Sévaz – Chapel, Heritage and Landscape

Sévaz is a municipality in the Broye district of the canton of Fribourg. The village lies on a plateau between Lake Neuchâtel and the Broye plain, around 2.5 kilometres as the crow flies east-southeast of Estavayer-le-Lac. Historical landmarks, a distinctive elevated location and a variety of routes shape the way around the area. During your stay, you can discover several sides of the municipality: its architectural history, landscape and opportunities for hiking, skating and leisure activities.

Heritage in Sévaz

The Chapelle Saint-Nicolas dates from the 14th century; its portal was built in the second half of the 15th century. The chapel was founded by canons of the Grand-Bernard. Its construction date, portal and foundation each provide a different historical perspective, linking the building’s history to a specific institutional attribution. In the Swiss Inventory of Cultural Property Protection, as of 1 January 2026, the Chapelle Saint-Nicolas is listed as a Category B object.

Tudinges is also listed in the inventory, as an Iron Age metalworking site and a Category A cultural property. In this way, Sévaz’s historical heritage extends from a medieval chapel to an Iron Age workshop. Another clue lies in the place name. Sévaz derives from the forests (silva) that covered the region until the 14th century. Together, these clues offer a way to explore the history of the place that goes beyond a single building.

Plateau, Ridge and Views

The village lies on a plateau on a broad ridge that separates Lake Neuchâtel from the Broye plain. It is slightly elevated and offers views of the Jura Mountains and the Alps. The municipal area is predominantly flat, although its highest point is at Haut de Champ Bory, at an elevation of 500 metres. The village plateau and this prominent high point therefore sit side by side in a varied landscape.

The landscape can also be understood through its named areas: to the north, the municipal area extends as far as the Champ de Lune locality, and to the east as far as Haut de Champ Bory. To the south, it stretches across the Fin de la Râpe forest into the Arignon valley depression. The watercourse rises in Sévaz’s industrial area and has a wildlife corridor with wooded strips and floodplains.

In 1997, land use at the time was reported as 90 percent agriculture, 2 percent forest and woodland, and 8 percent settlements. These figures refer specifically to 1997 and provide a historical snapshot, not a current land-use breakdown.

Hiking and Skating Routes

The Montet–Frasses–Sévaz–Bussy–Montet circular hiking route is 8 kilometres long. The estimated duration is 2 hours and 30 minutes, and the route includes 208 metres of elevation gain. In the centre of Sévaz, the route is at an altitude of around 490 metres. It then follows a marked path towards Bussy and continues to the Arignon watercourse. Check trail conditions before setting out.

Another route option is National Route No. 3, the Mittelland Skate Route. It crosses the hill near Sévaz and then descends to Estavayer-le-Lac. The Avenches–Estavayer-le-Lac stage is 23 kilometres long. For the circular hiking route, the listed information includes the distance, estimated walking time and elevation gain; for the skate route, the stage distance is a specific planning figure. This lets you compare the published route details to suit your own plans.

Leisure Activities at Fun4All

Fun4All in Sévaz has 18 bowling lanes, six billiard tables and an indoor pétanque court. Facilities also include a beer garden, a restaurant and a Kid's Park. There is also a large free car park with spaces for people with reduced mobility. As leisure facilities and parking arrangements may change, check the latest details before visiting.

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Go to the main travel overview: Brüw.