Le Pont

Until the beginning of the 19th century, the village’s inhabitants relied mostly on agriculture and dairy production, although some watchmaking workshops also began to appear. A major change took place at the end of the century, after the construction of a railway line to Vallorbe in 1886 provided better access to the valley. Becoming an important holiday destination for foreign tourists, the village underwent a metamorphosis. Several farms were converted into accommodation, with their buildings refurbished to hide their original rural function, and new properties were built, such as the Grand-Hôtel overlooking the village – a majestic example of the Belle Époque style at the turn of the century.

Despite the progressive additions to its built environment during the 20th century, Le Pont has managed to retain its characteristic historical structure. Its small centre forms an arc only a few metres above the surface of the lake, creating an impression of unity that is reinforced by the succession of facades establishing a kind of fortified front. Each house is nevertheless independent, separated from the others by narrow alleys, and maintains a close relationship with the courtyards, gardens and orchards that appear directly behind the front.

 

ISOS
ISOS is the Federal Inventory of Swiss Heritage Sites of national importance. The inventory is maintained by the Federal Office of Culture (FOC) and lists the most significant settlements in Switzerland. Today, some 1,200 places are included in the inventory, from hamlets right through to cities. The inventory provides information on the development and identity of the settlements listed in it, thereby contributing to the preservation of architectural diversity in Switzerland and promoting both sustainable planning and a high-quality Baukultur.