Sévaz lies between Lake Neuchâtel and the Broye plain, on a plateau in the northwestern Fribourg Central Plateau. The political municipality belongs to the Broye District in the Canton of Fribourg. Estavayer-le-Lac is 2.5 km to the east-southeast as the crow flies. The elevation, historic chapel and trails through the landscape all provide practical points of reference for exploring the area.
Ridge, views and the Arignon
The village of Sévaz lies on a plateau on a broad ridge that separates Lake Neuchâtel from the Broye plain. The linear village sits slightly elevated and offers views of the Jura massif and the Alps. The municipal area is mostly flat: to the north, it extends to the Champ de Lune fields, and to the east, to Haut de Champ Bory. At 500 m, this is the highest point in Sévaz. To the south, the area extends across the Fin de la Râpe forest into the Arignon valley. The plateau, ridge and valley each reveal a different side of the landscape.
Local history and cultural heritage
The name also refers to the landscape of the past: Sévaz derives from the woods (silva) that covered the region until the 14th century. The Chapelle Saint-Nicolas dates from the 14th century; its portal was built in the second half of the 15th century. The chapel was founded by canons of the Grand-Bernard.
In the Swiss Inventory of Cultural Property Protection for the Canton of Fribourg, as of 1 January 2026, the Chapelle Saint-Nicolas is listed as a Category B object. Tudinges is listed there as an Iron Age metalworking site and Category A cultural property. The two entries relate to different historical periods: the chapel’s construction history and Iron Age metalworking.
Hiking and skating
The Montet–Frasses–Sévaz–Bussy–Montet circular hiking trail is 8 km long, takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes, and has an elevation gain of 208 m. It passes through the village centre of Sévaz at an altitude of about 490 m. After Sévaz, a marked trail heads towards Bussy and then to the Arignon watercourse. The Arignon rises there, in the industrial area of Sévaz; a wildlife corridor with wooded strips and floodplains runs alongside it. Check trail conditions before setting out.
For another option on wheels, try National Route No. 3, the Mittelland Skate Route. It passes over the ridge near Sévaz and then descends to Estavayer-le-Lac. The Avenches–Estavayer-le-Lac stage is 23 km long. For the circular hiking trail, both the approximate duration and elevation gain are given alongside the distance; for the skate route, the distance refers to the entire stage.
More activities in Sévaz
Fun4All in Sévaz has 18 bowling lanes, six billiard tables and an indoor pétanque court. The facilities also include a beer garden, a restaurant and a Kid's Park. A large free car park has spaces for people with reduced mobility. As facilities and parking options may change, check the latest details before your visit.
When looking for a holiday apartment in Sévaz, consider whether you would like to focus your stay on cultural history, a hike or the skate route. The chapel and Tudinges represent different historical topics; the circular trail and skate stage differ both in activity and in the route information available.
Discover more destinations: Lully Fr.
Go to the main travel overview: Broye.
