Chézard-Saint-Martin

Canton of Neuchâtel · Region: Val-de-Ruz · 1'820 inhabitants (31.12.2012, former municipality of Chézard-Saint-Martin, last census before the merger)

Part of the municipality of Val-de-Ruz

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

Origin of the name Chézard-Saint-Martin

The name joins two place names. Saint-Martin is recorded in 998 in the form « Sancto Martino »: it comes from the patron of the church, Saint Martin of Tours. The two Chézards appear later: Petit-Chézard in 1143 in the form « Esser », Grand-Chézard in 1285 in the form « Chesas ». Chézard is said to derive from the Late Latin « casale », a rural estate or group of farm buildings, like Chesalles (to be cross-checked).

Founding of Chézard-Saint-Martin

No founder is known. A 2nd-century Roman villa, discovered in 1870, attests early occupation. The church of Saint-Martin was already a parish church in 998 and depended on the priory of Bevaix. The municipality brought together three villages: Saint-Martin, Grand-Chézard and Petit-Chézard. From the 14th century they jointly regulated the use and upkeep of forests and pastures (1531), bake ovens (1629), roads (1629) and fountains (1782). In the early 14th century the prior of Môtiers held court at Chézard two years out of three. The Pertuis pass links the Erguël to Neuchâtel across the territory.

History of Chézard-Saint-Martin

2nd century. A Roman villa is built in the area; it will be discovered in 1870.

998. First mention of Saint-Martin, in the form « Sancto Martino »: the church is already a parish church and depends on the priory of Bevaix.

1143. First mention of Petit-Chézard, in the form « Esser ».

1285. First mention of Grand-Chézard, in the form « Chesas ».

early 14th century. The prior of Môtiers holds court at Chézard two years out of three.

15th-16th century. A rectangular choir is built onto the church of Saint-Martin.

1531. The three villages jointly regulate the use of forests and pastures. Chézard-Saint-Martin then has 28 hearths.

1629. The three villages jointly regulate bake ovens and roads.

1633. The baptismal font of the temple is carved.

1681. Construction of the present bell tower, dated by an inscription on its south front.

1684. Rebuilding of the church of Saint-Martin: the medieval choir is demolished and the nave enlarged.

1693. A stained-glass window with the arms of the burghers of Valangin adorns the temple; it is now kept at the Musée d'art et d'histoire de Neuchâtel.

1715. Jean Labran introduces calico (indienne) printing.

18th century. Bernese farmers settle on the heights.

1753. Grand-Chézard is detached from the parish of Fontaines-Cernier.

1755. A stair rail leading to the temple gallery is installed.

1782. The three villages jointly regulate the use and upkeep of the fountains.

1819-1900. Life of Ami Girard, a republican figure from the village (to be cross-checked).

1835-1902. Life of Fritz Girard, remembered locally as a generous benefactor of the municipality (to be cross-checked).

around 1895. A watch factory works with the village's small watchmaking workshops.

1922-1924. Land consolidation, after a first half of the 20th century marked by stagnation.

1926-1957. Henri-Wilhelm Jacot is municipal administrator (to be cross-checked).

1956. Chézard-Saint-Martin gradually becomes a residential locality, with a few apartment blocks, many detached houses and some small businesses.

1970-1976. Stained glass by Paul Duckert, of the Taizé workshop, is installed in the temple.

1998. Publication of the book « Chézard-Saint-Martin » by Maurice Evard, for the millennium of the first mention of Saint-Martin.

21 March 2011. Signing of the merger agreement of the fifteen Val-de-Ruz municipalities (to be cross-checked).

1 January 2013. Chézard-Saint-Martin merges with Boudevilliers, Cernier, Coffrane, Dombresson, Engollon, Fenin-Vilars-Saules, Fontainemelon, Fontaines, Le Pâquier, Les Geneveys-sur-Coffrane, Les Hauts-Geneveys, Montmollin, Savagnier and Villiers to form the municipality of Val-de-Ruz.

Population of Chézard-Saint-Martin

28 hearths (households)

1531

777

1850

1'061

1900

920

1941

974

1950

1'601

2000

1'820

2012

Historic sites in Chézard-Saint-Martin

The temple of Saint-Martin. A parish church since 998, it keeps Romanesque masonry in places. Its rectangular 15th-16th-century choir was demolished in 1684 when the nave was enlarged; the bell tower dates from 1681 and the baptismal font from 1633. The 1693 window with the arms of the burghers of Valangin is kept at the Musée d'art et d'histoire de Neuchâtel; the windows received stained glass by Paul Duckert in 1970-1976.

The village of Saint-Martin. A former street village, Saint-Martin keeps a linear layout that is still legible despite the apartment blocks built in the 20th century, which brought it closer to Cernier and Fontainemelon.

Rue Jean-Labran. The main street is named after Jean Labran, who introduced calico printing in 1715. Two farmhouses, at numbers 4 and 6, are said to be listed as cultural property of national importance (to be cross-checked).

The Pertuis pass. This pass links the Erguël, in the Bernese Jura, to Neuchâtel. Bernese farmers settled on the heights from the 18th century.

Remains in Chézard-Saint-Martin

The Roman villa. A 2nd-century Roman villa was discovered in 1870 in the territory of the former municipality; a local tradition had indeed spoken of a Gallo-Roman settler south of Grand-Chézard.

The Romanesque masonry of the temple. Romanesque masonry survives in the oldest part of the temple of Saint-Martin, heavily altered in 1681-1684.

Sources

Other villages near Chézard-Saint-Martin

Missing information, or do you have a source? Suggest a correction or addition. Every submission is checked before it's published.

Suggest a change