Rougemont
Intro
Rougemont is best known for its castle and its traditional farmhouses. The small village lies at the eastern end of the Pays-d’Enhaut and follows the course of the River Saane.
Rougemont, whose name is derived from the geological layers of red flysch rock, can be found in the heart of the Vaud Alps near the border with the canton of Bern’s Saanenland region. The building of a Cluniac monastery in the second half of the 11th century marked the beginning of settlement in the area. In the eastern extension of the religious site, a village developed, which was built in the valley plain between the River Saane and the flank of a forested hill. Dating back to 1572 and rebuilt in the 1750s, the castle consists of a massive square building with an inner courtyard. The church, which can be seen from afar, impresses with its elegant hexagonal tower.
The old village has a linear structure. Here, traditional farmhouses from the 17th century stand on foundations constructed with masonry. Their facades are decorated with carvings and form a remarkable series of gables along the street.
Further back, some of the old granaries can still be seen, of which there used to be around 40. They highlight that cattle breeding and cheese production were once an important and lucrative livelihood, which is reflected in the beautification of the houses that can still be admired today. At the beginning of the 19th century, the development of tourism began in Rougemont, experiencing a further boost in 1904 with the opening of the Montreux-Oberland Bernois railway.
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.
