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{{Infobox Swiss town
{{Infobox Swiss town
| subject_name = Collombey-Muraz
| subject_name = Collombey-Muraz
| municipality_name = Collombey-Muraz
| municipality_type = municipality
| municipality_type = municipality
| image_photo = Church of collomey vs.jpg
| image_photo = Collombey.jpg
| image_caption = Church of Collombey
| image_caption = Aerial view of central Collombey
| imagepath_coa = Collombeymuraz.png |pixel_coa=
| imagepath_coa = CHE Collombey-Muraz COA.svg
| imagepath_flag = CHE Collombey-Muraz Flag.svg
| map =
| languages = French
| canton = Valais
| canton = Valais
| iso-code-region = CH-VS
| iso-code-region = CH-VS
| district = [[Monthey (district)|Monthey]]
| district = [[Monthey (district)|Monthey]]
|coordinates = {{coord|46|16|N|6|57|E|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates = {{coord|46|16|N|6|57|E|display=inline,title}}
| postal_code = 1868
|lat_NS=N|long_EW=E
| postal_code = 1893
| municipality_code = 6152
| municipality_code = 6152
| area = 29.8
| area = 29.8
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| population = 5856|populationof = December 2002 | popofyear = 2002
| population = 5856|populationof = December 2002 | popofyear = 2002
| website = www.collombey-muraz.ch
| website = www.collombey-muraz.ch
| mayor = Yannick Buttet |mayor_asof=|mayor_party= PDC
| mayor = Olivier Turin |mayor_party= PS | mayor_asof=
| mayor_title = |list_of_mayors =
| mayor_title = Président
| list_of_mayors =
| places =
| places =
| demonym =
| demonym =
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|}}
|}}


'''Collombey-Muraz''' is a [[Municipalities of Switzerland|municipality]] in the district of [[Monthey (district)|Monthey]] in the [[Cantons of Switzerland|canton]] of [[Valais]] in [[Switzerland]]. There was an [[oil refinery]] in the town.
'''Collombey-Muraz''' is a [[Municipalities of Switzerland|municipality]] in the district of [[Monthey (district)|Monthey]] in the [[Cantons of Switzerland|canton]] of [[Valais]] in [[Switzerland]].


==History==
==Geography==
Collombey is first mentioned in 1263 as ''de Columberio''. Muraz was mentioned in 1283 as ''de Mura''.<ref name=HDS/>


After the town of Saint-Maurice, the Rhône river flows north towards Lake Geneva. The plain widens on both sides of it, with an area called the Chablais valaisan on its left bank. The district of Monthey is part of it with its nine municipalities, one of which is Collombey-Muraz.
But it was a little over 200 years ago that its geographical and political configuration as an autonomous commune was finally established. This came about when the castellany of Monthey was divided in 1787.


Collombey-Muraz includes the villages of Collombey, Muraz, Collombey-le-Grand, Illarsaz, and Les Neyres. Due to its high proportion of flat ground, it is one of the largest municipalities in the Valais, extending over 29.81 km2.
Ancient ruins unearthed at archaeological site of Châble-Croix have been dated to be between 6880 and 6330 BC, suggesting it is the oldest site in the Canton of Valais. From 1900 onward the extraction of granite from the glacial moraine on the ''Barmaz'' heights unearthed Neolithic cemeteries going back to around 3000 to 1800 BC. On a geographical note, the commune's prehistoric history is highlighted by the presence of erratic blocks. The ''Pierre à Dzo'' (300 m<sup>3</sup>), the ''Pierre à Muguet'' (1000 m<sup>3</sup>) and the Studer Block (500 m<sup>3</sup>) are situated on the lower eastern slopes of the ''Pointe du Bellevue''.


A survey in 2013-2018 established that housing and infrastructure represented 14.1% of its territory, agricultural areas 36.5%, wooded areas 40.0%, and unproductive areas 9.3%.
Two key locations form part of Collombey-Muraz's recent history: The Château d’Arbignon, which since 1647 until the present day is home to the religious community of the Bernardines. And the Château De Lavallaz manor house which was once a feudal residence and is still lived in today.


Seven alpine pastures, Chalet-Neuf, Conches, Chemeneau, Grand-Crau, Dreveneuse d’en Bas, Chermeux and Onnaz, extend over the heights bordering France. They are owned by the bourgeoisie, who rent them to farmers for the summer season.
[[File:ETH-BIB-Collombey, Muraz-LBS H1-011394.tif|thumb|Historic aerial photograph by Werner Friedli from 1949]]
Up until 1960 Collombey-Muraz was principally an agricultural commune.


The highest point of the municipality, La Pointe de Bellevue at 2,042 metres, offers a view stretching from Lake Geneva to the Dents du Midi. Since 2013, it has given its name to a popular foot race.
One patrimonial specificity of the commune's villages is without doubt the wells. Because of such a high water table, many wells were dug in the villages situated on the valley floor; Collombey, Collombey-le-Grand and Illarsaz. These supplied water for the populations and their cattle. It has even been suggested that the first action a family would take when deciding to build a house was to dig a well (''Cahier de l’Association du Vieux Collombey-Muraz''). As many as 62 existed. Many have survived to this day but are now purely ornamental. In recognition of this special treasure the communal authorities named a street and a square in the centre of Collombey ''Rue des Puits'' and ''Place des Puits.''


=== The villages ===
A {{convert|14|km|mi|abbr=on}} long canal, ''Stockalper Canal'' was built in the 17th century by Baron Kaspar Stockalper, at that time ''master of salt'' in [[Valais]], to connect Collombey-Muraz to [[Lake Geneva]] and transport the imported salt in a cheap and convenient way.


==== Collombey ====
'''The traditional bakery'''
Collombey is the largest of the municipality's five villages, with nearly 4,600 inhabitants at the end of 2016. It has experienced unprecedented growth since the 1990s with the construction of shopping centers and many residential buildings.


====Muraz====
In the year 2000 the demolition of a house in Collombey-Le-Grand brought to light the existence of an old communal bread oven. The discovery gave birth to the idea of reconstituting a rustic oven. This was considered a way both of safeguarding and showcasing the surviving elements retrieved from the old oven and of instigating a project of general interest.  A foundation was created to achieve this and on 21 September 2002 the new construction was inaugurated. Ever since, four events take place every year, on:


On a hillside, Muraz has long suffered from the whims of the two streams bordering it, which have destroyed crops and flooded homes. The village extends on either side of the cantonal road, between a mountain flank and the plain. Like other localities, Muraz has grown considerably and presently has some 2,700 inhabitants.
The Palm Sunday weekend


====Collombey-le-Grand====
Federal Day of Thanksgiving, Repentance and Prayer


If the "grand" in Collombey-le-Grand ever indicated that the village was bigger or grander than neighbouring Collombey, then that was only true before the 12th century (according to Maurice Parvex, Collombey-Muraz). Today the village still deserves this qualifier if it includes the vast industrial area bordering it. With some 500 inhabitants, the village was originally huddled around the Chapel of Our Lady of the Seven Joys (chapelle Notre Dame des Sept-Joies) before experiencing considerable growth and extending into the plain.
The November patron Saint's day


====Illarsaz====
The period of Avent


Illarsaz is a quintessential valley floor village, on the road connecting Vionnaz to Aigle. It was once surrounded by marshes, which have now given way to agriculture. The locality consists mainly of individual villas for a population of about 700 inhabitants.
On all of these occasions the association's master baker, Henri Vanay bakes his delicious bread and other specialties in the reconstituted oven.


====Les Neyres====
'''Key historical events of Collombey-Muraz'''


On a hillside, nestled between Monthey and Troistorrents, Les Neyres is the fifth and smallest village of the municipality. You have to take the Val d’Illiez road (route du Val d'Illiez) to discover Les Neyres, a scattered habitat of some 400 inhabitants. Like the other villages, Les Neyres has experienced strong growth in recent years, even prompting the municipality to reopen an infant school.
1216 The Arbignon family start construction on the Château d'Arbignon which will later become the Bernardines’ monastery.


==Transport==
1283 First mention of the Parish of Muraz, having split from the Collombey parish. Ancient foundations are found under the present day church in Muraz.
The village of Collombey is served by two railway lines: the CFF Tonkin line (Saint-Maurice – Saint-Gingolph) and the AOMC regional train (Aigle – Ollon – Monthey - Champéry). In addition, a city bus travels hourly to Monthey. The five villages of the municipality are also connected to the surrounding localities by a bus service run by the Public Transport of Chablais (TPC).


==Toponymy==
1630 Construction of the Château de Châtillon. It becomes the Fay de Lavallaz manor. The first foundations date from the beginning of the 14th century.
Collombey derives from the Latin noun cŏlumbārium, which refers either to a dovecote, or to a tomb or to a burial vault. It is not possible to know which applies, even though the municipality’s coat of arms includes doves.


Muraz derives from the Latin noun murum (plural: mura). It refers to a place consisting of remains of walls and constructions. The final z is silent, indicating that the accent is on the u and that the a is atonic.
1643 The Bernardine religious community undertake reconstruction work on the Château d'Arbignon before it becomes their monastery.


In Valaisan patois, Collombey is pronounced ''Collambâ''.
1647 The Bernardine monastery is founded.


==History==
1723 Collombey-Muraz is officially separated from Monthey. Collombey Parish is re-established from the moment the village church is consecrated that year.
The geographical and political configuration as an autonomous municipality dates back to the division of the castellany of Monthey in 1787.


Geological evolution has left erratic blocks such as the Pierre à Dzo (300 m³), the Pierre à Muguet (1,000 m³), and the Bloc Studer (500 m³). The archaeological site of Châble-Croix, dating back to between 6880 and 6330 BC, could be the oldest in the Valais. From 1900 the exploitation of granite from the ancient glacial moraine uncovered Neolithic necropolises on the heights of Barmaz, dating back to the Neolithic age, around 3000 to 1800 BC.
1787 The castellany of Monthey is divided. On 22 September the governor, Jean-Joseph Jost summons the council members and entitled persons from Troistorrents, Collombey and Muraz to appear before him on 2 October in relation to the dividing up of the municipal assets.


