Gampelen and Champion in the Grosse Moos

21 April 2024

The hamlet at the present-day location of Gampelen (canton of Bern, Champigny in French) was significant in Roman times (13 BC—410 AD) due to the road from Aventicum (today’s Avenches) to Petinesca (today’s Studen). A route led via Gampelen to the Zihlbrücke over the river Zihl (Thielle in French).

Within a few generations, the Celtic inhabitants were Romanised and became Gallo-Romans. After the Romans left in the fifth century, pagan Alemanni migrated to the area.

Between 500 and 700, the population converted to Christianity. The village then belonged to the Frankish kingdoms and empire (seventh century to ninth century) and the Burgundian Kings (888-1032). After that, it fell under the control of the Holy Roman Empire and its local rulers.

A document from 1179 mentions the village under Champion (field). The later rule of the French-speaking county of Neuchâtel and the French-speaking duchy of Savoie confirmed this name or its designation Gamplon in 1377.

However, the German-speaking Bern acquired Erlach and, consequently, Gampelen in 1475, introducing the German name and language.
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Until the water management improvements of the Jura rivers and lakes in the 19th century, the village was located in a swampy area with frequent flooding. These works made “Grosse Moos” Switzerland’s most important agricultural area.

The construction of the Zihl Canal, the Broye Canal and the Hagneck Canal also positively impacted economic development.

Today, Gampelen is a rustic village between Lake Biel and Lake Neuchâtel.

(Source and further information: Gemeinde Gampelen)