Grolley-Ponthaux (French: [ɡʁɔlɛ pɔ̃to]) is a municipality in the district of Sarine in the canton of Fribourg in Switzerland. It was formed on 1 January 2025 by the merger of Grolley and Ponthaux. It had an official population of 2881 as of 31 December 2022.[1]
Geography
Grolley-Ponthaux is located between Fribourg in the east and Payerne in the west, on the divide between the Broye and Sarine watersheds.[2] It borders the municipalities of Belfaux, Belmont-Broye, Corminboeuf, Misery-Courtion, Montagny, and Prez. It has an area of 11.25 square kilometres (4.34 sq mi).[1]
History
Grolley became part of Fribourg's Anciennes Terres in 1442,[3] while Ponthaux has been in Fribourg's possession since 1478, except when it was briefly attached to the canton of Léman from 1798 to 1803.[2][4]
A vehicle park for the Swiss Army and a wastewater treatment plant were built in Grolley in 1970, and a new primary school in 1972.[3][5]
The municipality of Nierlet-des-Bois merged with Ponthaux in 1981,[2] and Corsalettes merged with Grolley in 2000.[6]
A proposal to merge Grolley and Ponthaux narrowly failed in 2015,[7] but a second referendum on merging the two municipalities succeeded in 2024.[8] The merger went into effect on 1 January 2025.[9]
Economy and infrastructure
Agricultural activities in the area include the farming of cereals, fodder crops, and livestock. While Ponthaux has retained its agricultural character,[4] Grolley has experienced some residential development since the 1980s due to its proximity to Fribourg,[3][10] and it has an industrial park.[11]
Grolley-Ponthaux is located on Swiss main road H157, which connects it to Fribourg in the east and Payerne in the west. It is served by Grolley station on the Fribourg–Yverdon railway,[3] on which RER Fribourg provides regular service to Fribourg/Freiburg and Yverdon-les-Bains.
References
- ^ a b "Message 2023-DIAF-39 - Fusion Grolley-Ponthaux" (PDF). Grand Council of Fribourg. 7 May 2024. Retrieved 3 March 2025.
- ^ a b c "Petite histoire de Ponthaux". Municipality of Grolley-Ponthaux. Retrieved 3 March 2025.
- ^ a b c d Rolle, Marianne (6 March 2008). "Grolley". Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse (in French). Retrieved 3 March 2025.
- ^ a b Rolle, Marianne (6 August 2009). "Ponthaux". Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse (in French). Retrieved 3 March 2025.
- ^ "Le développement du village". Municipality of Grolley-Ponthaux. Retrieved 3 March 2025.
- ^ "Fusion". Municipality of Grolley-Ponthaux. Retrieved 3 March 2025.
- ^ Pugin, Patrick (20 September 2015). "Le mariage n'aura pas lieu". La Liberté. Retrieved 3 March 2025.
- ^ Rüttimann, Nicole (3 March 2024). "Grolley-Ponthaux, un oui clair et net". La Liberté. Retrieved 3 March 2025.
- ^ "ROF 2024_054 - Décret approuvant la fusion des communes de Grolley et Ponthaux, du 25.06.2024". Grand Council of Fribourg. 25 June 2024. Retrieved 3 March 2025.
- ^ "Evolution récente". Municipality of Grolley-Ponthaux. Retrieved 3 March 2025.
- ^ "Zone industrielle". Municipality of Grolley-Ponthaux. Retrieved 3 March 2025.