[[File:ETH-BIB-Collombey, Muraz-LBS H1-011394.tif|thumb|Historic aerial photograph by Werner Friedli from 1949]]
1798 Population census: Collombey 209 inhabitants, Collombey-le-Grand 70, Muraz 202, Illarsaz 53, Les Neyres 57 inhabitants.
The history of Collombey-Muraz was essentially agricultural until the 1960s.


1811 Fire of Collombey church.
=== Key historical events in Collombey-Muraz ===
1216: Start of the construction of the Arbignon castle by the family of the same name, which will become the Monastery of the Bernardines.


1283: First mention of the parish of Muraz, after its separation from that of Collombey. Ancient foundations under the current church.
1826 Construction of the rectory in Collombey.


1630: Construction of the Châtillon castle, which will become the Manor of Fay de Lavallaz and whose first foundations date from the beginning of the 14th century.
1847 The gates to the bridge crossing the Rhone between Collombey and Saint-Triphon are closed. Fortifications are built along the Rhone banks, which are then guarded night and day.


1855 Reconstruction work begins on the chapel in Collombey-le-Grand dedicated to Our Lady of Seven Joys.
1643: Reconstruction by the Bernardines of the Arbignon castle with a view to setting up their monastery.


1647: Foundation of the Monastery of the Bernardines.
1859 The first ever locomotive transits the commune's territory on the Tonkin railway line.


1723: Official separation of Collombey and Monthey. Collombey becomes a parish again following the consecration of the old church in 1723.
1873 The new church in Collombey is inaugurated.


1787: Division of the castellany of Monthey. On September 22, 1787, Governor Jean-Joseph Jost invites representatives of Troistorrents, Collombey, and Muraz to appear before him on October 2, 1787, on the subject of the division of communal property.
1876 ''La Collombeyrienne'' music society is founded.


1798: Population census: Collombey 209 inhabitants, Collombey-le-Grand 70, Muraz 202, Illarsaz 53, Les Neyres 57.
1881 Charles de Lavallaz establishes the cigarette and cigar manufactures in Monthey.


1811: Fire in the church of Collombey.
1894 The bridge in Illarsaz is constructed by G. Schmiedt from Geneva.


1826: Construction of the Collombey presbytery.
1897 The Muraz-based ''La Villageoise'' music society is founded.


1847: Closure of the gates of the bridge over the Rhône between Collombey and Saint-Triphon and establishment of permanently guarded fortifications along the Rhône
1898 The new church in Muraz (with the original bell tower dating from 1657) and the town hall in Collombey are inaugurated.


1855: Reconstruction of the chapel of Collombey-le-Grand dedicated to Our Lady of the Seven Joys.
1906 The bridge spanning the Rhone between Collombey and Saint-Triphon is constructed – 72 metres long and weighing 170.3 tons.


1859: Crossing of the municipal territory by the first locomotive of the Tonkin line.
1907 The tram line Aigle-Ollon-Monthey is opened.


1909 ''L'Avenir'' music society is founded in Collombey.
1873: Inauguration of the new church in Collombey.


1876: Foundation of the music society “La Collombeyrienne”.
1941 A camp is established in Illarsaz for Poles. Later Russians and Germans are also interned there.


1881: Charles de Lavallaz founds a tobacco and cigar factory in Monthey.
1946 The Tonkin railway line is electrified from Saint-Maurice to Collombey.


1894: Construction of the Illarsaz bridge by G. Schmiedt of Geneva.
1970-1971 A school complex is constructed on the ''Route de Collombey-le-Grand.''


1897: Foundation in Muraz of the music society “La Villageoise”.
1976 The road bridge over the Tonkin railway line at the Vionnaz SSB stop (entirely situated in the commune of Collombey-Muraz) is constructed.  The bridge spanning the Rhone on the same road is also built linking it to the motorway.


1898: Inauguration of the new church in Muraz (bell tower from 1657) and of the town hall in Collombey.
1976 The ''SATOM'' waste incineration plant is inaugurated.


1906: Construction of the bridge over the Rhône between Collombey and Saint-Triphon. Length 72 m, weight 170.3 tons.
1981 The president of the Confederation, Mr Kurt Fürgler visits the Bernadines’ convent in the Château d'Arbignon, Collombey.


1907: Opening of the Aigle-Ollon-Monthey train line.
1986 A new bridge spanning the Rhone between Collombey and Saint-Triphon is constructed downstream from the original one.


1909: Foundation in Collombey of the music society “L’Avenir”.
1988 The two-hundredth anniversary of the commune of Collombey-Muraz is celebrated.


1941: Establishment of a camp for Polish internees in Illarsaz, Russians and Germans will also be interned later.
==Geography==
Collombey-Muraz is one of nine communes in the district Monthey. The district sits in the Chablais region in Valais, and is located on the left bank of the Rhone where the valley opens out just downstream of the constriction at Saint-Maurice. The commune is formed of five villages; Collombey, Muraz, Collombey-le-Grand, Illarsaz and Les Neyres. Collombey-Muraz has an area, {{as of|2009|lc=on}}, of {{convert|29.8|km2|mi2|sp=us}}. Of this area, {{convert|11.21|km2|mi2|abbr=on}} or 37.6% is used for agricultural purposes, while {{convert|11.99|km2|mi2|abbr=on}} or 40.2% is forested. Of the rest of the land, {{convert|3.72|km2|mi2|abbr=on}} or 12.5% is settled (buildings or roads), {{convert|0.7|km2|mi2|abbr=on}} or 2.3% is either rivers or lakes and {{convert|2.19|km2|mi2|abbr=on}} or 7.3% is unproductive land.<ref name=BFS_land>[http://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/portal/de/index/themen/02/03/blank/data/gemeindedaten.html Swiss Federal Statistical Office-Land Use Statistics] 2009 data {{in lang|de}} accessed 25 March 2010</ref> The commune is one of the biggest in the canton of Valais in terms of surface area.


1946: Electrification of the Tonkin line from Saint-Maurice to Collombey.
Of the built up area, industrial buildings made up 3.3% of the total area while housing and buildings made up 5.2% and transportation infrastructure made up 2.9%. Out of the forested land, 36.1% of the total land area is heavily forested and 2.2% is covered with orchards or small clusters of trees. Of the agricultural land, 24.8% is used for growing crops and 1.9% is pastures and 10.3% is used for alpine pastures. Of the water in the municipality, 0.5% is in lakes and 1.8% is in rivers and streams. Of the unproductive areas, 4.0% is unproductive vegetation and 3.4% is too rocky for vegetation.<ref name=BFS_land/>


1960: Opening of Switzerland's first oil refinery.
On the heights above the villages, seven alpine pastures stretch out along the border with France. They are the property of ''La Bourgeoise'', a longstanding communal institution formed of local inhabitants and based on the communal law of 1866. This institution rents out the alpine pastures to farmers during the summer months.


1970-1971: Construction of a school complex on the “Route de Collombey-le-Grand”.
At 2042 meters above sea level, ''La Pointe du Bellevue'' is the commune's highest point. It offers extraordinary views over Lake Léman (Lake Geneva) and the multi-summited mountain ''Les Dents-du-Midi''. ''La Pointe du Bellevue'' lends its name to a popular running race that has taken place every year since 2013.


1976: Construction of the bridge over the CFF track in Vionnaz (entirely on Collombey-Muraz territory), as well as the bridge over the Rhône leading to the highway.
The municipality is located in the Monthey district, on the left bank of the [[Rhone]] river. It consists of the villages of Collombey-le-Grand, Collombey-le-Petit, Muraz and Illarsaz.


1976: Inauguration of SATOM.
[[Lac de Conche]] is located in the municipality.


1981: Visit of Mr. Kurt Fürgler, President of the Confederation, to the Convent of the Bernardines in Collombey.
'''The villages'''


1986: Construction of a new bridge over the Rhône between Collombey and Saint-Triphon, downstream from the previous one.
Collombey


1988: Celebration of the bicentenary of the municipality of Collombey-Muraz.
This is the biggest of the five villages in the commune. At the end of 2016 its population was nearly 4600. It has seen unprecedented development since the 1990s with the construction of shopping centres and new residential buildings and houses.


2015: Closure of the Tamoil oil refinery.
Muraz


2022: A local referendum turns down a proposal to merge Collombey-Muraz with Monthey.
Muraz is situated on the side of the alpine foothills and is bordered by two streams. It has suffered from the capricious nature of these two water courses over the years, with floods occasionally destroying crops and homes. The village today extends both sides of the cantonal road, up the hillside and down onto the valley floor. As with the other localities, Muraz has grown considerably and presently has a population of 2700 inhabitants.


==Demonyms and nicknames==
Collombey-le-Grand
The inhabitants of Collombey are called ''Collombeyrouds'' or ''Collomberous''. They are nicknamed ''lou Bérou'', which means rams in Valaisan patois.


The inhabitants of Muraz are called Muriands. They are nicknamed Fascines, in reference to the making of twig bundles to be used as firewood.
If Collombey-le-Grand was ever bigger and grander than Collombey then it predates the 12th century which is as far back as local historian Maurice Parvex has been able to trace its history. Today the village would indeed merit the qualification of being bigger if the vast industrial zone along its borders were taken into consideration. The first inhabitants settled around the chapel of Our Lady of Seven Joys. But the village has also seen strong growth in recent years and now extends further onto the valley floor. The population presently stands at around 500.

Illarsaz

Lying on the road between Vionnaz and Aigle, Illarsaz is the perfect example of a valley floor village. The land surrounding the village was formerly marshes but has been transformed for market gardening and arable farming. The population of around 700 predominately live in detached single-family houses.  Illarsaz has not escaped the kind of development the rest of the commune has seen. So much so in fact, that the village infant school was recently re-opened.

Les Neyres

On the hillside above Monthey, Les Neyres is the fifth and smallest village in the commune. Access is by the road to Val d’Illiez with a short but steep and winding climb off this, leading to the village of 400 inhabitants. The population of around 700 predominately live in detached single-family houses.

