Rougemont, Switzerland

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Coordinates: 46°29′N, 7°13′E

Rougemont
Country Switzerland
Canton Vaud
District Pays-d'Enhaut
Coordinates 46°29′N, 7°13′E
Population 905  (2003)
  - Density 19 /km² (48 /sq.mi.)
Area 48.56 km² (18.7 sq mi)
Elevation 1,007 m (3,304 ft)
Postal code 1659
SFOS number 5843
Surrounded by
(view map)		 Charmey (Gruyère) (FR), Château-d'Œx, Saanen (BE)
Website www.rougemont.ch

Rougemont is a municipality in the Pays-d'Enhaut of the canton of Vaud in Switzerland.

Rougemont and the surrounding Alps

Contents

[edit] Geography

Rougemont is located in the Pays d'Enhaut (high country) of the canton of Vaud, high in the Alps. The territory of the municipality is largely forested and mountainous.

The municipality abuts the cantons of Bern and Fribourg. It is at the crossroads of the Bulle-Montbovon, and Aigle-Thun roads. To reach Aigle and the valley of the Rhone, the road crosses Col des Mosses. To reach Thun and the valley of the Aare, the road crosses Saanenmöser Pass.

Rougemont stretches along the banks of the Sarine. The following valleys are part of the municipality: Les Ciernes-Picats, La Manche, and Les Fenils.

[edit] History

The name of the village appears in various forms in medieval chronicles: Rubeimontis, Rogemont, Rubeo monte, Rogo mons, and Rojomont. The name stems from the red rock outcroppings north of the village. The site was probably first settled by a religious order coming from Cluny in France, which had received the land in 1080 from the Count of Gruyère. In 1569, the priory was replaced by the château of Rougemont, which became the residence of the bailiffs of Bern, who succeeded the Count of Gruyère. The area became part of the canton of Vaud in 1798.

[edit] Economy

Until the end of the 19th century, the area was essentially agricultural, with the dairy industry predominant. The arrival of hotels was greatly furthered by the first railway, the Montreux-Oberland Bernois, which reached Rougemont in 1905.

The situation of the municipality on the Golden Pass railway line between Château-d'Oex and Gstaad, both well-known ski resorts, helped to bring Rougemont out of its isolation and make it a tourist destination in its own right.

Most of the land of the municipality is in agriculture or forest, some 100 hectares being owned by the municipality.

[edit] Population

With a population of 903 (as of 2005), Rougemont is one of the smaller municipalities in the canton of Vaud. About 73.1 percent of the population is French-speaking, 16.7 percent German-speaking, and 3.8 percent English-speaking (as of 2000). The population has shrunk somewhat from 1256 inhabitants in 1880 and 1189 inhabitants in 1900. It reached a low of 824 inhabitants in 1970 and has recovered somewhat since then.

[edit] Architecture

The village is built essentially on a single east-west axis, with houses on both sides of the street facing south to catch the sun. There is room for flower and vegetable gardens. All the houses are typical chalets, which are very close to one another; sometimes their roofs touch. Some of the homes are over 300 years old.

The former priory chapel of Saint-Nicolas is now a protestant church. The church is in the form of a cross and has retained some of its romanesque elements. It was remodeled between 1585 and 1587, when the choir was replaced with three semi-circular apses. The roof in the typical style of the Bernese Oberland dates from the 17th century.

Church of Saint-Nicolas
Church of Saint-Nicolas

Next to the church stands the château of Rougemont, which was built in 1572 and remodeled between 1756 and 1759. It has a tower and an inner court. The church, the château, and the remaining city wall are designated historic buildings.

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Municipalities in the district of Pays-d'Enhaut, Switzerland
Coat of Arms of the Canton Vaud