The history of the village of Cerniat is closely linked to that of the Carthusian monastery of La Valsainte, although it was already inhabited before the monastery was founded in 1295. Amidst the ciernes - cleared pastures - and forests, Cerniat boasts an astonishing number of well-preserved farmhouses dating back to the 18th century. The village is often cited as an example of how to maintain its rich heritage while renewing it.

After practically doubling its population in the 19th century, from less than 400 to 750, Cerniat, like most of the villages in the Gruyère region, suffered from the exodus of the rural population due to industrialisation in the 20th century. In 1980, the village had just 328 inhabitants. This decline has been halted thanks to the growth of the Gruyère district since the construction of the N12 motorway.

A VILLAGE OF HAMLETS: THE EXAMPLE OF BORGEAT

The village of Cerniat, on the old plain road that leads from Crésuz (910 m) to La Valsainte (1015 m), is made up of several hamlets:

- les Utzets (975 m),

- le Borgeat, which ends at the church (925 m)

- Cerniat proper (930 m) - street village with school and inn

- les Riaux (925 m).

The hamlet of Le Borgeat was burnt to the ground in 1799 and rebuilt as it remains today. A fire on Christmas night in 1838 destroyed the parish church and rectory at the bottom of the hamlet.

In collaboration with the municipality of Val-de-Charmey