==Coat of arms==
The [[blazon]] of the municipal [[coat of arms]] is ''Azure Walls embattled and towered Argent masoned and doored Sable between three Doves volant of the second.'' The doves and walls ({{lang-fr|colombes et murs}} make this an example of [[canting arms|canting]].<ref>[http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/ch-vs083.html Flags of the World.com] accessed 19 September 2011</ref>


==Demographics==
==Demographics==
[[File:Railway station of Collombey.jpg|thumb|Collombey rail station]]
[[File:Railway station of Collombey.jpg|thumb|Collombey rail station]]
Collombey-Muraz has a population ({{as of|{{Swiss populations YM|CH-VS}}|lc=on}}) of {{Swiss populations|CH-VS|6152}}.{{Swiss populations ref|CH-VS}} {{as of|2008}}, 22.9% of the population are resident foreign nationals.<ref name=HDS_superweb>[http://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/portal/de/index/infothek/onlinedb/superweb/login.html Swiss Federal Statistical Office - Superweb database - Gemeinde Statistics 1981-2008] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100628151016/http://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/portal/de/index/infothek/onlinedb/superweb/login.html |date=28 June 2010 }} {{in lang|de}} accessed 19 June 2010</ref> Over the last 10 years (2000–2010 ) the population has changed at a rate of 30.1%. It has changed at a rate of 21.6% due to migration and at a rate of 7.5% due to births and deaths.<ref name=SFSO>[http://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/portal/en/index/regionen/02/key.html Swiss Federal Statistical Office] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160105172441/http://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/portal/en/index/regionen/02/key.html |date=5 January 2016 }} accessed 19 September 2011</ref>


=== Trends ===
Most of the population ({{as of|2000|lc=on}}) speaks [[French language|French]] (5,123 or 90.0%) as their first language, [[German language|German]] is the second most common (144 or 2.5%) and [[Italian language|Italian]] is the third (140 or 2.5%). There are 3 people who speak [[Romansh language|Romansh]].<ref name=STAT2000/>
In early 2023 Collombey-Muraz had a population of 9,739, with a density of 327 inhabitants per square kilometre. Between 2010 and 2019, its population increased by 30.1% (canton: 10.5%; Switzerland: 9.4%).


=== Age spread ===
{{as of|2008}}, the population was 49.8% male and 50.2% female. The population was made up of 2,613 Swiss men (37.4% of the population) and 872 (12.5%) non-Swiss men. There were 2,763 Swiss women (39.5%) and 743 (10.6%) non-Swiss women.<ref name=VS_Pop>[http://www.vs.ch/Navig/navig.asp?MenuID=14752 Ständige Wohnbevolkerung nach Geschlecht und Heimat am 31.12.2009.xls] {{in lang|de|fr}} accessed 24 August 2011</ref> Of the population in the municipality, 1,585 or about 27.8% were born in Collombey-Muraz and lived there in 2000. There were 1,517 or 26.6% who were born in the same canton, while 1,383 or 24.3% were born somewhere else in Switzerland, and 1,068 or 18.8% were born outside of Switzerland.<ref name=STAT2000/>
In 2020, the proportion of people under 30 in Collombey-Muraz was 37.4%, which was above the cantonal level (31.7%). The proportion of people over 60 was 18.5%, compared to the cantonal level (26.6%).


{{as of|2000}}, children and teenagers (0–19 years old) make up 28.8% of the population, while adults (20–64 years old) make up 62.8% and seniors (over 64 years old) make up 8.3%.<ref name=SFSO/>
In the same year, 4,767 men and 4,831 women made up the municipality's population, resulting in a male rate of 48.9%, which was higher than the cantonal rate of 48.4%.


==Education==
{{as of|2000}}, there were 2,437 people who were single and never married in the municipality. There were 2,782 married individuals, 209 widows or widowers and 267 individuals who are divorced.<ref name=STAT2000>[http://www.pxweb.bfs.admin.ch/Database/German_40%20-%20Eidgen%C3%B6ssische%20Volksz%C3%A4hlung/40.3%20-%202000/40.3%20-%202000.asp?lang=1&prod=40&secprod=3&openChild=true STAT-TAB Datenwürfel für Thema 40.3 - 2000] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140409212530/http://www.pxweb.bfs.admin.ch/Database/German_40%20-%20Eidgen%C3%B6ssische%20Volksz%C3%A4hlung/40.3%20-%202000/40.3%20-%202000.asp?lang=1&prod=40&secprod=3&openChild=true |date=9 April 2014 }} {{in lang|de}} accessed 2 February 2011</ref>
Collombey-Muraz provides kindergarten, primary schools and a secondary school ("cycle d'orientation" on the Perraires site) for the children of the municipality. Responding to local demographic expansion, a new school opened in the village of Muraz at the start of the 2014 school year.


==Sports==
{{as of|2000}}, there were 2,117 private households in the municipality, and an average of 2.6 persons per household.<ref name=SFSO/> There were 522 households that consist of only one person and 191 households with five or more people. {{as of|2000|alt=In 2000}}, a total of 2,031 apartments (91.8% of the total) were permanently occupied, while 128 apartments (5.8%) were seasonally occupied and 54 apartments (2.4%) were empty.<ref name=Housing>[http://www.pxweb.bfs.admin.ch/Database/German_09%20-%20Bau-%20und%20Wohnungswesen/09.2%20-%20Geb%C3%A4ude%20und%20Wohnungen/09.2%20-%20Geb%C3%A4ude%20und%20Wohnungen.asp?lang=1&prod=09&secprod=2&openChild=true Swiss Federal Statistical Office STAT-TAB - Datenwürfel für Thema 09.2 - Gebäude und Wohnungen] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140907111534/http://www.pxweb.bfs.admin.ch/Database/German_09%20-%20Bau-%20und%20Wohnungswesen/09.2%20-%20Geb%C3%A4ude%20und%20Wohnungen/09.2%20-%20Geb%C3%A4ude%20und%20Wohnungen.asp?lang=1&prod=09&secprod=2&openChild=true |date=7 September 2014 }} {{in lang|de}} accessed 28 January 2011</ref> {{as of|2009}}, the construction rate of new housing units was 14.2 new units per 1000 residents.<ref name=SFSO/> The vacancy rate for the municipality, {{as of|2010|alt=in 2010}}, was 2%.<ref name=SFSO/>


=== Football ===
The historical population is given in the following chart:<ref name=HDS>{{HDS|2739|Collombey-Muraz}}</ref><ref>[http://www.pxweb.bfs.admin.ch/Database/German_40%20-%20Eidgen%C3%B6ssische%20Volksz%C3%A4hlung/40.4%20-%201850-2000/40.4%20-%201850-2000.asp?lang=1&prod=40&secprod=4&openChild=true Swiss Federal Statistical Office STAT-TAB Bevölkerungsentwicklung nach Region, 1850-2000] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140930162751/http://www.pxweb.bfs.admin.ch/Database/German_40%20-%20Eidgen%C3%B6ssische%20Volksz%C3%A4hlung/40.4%20-%201850-2000/40.4%20-%201850-2000.asp?lang=1&prod=40&secprod=4&openChild=true |date=30 September 2014 }} {{in lang|de}} accessed 29 January 2011</ref>
The Union Sportive Collombey-Muraz (USCM) was founded in 1970, born of the merger of FC Collombey and FC Muraz. The club has about 220 members spread over fourteen teams, including two in "active" leagues (2nd regional and 3rd league), one at senior level and eleven at junior level. The USCM also runs a football school that brings together 20 to 25 children per season.
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bar:1860 from:start till:962 text:"962"
bar:1870 from:start till:1048 text:"1,048"
bar:1880 from:start till:1073 text:"1,073"
bar:1888 from:start till:1059 text:"1,059"
bar:1900 from:start till:1103 text:"1,103"
bar:1910 from:start till:1191 text:"1,191"
bar:1920 from:start till:1260 text:"1,260"
bar:1930 from:start till:1246 text:"1,246"
bar:1941 from:start till:1299 text:"1,299"
bar:1950 from:start till:1598 text:"1,598"
bar:1960 from:start till:1679 text:"1,679"
bar:1970 from:start till:2279 text:"2,279"
bar:1980 from:start till:2982 text:"2,982"
bar:1990 from:start till:4493 text:"4,493"
bar:2000 from:start till:5695 text:"5,695"
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==Politics==
=== Basketball ===
The BBC Collombey-Muraz was created in 1982. It has an average of 100 members. The 1st team has been present in the Swiss 1st league championship since 1992, without interruption. The club works closely with the BBC Monthey as part of a partnership signed between the two clubs under the aegis of the National Basketball League. The club also offers the possibility for adults, young and old, to play basketball in the 2nd cantonal league. Finally, the many youth teams (M19, M16, M14, M12, M10, and M8) crisscross Switzerland as they compete in cantonal, Romand (COBB), and Swiss championships.
The municipal council is the executive authority of the commune. Since 1 January 2013, the number of council members decreased from nine to seven. Municipal elections take place every four years. Each counselor heads up an administrative department (dicastery). These function through committees made up of citizens from the commune and/or delegacies composed of municipal counselors. Both the committees and delegacies are presided by the counselor responsible for that dicastery.


=== Judo ===
Since 2013 the commune has a ''Conseil général'', a general council, which acts as the body of legislative authority. 45 representatives were elected for the first time on 11 November 2012. Elections for the general council also take place every four years. Mr Yannick Butter has been the president of the commune since 2013.
Collombey-Muraz's judo school (EJCM) was founded in November 1977. In 25 years of existence, its members have won more than 200 cantonal and Swiss titles. With a hundred members, the EJCM has many black belts.


=== Table tennis ===
In the [[2007 Swiss federal election|2007 federal election]] the most popular party was the [[Christian Democratic People's Party of Switzerland|CVP]] which received 38.08% of the vote. The next three most popular parties were the [[Swiss People's Party|SVP]] (21.86%), the [[Social Democratic Party of Switzerland|SP]] (16.26%) and the [[FDP.The Liberals|FDP]] (15.14%). In the federal election, a total of 1,858 votes were cast, and the [[voter turnout]] was 47.9%.<ref>[http://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/portal/de/index/themen/17/02/blank/data/04/03.html Swiss Federal Statistical Office, ''Nationalratswahlen 2007: Stärke der Parteien und Wahlbeteiligung, nach Gemeinden/Bezirk/Canton''] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150514211354/http://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/portal/de/index/themen/17/02/blank/data/04/03.html |date=14 May 2015 }} {{in lang|de}} accessed 28 May 2010</ref>
The Collombey-Muraz table tennis club (CTTCM) was founded in June 1974. It plays as part of the “AVVF” table tennis association, which brings together clubs from the cantons of Vaud, Valais, and Fribourg. The club started with fewer than a dozen members. The 1st team competes in the national league “C” and the 2nd team in the 1st league. The four other teams, with members young and less so, compete in the 3rd, 4th, and 5th leagues. The committee takes special care of the table tennis school (from 8 years old).


