Estavayer-le-Lac through the ages
13 May 2026
Estavayer-le-Lac emerged as a town in the 12th century as the residence of the Lords of Estavayer. The town is situated on Lake Neuchâtel, and this site was already inhabited during the Stone and Bronze Ages. Pile-dwelling houses dating to the 9th century BC were also uncovered after the water level was lowered between 1868 and 1891.
Celts from the Hallstatt and La Tène periods left behind high-quality ironworks. In Roman times, it was a port town known as Staviolum, inhabited by the Helvetii, and a trading post on the route to Aventicum. The Motte-Châtel was the inhabited part at that time.
La tour de Jaquemart (1443)
After the departure of the Romans, the town became part of the Burgundian Kingdom (436–554), the Merovingian and Carolingian Empires (534–888), and the Second Burgundian Kingdom (888–1032), with nearby Payerne serving as an important administrative and religious centre. In the Holy Roman Empire, the Lords of Estavayer and the Bishop of Lausanne were the principal authorities in Estavayer after 1032. Other claimants included the Lords of Grandson and Neuchâtel.
Chenaux Castle (1285)
In 1156, the town appeared under the name Stavaiel and later Estavaier. The German-language name was Stäffis am See. The Lords of Estavayer built three castles (Motte-Châtel, Chenaux and Savoie) within the town walls, which still retain their medieval appearance and architecture.
A significant event was the rapprochement with the Counts of Savoy in 1244. From that point onwards, Estavayer became part of Savoyard Vaud. Furthermore, Isabelle de Chalon, Lady of Vaud and a descendant of the House of Savoy, acquired the town in 1349.
The town was an administrative centre in the Savoyard Vaud (its representatives took part in the meetings of the Etats de Vaud in Moudon). The link with Savoy had major consequences during the Burgundian Wars (1474–1477). Bern and Fribourg conquered and plundered the town in 1475 (Savoy was an ally of the Duke of Burgundy). From that point onwards, the Catholic canton of Fribourg administered the town.
The Catholic character is therefore still very much in evidence. The Dominican convent (le couvent de dominicaines), founded in 1316, still exists, although the Jesuits disappeared (were expelled) from the town in the 19th century. The Collegiate Church (Collégiale) of Saint-Laurent still stands in all its glory and is, amongst other things, the final resting place of Humbert of Savoy.
The Collégiale Saint-Laurent
Impressions from Estavayer-le-Lac
Chenaux Castle
Hôtel de Ville
The Place de Moudon dates from the same period as the Motte-Châtel and was part of the ancient castle. On the right the Maison de Tir (rifle house), 1547. The Linden tree was planted in the 16th century!
La Maison des Sires (14th century) near the former Motte-Châtel
