Bettens

Origin of the name Bettens

The village is mentioned in 1141 as «Betanis», then in 1149 as «Bectens». A local explanation derives the name from two German words meaning «house of prayer» (to be cross-checked).

Founding of Bettens

Burgundian slab graves containing objects attest to settlement in the early Middle Ages. In the 12th century the hospice of the Great St Bernard owned a small rural priory at Bettens. In the Middle Ages the village belonged to a noble family of the same name, including Richard de Bettens around 1100 (to be cross-checked); it depended on the lordship of Cossonay. The sources consulted do not say who founded the village.

History of Bettens

early Middle Ages. Burgundian slab graves with grave goods.

around 1100. Richard de Bettens, a member of the local noble family, holds substantial property here (to be cross-checked).

1141. First mention: «Betanis». Vine growing is attested from this date.

1145/1159. The hospice of the Great St Bernard owns a rural priory at Bettens.

1149. Mentioned as «Bectens».

Middle Ages. Bettens, fief of the noble family of the same name, depends on the lordship of Cossonay.

Reformation. At the Reformation the priory's property is secularised. Under Bernese rule Bettens belongs to the bailiwick of Moudon and the castellany of Daillens.

16th century. A chapel is attested on the site of the present church.

around 1700. The vines are pulled up.

1725. Construction of the present Protestant church.

1751. On the death of Georges Mannlich, lieutenant general in French service, whose Bernese family had built the castle, Bettens passes to the Saussure and then the Mercier families.

1765. Construction of the church's porch tower.

1798. Bettens is attached to the district of Échallens, then to that of Cossonay from 1803.

1899. Death of Constant Fornerod, former Federal Councillor, buried in the Bettens cemetery.

1923. The municipality adopts the coat of arms of the former noble family of Bettens.

2008. Under the new Vaud territorial division, Bettens becomes part of the Gros-de-Vaud district.

Population of Bettens

Population of Bettens

1764	152
1850	240
1860	272
1900	240
1950	176
1960	167
2000	330
2025	652

Historic sites in Bettens

Bettens Castle. Built by the Bernese Mannlich family, it is still privately owned. It is dated to the 18th century (early in the century according to some sources, 1798 according to another; to be cross-checked) and is listed as a cultural property of regional importance.

Church. Protestant church of 1725 built on the site of a medieval chapel attested in the 16th century, with a porch tower of 1765.

«Le Paradis» cemetery. The cemetery, at the place called «Le Paradis», holds the tomb of Charles Emile Constant Fornerod (1819-1899), former Federal Councillor, set into the wall.

Remains in Bettens

Burgundian graves. Burgundian slab graves containing objects have been found in the municipality.

Legends of Bettens

The Grands-Pantets. The inhabitants are nicknamed Grands-Pantets and Rufiants («lè Rupian», «lè Ruffian»). According to tradition, the first nickname comes from their having worn long-tailed coats much longer than the inhabitants of other municipalities.

Sources

• Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Bettens »
• Feuille des avis officiels du canton de Vaud, « Alphabet des communes vaudoises : Bettens »
• Wikipédia, « Bettens »
• Wikipedia (de), « Bettens »
• Wikipedia (en), « Bettens »
• Wikipédia, « Districts du canton de Vaud »
• Statistique Vaud, « Population résidante permanente au 31 décembre 2025 »

Other villages near Bettens

• Oulens-sous-Echallens (VD)
• Saint-Barthélemy (VD)
• Bretigny (VD)
• Bioley-Orjulaz (VD)
• Éclagnens (VD)