=== Running ===
In the 2009 [[Conseil d'Etat (Switzerland)|Conseil d'Etat/Staatsrat]] election a total of 1,370 votes were cast, of which 126 or about 9.2% were invalid. The voter participation was 34.7%, which is much less than the cantonal average of 54.67%.<ref>[http://www.vs.ch/Navig/navig.asp?MenuID=4363&Language=de&link= Staatsratswahlen vom 1. März 2009] {{in lang|de}} accessed 24 August 2011</ref> In the 2007 [[Swiss Council of States election, 2007|Swiss Council of States election]] a total of 1,805 votes were cast, of which 169 or about 9.4% were invalid. The voter participation was 47.1%, which is much less than the cantonal average of 59.88%.<ref>[http://www.vs.ch/navig/navig.asp?MenuID=4360&RefMenuID=0&RefServiceID=0 Ständeratswahl 2007] {{in lang|de}} accessed 24 August 2011</ref>
The “Trail de Bellevue”, whose 1st edition took place on June 29, 2013, organises two races, one of 10&nbsp;km and the other of 32, as well as a children’s race.


=== Archery club ===
'''Presidents (1912–present)'''
The Arc-Club Collombey-Muraz, founded in 1973, brings together archers from all over the Chablais (Valais and Vaud). It is active in competitive sport (both target and forest shooting) and leisure. Many members have already distinguished themselves at the national level, and even at the European level for some. It is open to Olympic bows (classic), compound bows, barebows, as well as more traditional bows (bowhunters and longbows).


=== Wrestling club (Swiss and Greco-Roman) ===
2013–present Yannick Buttet (2 periods)
The Illarsaz-Haut-Lac wrestling club celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2012. Founded in 1942 by a group of wrestler friends from the region, initial training sessions took place outdoors. Despite very basic means, a core group of about ten enthusiasts developed. At any given time, the club trains more than 30 young people from the age of five. It has experienced moments of glory with many excellent results both in Swiss wrestling and in freestyle wrestling, including numerous medals during the Swiss freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling championships of our former wrestlers, as well as participations in international championships. Our wrestlers have also displayed considerable agility in Swiss wrestling competitions, with numerous laurels and even a federal crown won by Alain Bifrare in 1986, in Sion. For several years, the club has been trying to organise as many competitions as possible within the municipality. In 2009, the Swiss freestyle wrestling championship took place here, with Florian Vieux finishing 3rd. In 2011, Collombey-Muraz hosted the Romand championship. During the summer of 2012, the Valaisan Cantonal Swiss Wrestling Festival took place at the Perraires; Sylvain Vieux was victorious there.


=== Ski Club ===
2006-2012 Granger Josiane (1.5 periods)
On December 11, 1968, a team of friends gathered to found the SC Bellevue of Collombey-Muraz. Since then, the SC has organised ski outings, track and hiking every winter. Since 1979, members have been meeting at the Chalet de Conches, an old alpine chalet, rented to the SC by the Bourgeoisie of Collombey-Muraz. The flagship event remains the traditional popular competition, open to all members of the SC as well as to all people living on the territory of the municipality. It includes a giant slalom (course: Culet customs - Chalet Neuf) and a sealskin race (course: Chalet-Neuf - Bellevue peak).


=== Tennis Club ===
2001-2006 Métrailler Laurent (1.5 periods)
The Tennis-Club Collombey-Muraz, founded in 1984, is one of the largest sports societies in the municipality. Five interclub teams, including two male (active and young seniors) in the 2nd League, two male (young seniors) in the 3rd League and one female (young senior ladies) in the 1st League, make up the competing groups. The club has more than a hundred Swisstennis licensees. Every year, the club organises a Grand Open tournament overseen by Swisstennis in August.


=== Shooting ===
1985-2000  Lattion Antoine (4 periods)
Founded in 2008, the “Sport Shooting Châble-Croix” society was born of the merger of the shooting societies “Les Carabiniers de Collombey-Muraz”, “L’Avenir de Vionnaz” and the “Petit Calibre de Châble-Croix”. In 2014, the society became Swiss champion of the section competition in the LNB ordnance weapons category and several of its representatives stand out both at cantonal and national levels.


==Politics==
1977-1984  Zimmermann Arthur
The Municipal Council is the executive authority of the municipality of Collombey-Muraz. On January 1, 2013, the number of councilors was reduced from 9 to 7. Each councilor leads a department that operates by committee (composed of citizens of Collombey-Muraz) and/or by delegation (composed of municipal councilors). These committees or delegations are chaired by the councilor in charge of the department concerned.


The municipality of Collombey-Muraz also has, since January 1, 2013, a General Council, which is the legislative authority and whose 45 representatives were elected for the first time on November 11, 2012.
1967-1977  Berrut Jacques (2.5 periods)


'''Presidents since 1912 (in the Valais, a mayor is referred to as a president)'''
1956-1967  Chervaz Sylvain (3 periods)


2021-2024 Olivier Turin
1933-1955  De Lavallaz Bernard (6 periods)


2013–2020 Yannick Buttet (2 terms)
1921-1932  Parvex Maurice (3 periods)


2006-2012 Josiane Granger (1.5 terms)
1916-1919  Riondet Hubert


2001-2006 Laurent Métrailler (1.5 terms)
1912-1915  Burdevet Hubert


1985-2000  Antoine Lattion (4 terms)
==Economy==
[[File:Collombey refinery in Switzerland, Tamoil.jpg|thumb|left|Tamoil's oil refinery in Collombey]]
Over the past 30 years, many companies have chosen to establish themselves in Collombey-Muraz. {{as of|2010|In 2010}}, Collombey-Muraz had an unemployment rate of 4.7%. {{as of|2008}}, there were 110 people employed in the [[Primary sector of the economy|primary economic sector]] and about 27 businesses involved in this sector. 1,128 people were employed in the [[Secondary sector of the economy|secondary sector]] and there were 107 businesses in this sector. 1,342 people were employed in the [[Tertiary sector of the economy|tertiary sector]], with 210 businesses in this sector.<ref name=SFSO/> There were 2,892 residents of the municipality who were employed in some capacity, of which females made up 39.2% of the workforce.


1977-1984  Arthur Zimmermann
{{as of|2008|alt=In 2008}} the total number of [[full-time equivalent]] jobs was 2,219. The number of jobs in the primary sector was 92, of which 66 were in agriculture and 26 were in forestry or lumber production. The number of jobs in the secondary sector was 1,061 of which 488 or (46.0%) were in manufacturing and 548 (51.6%) were in construction. The number of jobs in the tertiary sector was 1,066. In the tertiary sector; 544 or 51.0% were in wholesale or retail sales or the repair of motor vehicles, 48 or 4.5% were in the movement and storage of goods, 99 or 9.3% were in a hotel or restaurant, 11 or 1.0% were in the information industry, 12 or 1.1% were the insurance or financial industry, 69 or 6.5% were technical professionals or scientists, 70 or 6.6% were in education and 111 or 10.4% were in health care.<ref>[http://www.pxweb.bfs.admin.ch/Database/German_06%20-%20Industrie%20und%20Dienstleistungen/06.2%20-%20Unternehmen/06.2%20-%20Unternehmen.asp?lang=1&prod=06&secprod=2&openChild=true Swiss Federal Statistical Office STAT-TAB Betriebszählung: Arbeitsstätten nach Gemeinde und NOGA 2008 (Abschnitte), Sektoren 1-3] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141225013454/http://www.pxweb.bfs.admin.ch/Database/German_06%20-%20Industrie%20und%20Dienstleistungen/06.2%20-%20Unternehmen/06.2%20-%20Unternehmen.asp?lang=1&prod=06&secprod=2&openChild=true |date=25 December 2014 }} {{in lang|de}} accessed 28 January 2011</ref> In 2015, the Tamoil oil refinery ceased operations, putting some 250 employees out of work.


1967-1977  Jacques Berrut (2.5 terms)
{{as of|2000|alt=In 2000}}, there were 991 workers who commuted into the municipality and 2,114 workers who commuted away. The municipality is a net exporter of workers, with about 2.1 workers leaving the municipality for every one entering. About 3.1% of the workforce coming into Collombey-Muraz are coming from outside Switzerland, while 0.0% of the locals commute out of Switzerland for work.<ref name=commuter>[https://archive.is/20120804043150/http://www.media-stat.admin.ch/stat/pendler/pop.php Swiss Federal Statistical Office - Statweb] {{in lang|de}} accessed 24 June 2010</ref> Of the working population, 9% used public transportation to get to work, and 74.6% used a private car.<ref name=SFSO/>


1956-1967  Sylvain Chervaz (3 terms)
'''Agriculture and the environment'''


1933-1955  Bernard De Lavallaz (6 terms)
The major landscape and drainage works carried out on the valley floor during the Second World War made it possible to intensify crops and modernize the means of production.


1921-1932  Maurice Parvex (3 terms)
Environmental protection and land use planning are ongoing concerns to the authorities. The first development plan with its specific regulations dates back to 1964 and the public facilities related to environment issues are in constant realization.


