.

1425. First known written mention of the village's name, in the form Champmartin.

1536. After the Bernese conquest of the Pays de Vaud, the village is integrated into the Bernese bailiwick of Avenches, where it remains until 1798.

1681. Founding of a school in the village.

1798. End of Bernese rule with the Vaud Revolution; the territory subsequently becomes part of the district of Avenches.

1855. First excavation of a Bronze Age lakeshore settlement on the village's territory.

1881. New excavation of the Bronze Age lakeshore settlement.

1890. Closure of the village school.

1920. New excavation campaign at the Bronze Age lakeshore settlement.

1930. Construction of the first small chalets on the lakeshore.

1950. Beginning of the construction of second homes on the cliffs overlooking the lake.

1984. Disappearance of the market-gardening crops that supplied the markets of Neuchâtel.

1997. Start of the merger procedure between Champmartin and Cudrefin.

2002. On 1 January, Champmartin merges with Cudrefin to form the present-day municipality of Cudrefin; the coat of arms of the merged municipality is amended to incorporate symbols recalling the two former municipalities.

2006. The district of Avenches, to which the territory of the former Champmartin belonged, is dissolved as part of the reorganisation of the Vaud districts; the territory joins the new district of Broye-Vully.

Population of Champmartin

5 hearths (households)

1550

1764

1850

1900

1950

1960

2000

Historic sites in Champmartin

The street-village on the shore of lac de Neuchâtel. Champmartin presents itself as a small street-village built on the eastern shore of lac de Neuchâtel, below or atop cliffs overlooking the water depending on the neighbourhood.

The reedbed of the Grande Cariçaie. The territory of the former Champmartin borders the Grande Cariçaie, the largest lakeside reedbed in Switzerland. The designation of this nature reserve led to the planned removal of the small chalets built on the shore since the 1930s.

Remains in Champmartin

Bronze Age lakeshore settlement. A Bronze Age settlement was identified and excavated on three occasions, in 1855, 1881 and 1920, evidence of occupation of the shore of lac de Neuchâtel long before the founding of the medieval village.

Tumulus in the Charmontel woods. A tumulus, an ancient burial mound, is recorded in the Charmontel woods, on the territory of the former municipality.

Sources

Other villages near Champmartin

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