Combremont-le-Grand

Canton of Vaud · District: Broye-Vully · about 300 inhabitants (2009, the last year before the merger)

Part of the municipality of Valbroye

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

Origin of the name Combremont-le-Grand

The place name is first attested in 911 in the form "Cumbromo", then in 1142 in the form "Combremont", a form that has remained stable since. This same root and these same attestation dates are found for the neighbouring village of Combremont-le-Petit, which indicates a shared toponymic origin for the two localities before their later administrative and parish separation. The exact meaning of the name, probably composed of the elements "combe" (small valley, hollow) and "mont" (hill), remains to be cross-checked for lack of a detailed etymological study in the sources consulted. The qualifier "le Grand" appears later, to distinguish the village from the smaller neighbouring Combremont-le-Petit.

Founding of Combremont-le-Grand

There is no single foundation attributable to a person or a precise act: the site was occupied as early as the early Middle Ages, with a chapel mentioned there as early as 911. The village took its seigneurial form in the late Middle Ages under the authority of the de Combremont family, who had a castle built around 1330-1340 on the site of an older building. The village community was then structured around this seigneury, managed by a communal assembly and two governors, before passing under other noble families and then, in 1536, under Bernese rule.

History of Combremont-le-Grand

911. First attested mention of the place, in the form "Cumbromo", on the occasion of the mention of a chapel. This attestation is shared with that of the future Combremont-le-Petit.

1142. The place is mentioned in the form "Combremont", a form close to the present-day name.

14th century. Mention of the parish church of Combremont-le-Grand, which at the time also served the surrounding hamlets.

around 1330-1340. The de Combremont family has a castle built on the site of an earlier building; the building is remodelled in the second half of the 16th century.

1432. The village has 21 hearths (households), according to the surveys of the time.

1536. After the conquest of the Pays de Vaud by Berne, Berne and Fribourg share the seigneury; the larger part goes to Berne and is attached to the bailiwick of Moudon.

1537. According to a source to be cross-checked, the coat of arms of the de Mestral family, then the owner of the castle, are placed above the entrance portal.

1798-1803. With the independence of the canton of Vaud, Combremont-le-Grand is attached to the district of Moudon.

1803-2006. The municipality is part of the district of Payerne.

1824-1825. The parish church is entirely rebuilt.

1951. Construction of a new school building.

1980s. Development of a villa zone, while retaining the village's predominantly agricultural character.

2006. Dissolution of the district of Payerne; the municipality joins the new district of Broye-Vully.

1 July 2011. Combremont-le-Grand merges with Cerniaz, Combremont-le-Petit, Granges-près-Marnand, Marnand, Sassel, Seigneux and Villars-Bramard to form the new municipality of Valbroye. Combremont-le-Grand becomes a locality within this municipality.

Population of Combremont-le-Grand

21 hearths (households)

1432

194

1764

257

1798

444

1850

441

1900

458

1920

362

1950

278

1980

308

2000

302

2009

Historic sites in Combremont-le-Grand

Combremont-le-Grand Castle. Built around 1330-1340 by the de Combremont family on the site of an older building, the castle originally had an imposing keep and a crenellated curtain wall ending in a corbelled turret, elements later demolished. The gate tower has retained arrow-slit openings adapted for arquebuses, a Gothic pointed-arch entrance door and carved coats of arms, including those of the de Mestral family and the von Erlach family. The inner courtyard is lined with Gothic pointed arcades and Renaissance basket-arch arcades, topped by a former wooden gallery now closed off. According to a source to be cross-checked, coats of arms dated 1537 are said to have been placed by the de Mestral family, the owner of the castle at that time.

Parish church. A chapel is mentioned on the site as early as 911, and a parish church is attested as early as the 14th century. The present building results from a complete reconstruction carried out in 1824-1825.

Remains in Combremont-le-Grand

Necropolis and enigmatic structures of Le Cerisier. At the place called Le Cerisier, early medieval graves have been uncovered. Nearby, three well-shaped hollows, arranged in a triangle, have also been recorded, but their function and dating have not been established to date.

Sources

Other villages near Combremont-le-Grand

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