1916-1919  Hubert Riondet
==Religion==
From the {{as of|2000|alt=2000 census}}, 4,033 or 70.8% were [[Roman Catholic]], while 772 or 13.6% belonged to the [[Swiss Reformed Church]]. Of the rest of the population, there were 26 [[Orthodox Christianity|members of an Orthodox church]] (or about 0.46% of the population), there were 8 individuals (or about 0.14% of the population) who belonged to the [[Christian Catholic Church of Switzerland|Christian Catholic Church]], and there were 147 individuals (or about 2.58% of the population) who belonged to another Christian church. There were 6 individuals (or about 0.11% of the population) who were [[Judaism|Jewish]], and 148 (or about 2.60% of the population) who were [[Islam]]ic. There were 11 individuals who were [[Buddhism|Buddhist]], 3 individuals who were [[Hinduism|Hindu]] and 5 individuals who belonged to another church. 362 (or about 6.36% of the population) belonged to no church, are [[Agnosticism|agnostic]] or [[Atheism|atheist]], and 240 individuals (or about 4.21% of the population) did not answer the question.<ref name=STAT2000/>


1912-1915  Hubert Burdevet
==Culture==
The municipality benefits from its proximity to Monthey with its rich and diverse cultural life. Within the commune, the musical groups ''Les Colombes'' and ''le Chœur mixte'' form the pillars of the culture backbone. An amateur theater group the ''Théâtre du Rovra'' offers the local public annual shows, something it has managed to do since 1946.


==Economy==
The socio-cultural faculties have developed greatly in recent years. ''Le Centre des Perraires'' is at the heart of this with a sports center with multipurpose rooms, swimming pool, primary schools, secondary school, a municipal library, three football fields, tennis courts, a network of walking and hiking trails, playgrounds, and a covered 200 seated-area to host events for clubs and families. The commune hosts its Swiss day celebrations on 1 August every year at ''Le Centre des Perraires''.
[[File:Collombey refinery in Switzerland, Tamoil.jpg|thumb|left|Tamoil's oil refinery in Collombey]]


=== Agriculture and environment ===
In sporting and cultural terms, 23 local clubs and societies allow for nearly 2,400 people to indulge in their favorites pastimes.
Significant public works carried out during the Second World War enabled the intensification of crops and the modernization of equipment in the plain of the Rhône river. A monument by the Collombey-le-Grand - Illarsaz road commemorates these efforts (Collombey-Muraz, Maurice Parvex).


Environmental protection and careful town and country planning are constant concerns and the first development plan with its specific regulations dates from 1964. To this day, environment-minded projects are constantly being implemented. The main wastewater recovery network with related treatment plants have been operational since 1978.
'''Sports'''


=== Industry ===
'''Football'''
The opening of Switzerland's first oil refinery in 1960, supplied by a pipeline from Genoa, Italy, triggered a significant industrial boom. Constant efforts to attract industry and crafts have led to the development of industrial zones, mainly in Collombey and Collombey-le-Grand. Over the past 30 years, many companies have chosen Collombey-Muraz to house their headquarters.


In 2015, the refinery’s activities ceased, leaving some 250 people unemployed.
The Collombey-Muraz Sporting Union (''L'Union sportive Collombey-Muraz, USCM'') was founded in 1970 as a result of the merger of FC Collombey and FC Muraz. In 2014 the club counted about 220 members distributed across fourteen teams, including a team playing in each the 2nd and 3rd regional leagues, one in senior league and 11 in junior leagues. The USCM also offers its youth a football academy that brings together 20 to 25 children per season.


==Culture and heritage==
'''Basketball'''


=== Buildings ===
The BBC Collombey-Muraz, created in 1982, is one of the many clubs active in Collombey-Muraz. It has an average of one hundred members. The club's principal goal stems from its statutes: to encourage the development of basketball and its practice, especially for the youth. The current committee is focusing on this last point and concentrating its efforts on the grouping of young people, in collaboration with the Chablais Valais (Monthey, Troistorrents) and Vaud (Aigle) clubs. The 1st team, present in the Swiss league championship since 1992 without interruption, sees itself as an ideal first step for a young person in their basketball career. Each season, young people from Chablais basketball come to join the team. For many years the club has been collaborating with the BBC Monthey as part of a partnership signed between the two clubs under the aegis of the National Basketball League. For more than 20 years, the club has been proud of having never paid a single player, playing in the 1st national league. The members come together simply because of their passion for the sport. The club strives to keep a family identity where everyone can find their place. It also offers adults, young and old, the opportunity to practice basketball in the 2nd cantonal league. Finally, the many youth teams (M19, M16, M14, M12, M10 and M8) crisscross Switzerland through their participation in the cantonal, Romands (COBB) and Swiss championships.


==== Collombey ====
'''Judo'''
''The Parish Church of Saint-Didier'' ''(''Eglise paroissiale Saint-Didier)''.'' This church replaces an older building, built in 1616 by Bishop Hildebrand Jost and transformed in 1723. The current church was erected in 1873 by the architect Émile Vuilloud and transformed in 1949 by enlarging the choir bays. Restoration 1962-1963. This neo-Romanesque style building, with three naves and a semi-circular apse choir, has a bell tower-porch characterized crowned by four corner turrets. Inside are baptismal fonts from around 1700 and mosaics and stained glass windows by Paul Monnier, 1965.


Detailed article (in French): [[:fr:Monastère de Collombey|Monastery of Collombey.]]
The Collombey-Muraz judo school (''l’école de judo de Collombey-Muraz'', EJCM) was founded in November 1977. Since that time members of the EJCM have won more than 200 competitions in the Valais and Swiss championships. The EJCM counts many black belts in its membership.


''The Manor of Châtillon-Larringes (''Manoir de Châtillon-Larringes'')'', located below the monastery, was rebuilt in 1653 after a fire. It was established on the site of the old tower of the nobles of Collombey, which had been passed on in the 14th century to Guillaume de Châtillon-Larringes, and which has been in the hands of the Du Fay de Lavallaz family since the beginning of the 17th century. The carriage door, in a full arch, goes back to 1633 and gives access to a service courtyard. Also present is a dwelling with a two-level portico and front body topped with a triangular gable, adorned with the painted Du Fey de Lavallaz coat of arms.
'''Table tennis'''


==== Collombey-le-Grand ====
The Collombey-Muraz table tennis club (''Le club de tennis de table de Collombey-Muraz, (''CTTCM) was founded in June 1974 and remains the principal table tennis club in the Chablais. CTTCM has played for over 40 years in the ''AVVF'' association of table tennis which groups the clubs of the cantons of Vaud, Valais and Friborg. At its foundation, the club had about ten members and played in the 4th league. It lost its first ever match to the Vouvry club (which has since disbanded). And yet from these humble beginnings the 1st team now evolves in the national "C" league.  The 2nd team plays in league one with the other four teams, formed of young and not so young, fight it out in the 3rd, 4th and 5th leagues. The committee in place puts a special emphasis on the table tennis academy (from 8 years) preparing what it hopes will be future champions or members of the club of tomorrow. This strategy is designed to ensure that the club retains its place as an active member of communal societies, hopefully even increasing its current level of activity. The club currently has 50 members (25 adults, 25 young people). CTT Collombey-Muraz is very active in its association with the ''AVVF''. On the cantonal level, it organized the Valais championships in 1977/1986/1994/2000/2004/2012/2014 and 2017. This last event took place the Corbier school gym from 4–5 February 2017. At the Swiss Romande level, CCTTCM organizes final matches, promotion and ranking tournaments. And on a national level, it organizes pools for promotion from league B to national league A, and the Swiss cup finals. In 2009, CTTCM organized an international match between Switzerland and Greece. The match took place in a packed house (more than 350 people); it was a great success and a showcase for table tennis.
''The Chapel of the Seven Joys of the Virgin'' (La chapelle des Sept-Joies-de-la-Vierge)'','' completed in1855, contains a baroque altarpiece with a central painting from 1858, by Emmanuel Chapelet, illustrating the Virgin.


==== Muraz ====
website: www.cttcollombey-muraz.ch
''The Parish Church of Saint-André'' (Église paroissiale Saint-André) replaced an older building, according to 13th century records. It was rebuilt in 1615-1623 under the aegis of Bishop Hildebrand Jost. The original bell tower survives, with an octagonal spire pierced with dormer windows, reused as a bell tower-porch. The current church, in neo-Gothic style with a single nave, a polygonal choir and a ribbed vault, was built in 1898 by Joseph de Kalbermatten. It was restored between 1972 and 1974, and again in 2019. Inside, a neo-Gothic main altar with statues of saints Guillaume, Urbain, Thérèse and Rosalie frames the tabernacle.


''The Chapel of Our Lady of the Snows'' (Chapelle Notre-Dame des Neiges'') is a rectangular'' 18th century building.
'''Running race'''


==== Illarsaz ====
The first edition of The "Bellevue Trail" took place on 29 June 2013. It offers two routes of 10 and 32&nbsp;km respectively, as well as a children's course.
''The Chapel of Saint-Bernard-de-Montjoux'' (Chapelle Saint-Bernard-de-Montjoux'')'' dates from 1965, when it replaced an 18th-century sanctuary. It is a concrete building with a detached bell tower. Inside, the baroque altar was taken from the old chapel and dates from the beginning of the 18th century. It displays the arms of Riedmatten and Stockalper. Mosaics and stained glass windows by Jean-Claude Morend.


==== Wells ====
'''Archery Club'''
The high water table encouraged Collombey, Collombey-le-Grand and Illarsaz to dig many wells and thus ensure an adequate water supply to the inhabitants and livestock. Records such as the ''Cahier de l’Association du Vieux Collombey-Muraz'' even suggest that whenever a family decided to build a house, the first step was to dig a well. There were 62 of them, many of which still exist today for ornamental purposes. The municipality has recognized this particular treasure by dedicating a street and even a square to it: the Rue des Puits and the Place des Puits.


==== The Bakery ====
The ''Arc-Club Collombey-Muraz'' brings together archers from all over Valais and the Chablais-vaudois. The association has been  based in the commune since 1973. It is affiliated to the national federation SwissArchery and supported by ''Jeunesse + Sport''. The archery club is active in competitive sport (on target as well as in the forest) and as a leisure activity. Many members have already distinguished themselves at the national level, and some even at the European level. It is open to Olympic arches (classical), compound arches, bare-bows, and more traditional arches (bowhunters and longbows). In summer, training takes place at the ''Bochet'' field and in the winter at the gym behind the Muraz church. Beginner classes are open to young people from the age of ten, as well as adults of all ages.
The demolition in 2000 of a house in Collombey-Le-Grand revealed the existence of a village bread oven. This discovery triggered the idea of rebuilding a communal oven in order to, on the one hand, preserve and enhance its recoverable elements and, on the other, carry out a project of general interest. An association was created for this purpose and the inauguration of the new construction was held on September 21, 2002.


