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Arare

Canton of Geneva · No published figure for the locality; the municipality of Plan-les-Ouates has 12'700 inhabitants (31.12.2025)
Part of the municipality of Plan-les-Ouates
Origin of the name Founding Historical timeline Must-see historical sites Sources and references Nearby villages

Origin of the name Arare

The origin of the name Arare has not yet been explained.

Founding of Arare

Nobody knows when Arare came into being. In the Middle Ages its lands reportedly depended among others on the chapter of Genève, the priory of Saint-Jean hors-les-murs and the commandery of Compesières. The hamlet is divided into Arare-Dessus and Arare-Dessous. Its heart lies around the fountain and former dairy of Arare-Dessous. Around 1759 it was one of only three inhabited places in today's municipality of Plan-les-Ouates, with Saconnex-d'Arve and Vers.[1][2][4]

History of Arare

1374. Through an exchange with the Countess of the Genevois, the chapter of Genève reportedly obtains quitrents between Arare and Perly.

15th-16th century. Construction of the fortified house of Arare.[2][4]

Early 16th century. The fortified house reportedly belongs to the de la Croix family at this time.

1628. The fortified house reportedly passes to the de Veillet family, then in 1695 to the de Launay family.

Around 1759. Arare, Saconnex-d'Arve and Vers are the only inhabited areas of today's municipality of Plan-les-Ouates.[2]

1813-1919. During this period the fortified house reportedly belongs to the de la Grave d'Avusy family.

1830. Construction of the fountain of Arare-Dessus.[2]

1836. The fountain of Arare-Dessous is built, in 1836 or possibly as early as 1832.[2]

1896. Construction of the dairy of Arare-Dessous.[2]

1900. Opening of the hamlet's school, closed in 2015.[2]

1957. The fortified house is listed as a historic monument.[2][4]

Historic sites in Arare

Fortified house of Arare. Residence of the 15th and 16th centuries on the chemin de Plein-Vent, listed in 1957 and a cultural property of national significance (PCP inventory). Rectangular main building with a round entrance tower housing the spiral staircase in the middle of the facade.[1][2][4][5]

Fountain and dairy of Arare-Dessous. Heart of the hamlet: fountain of 1836 and dairy of 1896, now a meeting place for residents.[2]

Former school. School opened in 1900 and closed in 2015.[2]

Sources

  1. Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Plan-les-Ouates » (Jacques Barrelet), version du 25.01.2011
  2. Commune de Plan-les-Ouates, carte « Découverte de Plan-les-Ouates », patrimoine historique
  3. Ma Laiterie d'Arare, « Histoire » (à recouper)
  4. État de Genève, Office du patrimoine et des sites, recensement architectural, « Maison forte d'Arare », objet 2011-26333 (fiche générée le 24.09.2018 ; classement du 5 mars 1957)
  5. Office fédéral de la protection de la population, Inventaire PBC, liste cantonale GE (état au 1.1.2026) : n° 2609, Maison forte d'Arare, objet A
  6. Office cantonal de la statistique (OCSTAT), Mémento statistique du canton de Genève 2026, tableau Population résidante par commune, en 2025
  7. geo.admin.ch, service de recherche de swisstopo (Arare, Plan-les-Ouates, coordonnées approchées)

Other villages near Arare

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