| Mormont | |
|---|---|
 The chalk mining pit as seen from the hill summit. | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 605 m (1,985 ft) |
| Prominence | 115 m (377 ft)[1] |
| Coordinates | 46°39′25.42″N6°32′16.84″E / 46.6570611°N 6.5380111°E /46.6570611; 6.5380111 |
| Geography | |
  Mormont Location in Switzerland | |
| Location | Vaud,Switzerland |
Le Mormont is a hill in the Swisscanton of Vaud, rising to an elevation of 605 metres, with aprominence of about 115 metres. It is part of theÉclépens municipality between lakesNeuchatel andGeneva. The name is first recorded in AD 814, asMauromonte. It is derived from the Roman-era personal nameMaurus.[2]
Le Mormont is a hill in the Swisscanton of Vaud, part of theÉclépens municipality, about halfway between lakesNeuchatel andGeneva. It is rising to an elevation of 605 metres, with aprominence of about 115 metres, forming a watershed between theRhine and theRhone basins, separating theVenoge and theOrbe valleys to the south and north, respectively. The mountain istopographically connected to theJura Mountains to the west. East of Le Mormont runs theEntreroches gorge (460 m).
The nearest village is La Sarraz with 2700 inhabitants, 3 churches and twice hourly trains for Lafarge-Holcim ´s 100 employees.[3]
In 2009, the cantonal archaeological office of Vaud performed awatching brief excavation, which led to the discovery of a lateLa Tène period (c. 100 BC)Helvetic cult site with a total of 250 Celtic burial pits containing sacrificial deposits. Among the deposited goods were ceramic and bronze vessels, iron tools, jewelry, grinding stones, coins, and both animal and human remains. It was reported as being of unprecedented size and richness for the period. It is unclear whether the human remains represent a cemetery or evidence ofhuman sacrifice.The site is of primary importance forGaulish religion on the eve of theRoman conquest.
The flora of Mormont is characterized by a dominance of thermophilic and submediterranean middle-European elements, with a surprising intrusion of mountain species in a site covered with hill vegetation. As of 2013 with more than 900 species recorded on the site, the Mormont has been considered one of the botanical hotspots of the canton of Vaud, with as a definite advantage the fact that it is still very preserved from invasive plants. It includes 200 rare species at the cantonal level, even at the Swiss level, threatened, and about 100red listed, including a large number of orchids and a rare linden hybrid in the spontaneous state. The variety of oak trees is exceptionally rich.[4]
In the 17th century, theCanal d’Entreroches was dug through theEntreroches gorge, enabling water transportation between the Rhone and the Rhine rivers. The canal ceased to be profitable in the 18th century, and when a bridge across the canal collapsed in 1829, it was shut down altogether.The course of the historical canal is now traversed by arailway tunnel of theLausanne-Yverdon line.
Since 1953, Le Mormont has been substantiallymined for chalk by multinationalLafargeHolcim, producing 800,000 tons ofcement and 400,000 tons of CO2 annually.[5]
In 2006 to 2009 it was planned to extend the mining pit to the hill's summit, but because of the importance of the archaeological site, the mining operation was put on hold until a more detailed archaeological excavation could take place in 2014/15.[citation needed]
In 2016, the canton of Vaud issued a permit for expansion of the pit until 2029. Local inhabitants and environmental organisations filed a lawsuit, which failed in cantonal courts.[5]
On October 17, 2020, 30-40 environmental activists occupied azone à défendre (ZAD) on top of the hill above La Birette to protect the ecosystem from destruction. The Tribunal Fédéral decided in March 2021 that the expansion could proceed.[5] The camp was evicted on March 30; stones and pyrotechnics were met with tear gas and rubber bullets, by the police.[6]
Media related toLe Mormont at Wikimedia Commons