Since then, four related events now take place four times a year:
'''Badminton'''


- Palm Sunday weekend
The Badminton Club Collombey-Muraz was established in the summer of 2003.


- Bread festival on the Saturday of the Federal Fast
'''Wrestling Club'''


- Patronal feast in November
The wrestling club of Illarsaz-Haut-Lac celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2012. Founded in 1942 by a group of wrestling friends from the region, training began outdoors. Despite the very basic means available to the club, very quickly a small group of about ten members was formed. Today, the wrestling club of Illarsaz-Haut-Lac trains more than 30 young people from the age of five. Indeed, the club has known in the past great moments of glory with many very good results in both Swiss wrestling and freestyle wrestling. These include many medals at the Swiss Free and Greco-Roman Wrestling Championships as well as several participations in various international championships. Our fighters have also been active in Swiss wrestling with many laurels and even a Federal crown for Alain Bifrare in 1986 in Sion. In recent years, the committee decided to revitalize the club - after seeing the numbers decline - with the arrival of new sports with a more "fun" element. The club put all its energy into promoting training and wrestling fixtures of young wrestlers. Wrestling requires many qualities such as agility, flexibility, coordination, intelligence, strength and fair play, which makes this sport one of the most complete packages. Our goal is to promote wrestling, in a fun and pleasant way while respecting the rules dictated by the "Youth and Sport" organisation. For the most motivated and eager, the club offers them the opportunity to participate in tournaments throughout the year. In recent years, the club has tried to organize a maximum amount of competitions within the municipality. In 2009, it hosted the Swiss Free Wrestling Championship with Florian Vieux finishing 3rd. In 2011 the championship Romand took place in the commune and during the summer of 2012, the Valaisan Cantonal Feast of Wrestling Switzerland took place at Les Perraires where Sylvain Vieux was crowned champion.


- Advent window.
'''Ski-Club Bellevue'''


=== Music, theater and sociocultural activities ===
On 11 December 1968, a team of friends met to form the SC Bellevue of Collombey-Muraz. Since then, the SC organizes every winter, ski-mountaineering, alpine skiing and hiking outings to. The handful of friends at the beginning has grown into a large active group. Indeed, today the SC has many members.
Located near Monthey, whose cultural life is rich and varied, the municipality has its own music societies - Les Colombes and the Villageoise de Muraz - and a choir (Choeur Mixte).


An amateur theatre troupe, Théâtre du Rovra, has been offering a show to the local public every year since 1946.
Since 1979, the members meet at the Chalet de Conches, a former alpine chalet now rented to the SC by the Bourgeoisie of Collombey-Muraz.


Sociocultural infrastructure has been developed: a school and sports center with multipurpose rooms, a swimming pool, a children’s daycare centre, primary schools, an "orientation cycle", a municipal library, three football fields, tennis courts, a network of pedestrian paths and hiking trails, playgrounds, a covered area of 200 seats for societies and families. In terms of sports and cultural, 23 local societies enable some 2400 people to indulge in their favorite pastime.
The flagship event, remains the traditional all-public competition, open to all members of the SC as well as to all the residents of the territory of the commune, it comprises:


==Notable People==
   a giant slalom (route: customs of Culet - Chalet Neuf);
* ''The Châtillon du Chablais family'', lord of the area and valley (13th – 17th centuries).
* ''Gilbert Constantin'', painter and sculptor (1947–2010).
* ''Alexis Gex-Fabry'', mountain runner and member of the municipal council.


==Coat of arms==
   a skinning race (route: Chalet-Neuf - Pointe de Bellevue).

'''Tennis club'''

The Collombey-Muraz Tennis Club (''le tennis club de Collombey-Muraz'', TCMC) founded in 1984, is one of the commune's largest sports clubs. Its competition groups include, five interclub teams including two men's (active and young seniors) in the 2nd League, two men's (young seniors) in the 3rd League and one women's (young senior ladies) in the 1st League groups.  The TCMC has more than a hundred Swisstennis licensees. In August each year, the club organizes a Grand Open tournament overseen by Swisstennis.

'''Châble-Croix Shooting club'''

In 2008, the ''Tir Sportive Châble-Croix'' sports shooting club came in to being through the merger of the ''Les Carabiniers de Collombey-Muraz'', ''L'Avenir de Vionnaz'' and ''Le Petit Caliber de Châble-''Croix . In 2014, the culb won the title of Swiss champion in the LNB section competition, and many of its representatives are known at both cantonal and national levels.

'''Combat sports'''

The commune of Collombey-Muraz has a Tai-jitsu club since 2008, a karate club and a martial arts school.

'''Acrobatic Rock / RCC Tequila Rock'''

The Tequila Rock club was founded in Collombey-Muraz in 1994. It participates in events such as weddings, demonstrations, entertainment evenings and competitions, etc.

'''Women's Gymnastics Society'''

Since its founding in 1957, the ''Companie Feminine de Gymnastique'' (SFG) "The doves" (''les Colombes'') of Collombey-Muraz has continued to develop gymnastics in the municipality. With 319 members from 2 to 78 years old and 41 instructors (as of June 2016), the SFG offers some 25 hours a week of gymnastics: Parents-Children gym, children's gym, Youth A and B (from 6 to 16 years), Juniors, Bodyfit, Ladies 35 + / 55 +, not to mention the specialized groups "Apparel Gymnastics", "Athletics" and a "Power Yoga" class.

==Education==
Collombey-Muraz offers to the children of the commune nursery and primary schools, as well as a secondary school on the site of ''Les Perraires'' in Collombey. In view of the municipality's demographic expansion, a new school in the village of Muraz opened its doors for the start of 2014-15 school year.

The Commune is also home to a communal day nursery ''Les Menoits'' and an out-of-school-hours activities/care center for pupils up to the age of 11, ''Le Coup de Pouce''.

In Collombey-Muraz about 2,064 or (36.2%) of the population have completed non-mandatory [[Education in Switzerland#Secondary|upper secondary education]], and 503 or (8.8%) have completed additional higher education (either [[List of universities in Switzerland|university]] or a ''[[Fachhochschule]]''). Of the 503 who completed tertiary schooling, 53.3% were Swiss men, 27.6% were Swiss women, 11.5% were non-Swiss men and 7.6% were non-Swiss women.<ref name="STAT2000" />

{{as of|2000}}, there were 22 students in Collombey-Muraz who came from another municipality, while 214 residents attended schools outside the municipality.<ref name=commuter/>

Collombey-Muraz is home to the ''Bibliothèque communale'' library. The library has ({{as of|2008|lc=on}}) 13,019 books or other media, and loaned out 34,135 items in the same year. It was open a total of 121 days with average of 14 hours per week during that year.<ref>[http://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/portal/de/index/themen/16/02/02/data.html Swiss Federal Statistical Office, list of libraries] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150706231342/http://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/portal/de/index/themen/16/02/02/data.html |date=6 July 2015 }} {{in lang|de}} accessed 14 May 2010</ref>

== Transports ==
The village of Collombey is served by two railway lines, the CFF [[Saint-Gingolph–Saint-Maurice railway|Tonkin line]] (Saint-Maurice–Saint-Gingolph) and the regional tram, the AOMC ([[Aigle–Ollon–Monthey–Champéry railway|Aigle–Ollon–Monthey–Champéry]]). ''[[Transports Publics du Chablais]]'' (TPC) offers a vast bus service connecting the commune's five villages and the wider Chablais with services to Monthey, Vionnaz, Vouvry, Aigle, Bex etc.

Junction 18 (St-Triphon, Pas-de-Morgins) of the [[A9 motorway (Switzerland)|A9 motorway]] is two kilometres from the centre of Collombey.

==Notable People==
Gilbert Constantin, painter and sculptor (1947-2010).


==References==
=== Blazon ===
The coat of arms of Collombey-Muraz combines doves, which represent Collombey, and a wall representing Muraz. Several variations have been recorded: with a dungeon and surrounding wall, with a tower instead of a dungeon, or with a solid wall with two of the three doves perched on it.
{{reflist}}


== Notes and references ==
==External links==
{{Reflist}}
{{commons category|Collombey-Muraz}}
* [http://www.collombey-muraz.ch Official website] {{in lang|fr}}
Please refer to the French site > [http://www.collombey-muraz.ch Official website]
* {{HDS|2739|Collombey-Muraz}}


{{Municipalities of the district of Monthey}}
{{Municipalities of the district of Monthey}}
{{Authority control}}


[[Category:Municipalities of Valais]]
[[Category:Municipalities of Valais]]

Latest revision as of 14:40, 6 December 2024

Collombey-Muraz
Municipality
Aerial view of central Collombey
Aerial view of central Collombey
Flag of Collombey-Muraz
Flag
Coat of arms of Collombey-Muraz
Coat of arms
Location of Collombey-Muraz
Map
Collombey-Muraz is located in Switzerland
Collombey-Muraz
Collombey-Muraz
Collombey-Muraz is located in Canton of Valais
Collombey-Muraz
Collombey-Muraz
Coordinates: 46°16′N 6°57′E / 46.267°N 6.950°E / 46.267; 6.950
CountrySwitzerland
CantonValais
DistrictMonthey
Government
 • MayorPrésident
Olivier Turin SPS/PSS
Area
[1]
 • Total
29.8 km2 (11.5 sq mi)
Elevation
392 m (1,286 ft)
Population
 (31 December 2018)[2]
 • Total
9,256
 • Density310/km2 (800/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (Central European Time)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (Central European Summer Time)
Postal code(s)
1868
SFOS number6152
ISO 3166 codeCH-VS
Surrounded byAigle (VD), Châtel (FR-74), Monthey, Ollon (VD), Troistorrents, Vionnaz, Vouvry
Websitewww.collombey-muraz.ch
SFSO statistics

Collombey-Muraz is a municipality in the district of Monthey in the canton of Valais in Switzerland.

Geography

[edit]

After the town of Saint-Maurice, the Rhône river flows north towards Lake Geneva. The plain widens on both sides of it, with an area called the Chablais valaisan on its left bank. The district of Monthey is part of it with its nine municipalities, one of which is Collombey-Muraz.

Collombey-Muraz includes the villages of Collombey, Muraz, Collombey-le-Grand, Illarsaz, and Les Neyres. Due to its high proportion of flat ground, it is one of the largest municipalities in the Valais, extending over 29.81 km2.

A survey in 2013-2018 established that housing and infrastructure represented 14.1% of its territory, agricultural areas 36.5%, wooded areas 40.0%, and unproductive areas 9.3%.

Seven alpine pastures, Chalet-Neuf, Conches, Chemeneau, Grand-Crau, Dreveneuse d’en Bas, Chermeux and Onnaz, extend over the heights bordering France. They are owned by the bourgeoisie, who rent them to farmers for the summer season.

The highest point of the municipality, La Pointe de Bellevue at 2,042 metres, offers a view stretching from Lake Geneva to the Dents du Midi. Since 2013, it has given its name to a popular foot race.

The villages

[edit]

Collombey

[edit]

Collombey is the largest of the municipality's five villages, with nearly 4,600 inhabitants at the end of 2016. It has experienced unprecedented growth since the 1990s with the construction of shopping centers and many residential buildings.

Muraz

[edit]

On a hillside, Muraz has long suffered from the whims of the two streams bordering it, which have destroyed crops and flooded homes. The village extends on either side of the cantonal road, between a mountain flank and the plain. Like other localities, Muraz has grown considerably and presently has some 2,700 inhabitants.

Collombey-le-Grand

[edit]

If the "grand" in Collombey-le-Grand ever indicated that the village was bigger or grander than neighbouring Collombey, then that was only true before the 12th century (according to Maurice Parvex, Collombey-Muraz). Today the village still deserves this qualifier if it includes the vast industrial area bordering it. With some 500 inhabitants, the village was originally huddled around the Chapel of Our Lady of the Seven Joys (chapelle Notre Dame des Sept-Joies) before experiencing considerable growth and extending into the plain.

Illarsaz

[edit]

Illarsaz is a quintessential valley floor village, on the road connecting Vionnaz to Aigle. It was once surrounded by marshes, which have now given way to agriculture. The locality consists mainly of individual villas for a population of about 700 inhabitants.

Les Neyres

[edit]

On a hillside, nestled between Monthey and Troistorrents, Les Neyres is the fifth and smallest village of the municipality. You have to take the Val d’Illiez road (route du Val d'Illiez) to discover Les Neyres, a scattered habitat of some 400 inhabitants. Like the other villages, Les Neyres has experienced strong growth in recent years, even prompting the municipality to reopen an infant school.

Transport

[edit]

The village of Collombey is served by two railway lines: the CFF Tonkin line (Saint-Maurice – Saint-Gingolph) and the AOMC regional train (Aigle – Ollon – Monthey - Champéry). In addition, a city bus travels hourly to Monthey. The five villages of the municipality are also connected to the surrounding localities by a bus service run by the Public Transport of Chablais (TPC).

Toponymy

[edit]

Collombey derives from the Latin noun cŏlumbārium, which refers either to a dovecote, or to a tomb or to a burial vault. It is not possible to know which applies, even though the municipality’s coat of arms includes doves.

Muraz derives from the Latin noun murum (plural: mura). It refers to a place consisting of remains of walls and constructions. The final z is silent, indicating that the accent is on the u and that the a is atonic.

In Valaisan patois, Collombey is pronounced Collambâ.

History

[edit]

The geographical and political configuration as an autonomous municipality dates back to the division of the castellany of Monthey in 1787.

Geological evolution has left erratic blocks such as the Pierre à Dzo (300 m³), the Pierre à Muguet (1,000 m³), and the Bloc Studer (500 m³). The archaeological site of Châble-Croix, dating back to between 6880 and 6330 BC, could be the oldest in the Valais. From 1900 the exploitation of granite from the ancient glacial moraine uncovered Neolithic necropolises on the heights of Barmaz, dating back to the Neolithic age, around 3000 to 1800 BC.

Historic aerial photograph by Werner Friedli from 1949

The history of Collombey-Muraz was essentially agricultural until the 1960s.

Key historical events in Collombey-Muraz

[edit]

1216: Start of the construction of the Arbignon castle by the family of the same name, which will become the Monastery of the Bernardines.

1283: First mention of the parish of Muraz, after its separation from that of Collombey. Ancient foundations under the current church.

1630: Construction of the Châtillon castle, which will become the Manor of Fay de Lavallaz and whose first foundations date from the beginning of the 14th century.

1643: Reconstruction by the Bernardines of the Arbignon castle with a view to setting up their monastery.

1647: Foundation of the Monastery of the Bernardines.

1723: Official separation of Collombey and Monthey. Collombey becomes a parish again following the consecration of the old church in 1723.

1787: Division of the castellany of Monthey. On September 22, 1787, Governor Jean-Joseph Jost invites representatives of Troistorrents, Collombey, and Muraz to appear before him on October 2, 1787, on the subject of the division of communal property.

1798: Population census: Collombey 209 inhabitants, Collombey-le-Grand 70, Muraz 202, Illarsaz 53, Les Neyres 57.

1811: Fire in the church of Collombey.

1826: Construction of the Collombey presbytery.

1847: Closure of the gates of the bridge over the Rhône between Collombey and Saint-Triphon and establishment of permanently guarded fortifications along the Rhône

1855: Reconstruction of the chapel of Collombey-le-Grand dedicated to Our Lady of the Seven Joys.

1859: Crossing of the municipal territory by the first locomotive of the Tonkin line.

1873: Inauguration of the new church in Collombey.

1876: Foundation of the music society “La Collombeyrienne”.

1881: Charles de Lavallaz founds a tobacco and cigar factory in Monthey.

1894: Construction of the Illarsaz bridge by G. Schmiedt of Geneva.

1897: Foundation in Muraz of the music society “La Villageoise”.

1898: Inauguration of the new church in Muraz (bell tower from 1657) and of the town hall in Collombey.

1906: Construction of the bridge over the Rhône between Collombey and Saint-Triphon. Length 72 m, weight 170.3 tons.

1907: Opening of the Aigle-Ollon-Monthey train line.

1909: Foundation in Collombey of the music society “L’Avenir”.

1941: Establishment of a camp for Polish internees in Illarsaz, Russians and Germans will also be interned later.

1946: Electrification of the Tonkin line from Saint-Maurice to Collombey.

1960: Opening of Switzerland's first oil refinery.

1970-1971: Construction of a school complex on the “Route de Collombey-le-Grand”.

1976: Construction of the bridge over the CFF track in Vionnaz (entirely on Collombey-Muraz territory), as well as the bridge over the Rhône leading to the highway.

1976: Inauguration of SATOM.

1981: Visit of Mr. Kurt Fürgler, President of the Confederation, to the Convent of the Bernardines in Collombey.

1986: Construction of a new bridge over the Rhône between Collombey and Saint-Triphon, downstream from the previous one.

1988: Celebration of the bicentenary of the municipality of Collombey-Muraz.

2015: Closure of the Tamoil oil refinery.

2022: A local referendum turns down a proposal to merge Collombey-Muraz with Monthey.

Demonyms and nicknames

[edit]

The inhabitants of Collombey are called Collombeyrouds or Collomberous. They are nicknamed lou Bérou, which means rams in Valaisan patois.

The inhabitants of Muraz are called Muriands. They are nicknamed Fascines, in reference to the making of twig bundles to be used as firewood.

Demographics

[edit]
Collombey rail station
[edit]

In early 2023 Collombey-Muraz had a population of 9,739, with a density of 327 inhabitants per square kilometre. Between 2010 and 2019, its population increased by 30.1% (canton: 10.5%; Switzerland: 9.4%).

Age spread

[edit]

In 2020, the proportion of people under 30 in Collombey-Muraz was 37.4%, which was above the cantonal level (31.7%). The proportion of people over 60 was 18.5%, compared to the cantonal level (26.6%).

In the same year, 4,767 men and 4,831 women made up the municipality's population, resulting in a male rate of 48.9%, which was higher than the cantonal rate of 48.4%.

Education

[edit]

Collombey-Muraz provides kindergarten, primary schools and a secondary school ("cycle d'orientation" on the Perraires site) for the children of the municipality. Responding to local demographic expansion, a new school opened in the village of Muraz at the start of the 2014 school year.

Sports

[edit]

Football

[edit]

The Union Sportive Collombey-Muraz (USCM) was founded in 1970, born of the merger of FC Collombey and FC Muraz. The club has about 220 members spread over fourteen teams, including two in "active" leagues (2nd regional and 3rd league), one at senior level and eleven at junior level. The USCM also runs a football school that brings together 20 to 25 children per season.

Basketball

[edit]

The BBC Collombey-Muraz was created in 1982. It has an average of 100 members. The 1st team has been present in the Swiss 1st league championship since 1992, without interruption. The club works closely with the BBC Monthey as part of a partnership signed between the two clubs under the aegis of the National Basketball League. The club also offers the possibility for adults, young and old, to play basketball in the 2nd cantonal league. Finally, the many youth teams (M19, M16, M14, M12, M10, and M8) crisscross Switzerland as they compete in cantonal, Romand (COBB), and Swiss championships.

Judo

[edit]

Collombey-Muraz's judo school (EJCM) was founded in November 1977. In 25 years of existence, its members have won more than 200 cantonal and Swiss titles. With a hundred members, the EJCM has many black belts.

Table tennis

[edit]

The Collombey-Muraz table tennis club (CTTCM) was founded in June 1974. It plays as part of the “AVVF” table tennis association, which brings together clubs from the cantons of Vaud, Valais, and Fribourg. The club started with fewer than a dozen members. The 1st team competes in the national league “C” and the 2nd team in the 1st league. The four other teams, with members young and less so, compete in the 3rd, 4th, and 5th leagues. The committee takes special care of the table tennis school (from 8 years old).

Running

[edit]

The “Trail de Bellevue”, whose 1st edition took place on June 29, 2013, organises two races, one of 10 km and the other of 32, as well as a children’s race.

Archery club

[edit]

The Arc-Club Collombey-Muraz, founded in 1973, brings together archers from all over the Chablais (Valais and Vaud). It is active in competitive sport (both target and forest shooting) and leisure. Many members have already distinguished themselves at the national level, and even at the European level for some. It is open to Olympic bows (classic), compound bows, barebows, as well as more traditional bows (bowhunters and longbows).

Wrestling club (Swiss and Greco-Roman)

[edit]

The Illarsaz-Haut-Lac wrestling club celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2012. Founded in 1942 by a group of wrestler friends from the region, initial training sessions took place outdoors. Despite very basic means, a core group of about ten enthusiasts developed. At any given time, the club trains more than 30 young people from the age of five. It has experienced moments of glory with many excellent results both in Swiss wrestling and in freestyle wrestling, including numerous medals during the Swiss freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling championships of our former wrestlers, as well as participations in international championships. Our wrestlers have also displayed considerable agility in Swiss wrestling competitions, with numerous laurels and even a federal crown won by Alain Bifrare in 1986, in Sion. For several years, the club has been trying to organise as many competitions as possible within the municipality. In 2009, the Swiss freestyle wrestling championship took place here, with Florian Vieux finishing 3rd. In 2011, Collombey-Muraz hosted the Romand championship. During the summer of 2012, the Valaisan Cantonal Swiss Wrestling Festival took place at the Perraires; Sylvain Vieux was victorious there.

Ski Club

[edit]

On December 11, 1968, a team of friends gathered to found the SC Bellevue of Collombey-Muraz. Since then, the SC has organised ski outings, track and hiking every winter. Since 1979, members have been meeting at the Chalet de Conches, an old alpine chalet, rented to the SC by the Bourgeoisie of Collombey-Muraz. The flagship event remains the traditional popular competition, open to all members of the SC as well as to all people living on the territory of the municipality. It includes a giant slalom (course: Culet customs - Chalet Neuf) and a sealskin race (course: Chalet-Neuf - Bellevue peak).

Tennis Club

[edit]

The Tennis-Club Collombey-Muraz, founded in 1984, is one of the largest sports societies in the municipality. Five interclub teams, including two male (active and young seniors) in the 2nd League, two male (young seniors) in the 3rd League and one female (young senior ladies) in the 1st League, make up the competing groups. The club has more than a hundred Swisstennis licensees. Every year, the club organises a Grand Open tournament overseen by Swisstennis in August.

Shooting

[edit]

Founded in 2008, the “Sport Shooting Châble-Croix” society was born of the merger of the shooting societies “Les Carabiniers de Collombey-Muraz”, “L’Avenir de Vionnaz” and the “Petit Calibre de Châble-Croix”. In 2014, the society became Swiss champion of the section competition in the LNB ordnance weapons category and several of its representatives stand out both at cantonal and national levels.

Politics

[edit]

The Municipal Council is the executive authority of the municipality of Collombey-Muraz. On January 1, 2013, the number of councilors was reduced from 9 to 7. Each councilor leads a department that operates by committee (composed of citizens of Collombey-Muraz) and/or by delegation (composed of municipal councilors). These committees or delegations are chaired by the councilor in charge of the department concerned.

The municipality of Collombey-Muraz also has, since January 1, 2013, a General Council, which is the legislative authority and whose 45 representatives were elected for the first time on November 11, 2012.

Presidents since 1912 (in the Valais, a mayor is referred to as a president)

2021-2024 Olivier Turin

2013–2020 Yannick Buttet (2 terms)

2006-2012 Josiane Granger (1.5 terms)

2001-2006 Laurent Métrailler (1.5 terms)

1985-2000  Antoine Lattion (4 terms)

1977-1984  Arthur Zimmermann

1967-1977  Jacques Berrut (2.5 terms)

1956-1967  Sylvain Chervaz (3 terms)

1933-1955  Bernard De Lavallaz (6 terms)

1921-1932  Maurice Parvex (3 terms)

1916-1919  Hubert Riondet

1912-1915  Hubert Burdevet

Economy

[edit]
Tamoil's oil refinery in Collombey

Agriculture and environment

[edit]

Significant public works carried out during the Second World War enabled the intensification of crops and the modernization of equipment in the plain of the Rhône river. A monument by the Collombey-le-Grand - Illarsaz road commemorates these efforts (Collombey-Muraz, Maurice Parvex).

Environmental protection and careful town and country planning are constant concerns and the first development plan with its specific regulations dates from 1964. To this day, environment-minded projects are constantly being implemented. The main wastewater recovery network with related treatment plants have been operational since 1978.

Industry

[edit]

The opening of Switzerland's first oil refinery in 1960, supplied by a pipeline from Genoa, Italy, triggered a significant industrial boom. Constant efforts to attract industry and crafts have led to the development of industrial zones, mainly in Collombey and Collombey-le-Grand. Over the past 30 years, many companies have chosen Collombey-Muraz to house their headquarters.

In 2015, the refinery’s activities ceased, leaving some 250 people unemployed.

Culture and heritage

[edit]

Buildings

[edit]

Collombey

[edit]

The Parish Church of Saint-Didier (Eglise paroissiale Saint-Didier). This church replaces an older building, built in 1616 by Bishop Hildebrand Jost and transformed in 1723. The current church was erected in 1873 by the architect Émile Vuilloud and transformed in 1949 by enlarging the choir bays. Restoration 1962-1963. This neo-Romanesque style building, with three naves and a semi-circular apse choir, has a bell tower-porch characterized crowned by four corner turrets. Inside are baptismal fonts from around 1700 and mosaics and stained glass windows by Paul Monnier, 1965.

Detailed article (in French): Monastery of Collombey.

The Manor of Châtillon-Larringes (Manoir de Châtillon-Larringes), located below the monastery, was rebuilt in 1653 after a fire. It was established on the site of the old tower of the nobles of Collombey, which had been passed on in the 14th century to Guillaume de Châtillon-Larringes, and which has been in the hands of the Du Fay de Lavallaz family since the beginning of the 17th century. The carriage door, in a full arch, goes back to 1633 and gives access to a service courtyard. Also present is a dwelling with a two-level portico and front body topped with a triangular gable, adorned with the painted Du Fey de Lavallaz coat of arms.

Collombey-le-Grand

[edit]

The Chapel of the Seven Joys of the Virgin (La chapelle des Sept-Joies-de-la-Vierge), completed in1855, contains a baroque altarpiece with a central painting from 1858, by Emmanuel Chapelet, illustrating the Virgin.

Muraz

[edit]

The Parish Church of Saint-André (Église paroissiale Saint-André) replaced an older building, according to 13th century records. It was rebuilt in 1615-1623 under the aegis of Bishop Hildebrand Jost. The original bell tower survives, with an octagonal spire pierced with dormer windows, reused as a bell tower-porch. The current church, in neo-Gothic style with a single nave, a polygonal choir and a ribbed vault, was built in 1898 by Joseph de Kalbermatten. It was restored between 1972 and 1974, and again in 2019. Inside, a neo-Gothic main altar with statues of saints Guillaume, Urbain, Thérèse and Rosalie frames the tabernacle.

The Chapel of Our Lady of the Snows (Chapelle Notre-Dame des Neiges) is a rectangular 18th century building.

Illarsaz

[edit]

The Chapel of Saint-Bernard-de-Montjoux (Chapelle Saint-Bernard-de-Montjoux) dates from 1965, when it replaced an 18th-century sanctuary. It is a concrete building with a detached bell tower. Inside, the baroque altar was taken from the old chapel and dates from the beginning of the 18th century. It displays the arms of Riedmatten and Stockalper. Mosaics and stained glass windows by Jean-Claude Morend.

Wells

[edit]

The high water table encouraged Collombey, Collombey-le-Grand and Illarsaz to dig many wells and thus ensure an adequate water supply to the inhabitants and livestock. Records such as the Cahier de l’Association du Vieux Collombey-Muraz even suggest that whenever a family decided to build a house, the first step was to dig a well. There were 62 of them, many of which still exist today for ornamental purposes. The municipality has recognized this particular treasure by dedicating a street and even a square to it: the Rue des Puits and the Place des Puits.

The Bakery

[edit]

The demolition in 2000 of a house in Collombey-Le-Grand revealed the existence of a village bread oven. This discovery triggered the idea of rebuilding a communal oven in order to, on the one hand, preserve and enhance its recoverable elements and, on the other, carry out a project of general interest. An association was created for this purpose and the inauguration of the new construction was held on September 21, 2002.

Since then, four related events now take place four times a year:

- Palm Sunday weekend

- Bread festival on the Saturday of the Federal Fast

- Patronal feast in November

- Advent window.

Music, theater and sociocultural activities

[edit]

Located near Monthey, whose cultural life is rich and varied, the municipality has its own music societies - Les Colombes and the Villageoise de Muraz - and a choir (Choeur Mixte).

An amateur theatre troupe, Théâtre du Rovra, has been offering a show to the local public every year since 1946.

Sociocultural infrastructure has been developed: a school and sports center with multipurpose rooms, a swimming pool, a children’s daycare centre, primary schools, an "orientation cycle", a municipal library, three football fields, tennis courts, a network of pedestrian paths and hiking trails, playgrounds, a covered area of 200 seats for societies and families. In terms of sports and cultural, 23 local societies enable some 2400 people to indulge in their favorite pastime.

Notable People

[edit]
  • The Châtillon du Chablais family, lord of the area and valley (13th – 17th centuries).
  • Gilbert Constantin, painter and sculptor (1947–2010).
  • Alexis Gex-Fabry, mountain runner and member of the municipal council.

Coat of arms

[edit]

Blazon

[edit]

The coat of arms of Collombey-Muraz combines doves, which represent Collombey, and a wall representing Muraz. Several variations have been recorded: with a dungeon and surrounding wall, with a tower instead of a dungeon, or with a solid wall with two of the three doves perched on it.

Notes and references

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Arealstatistik Standard - Gemeinden nach 4 Hauptbereichen". Federal Statistical Office. Retrieved 13 January 2019.
  2. ^ "Ständige Wohnbevölkerung nach Staatsangehörigkeitskategorie Geschlecht und Gemeinde; Provisorische Jahresergebnisse; 2018". Federal Statistical Office. 9 April 2019. Retrieved 11 April 2019.

Please refer to the French site > Official website

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