Bonvillars

Canton of Vaud · District: Jura-Nord vaudois · 517 inhabitants (31.12.2025, municipality)

Origin of the name Founding Historical timeline Population over time Must-see historical sites Remains Legends Sources and references Nearby villages

Origin of the name Bonvillars

First mentioned around 1100 in the form «Binvilar», then «Bonus vilar» in 1124 and «Binvillare» in 1148 (forms to be cross-checked). The name is said to come from the Latin «bonus» (good) and «villare» (hamlet, estate) (to be cross-checked).

Founding of Bonvillars

The area was inhabited long before the medieval village: a Neolithic menhir, the remains of a Roman villa and Burgundian graves have been found here. None of the sources consulted names a founder of the village. Around 1100 a knight, Hugues de Bonvillars, appears, whose noble family took its name from the place; in the Middle Ages the lordship of Bonvillars is an enclave within that of Grandson, and the nobles of Bonvillars are said to have enjoyed wide autonomy there from the 12th century (to be cross-checked). The municipality, which also includes the hamlets of La Coudre and Les Vullierens, is run by the general assembly of the burghers. Viticulture is old here: as early as 1365 an inhabitant owes a due paid in wine.

History of Bonvillars

Neolithic. The menhir, which now stands in the municipal vineyard, is erected.

Roman period. A Roman villa occupies the territory.

Early Middle Ages. Graves from the Burgundian period attest continuous occupation.

around 1100. First mention, in the form «Binvilar»; a knight Hugues de Bonvillars appears.

1148. The church is listed among the possessions of the monastery of Payerne.

1285-1287. Jean de Bonvillars, a Savoyard knight in the service of King Edward I of England, is the first constable of Harlech Castle in Wales (to be cross-checked).

1294. The right of patronage over the church of Saint-Nicolas, previously held by the priory of Baulmes, passes to the priory of Payerne.

1365. The archives mention «Mermetus Mennier de Bonvillars», liable for a due paid in wine.

1416. The village has 36 hearths.

15th century. Construction of the manor house of La Cour, extensively altered in the 17th century; a side chapel is added to the church.

1476. After the Burgundian Wars, Bonvillars becomes a métralie of the bailiwick of Grandson, shared by Bern and Fribourg.

1532. The Reformation is introduced; the parish then forms part of that of Onnens.

1606. Founding of the Abbaye des vignerons.

1798-1803. Under the Helvetic Republic Bonvillars belongs to the canton of Léman, then to the canton of Vaud from 1803; from 1798 it is part of the district of Grandson.

1846. The parish of Bonvillars is annexed to that of Champagne.

1861. The municipality acquires La Cour, which now houses the school.

1926. The municipality adopts its coat of arms, based on an attribution in an armorial of 1698.

1943. Founding of the Cave des viticulteurs de Bonvillars (date to be cross-checked, 1948 according to another source).

1960. The population reaches its lowest level, with 270 inhabitants.

1966. The Fabriques de tabac réunies (Philip Morris) buy the entire industrial zone.

1973. Construction of large warehouses by the Fabriques de tabac réunies.

1990. The Fabriques de tabac réunies install a cigarette production line there.

2006-2008. Reform of the Vaud districts: the district of Grandson is dissolved and Bonvillars joins the district of Jura-Nord vaudois.

Population of Bonvillars

36 hearths (households)

1416

470

1850

515

1900

353

1950

270

1960

251

1982

344

2000

489

2020

517

2025

Historic sites in Bonvillars

Church of Saint-Nicolas. Mentioned in 1148 among the possessions of the monastery of Payerne, the single-nave church has a choir with a pointed barrel vault, a 15th-century side chapel and a pointed stone bell tower. The right of patronage, held by the priory of Baulmes, passed to that of Payerne in 1294. Reformed in 1532, the parish formed part of that of Onnens and was then annexed to that of Champagne in 1846.

La Cour. Manor house of the local nobles, dating back to the 15th century and extensively altered in the 17th century, acquired by the municipality in 1861; it now houses classrooms and a gymnasium.

Village of Bonvillars. The entire village is listed in the Federal Inventory of Swiss Heritage Sites of national importance (ISOS).

Bonvillars vineyard. With some 36.6 hectares of vines, the village has given its name to one of the Vaud wine appellations; the Abbaye des vignerons was founded here in 1606.

Remains in Bonvillars

Bonvillars menhir. A gneiss monolith about 3 metres high, erected in the Neolithic in a vineyard south of La Cour; it is presented as the tallest menhir in Switzerland (to be cross-checked).

Roman villa and Burgundian graves. Remains of a Roman villa and graves from the Burgundian period have been found in the municipality.

Legends of Bonvillars

The night of Charles the Bold. According to a tradition handed down from generation to generation, Duke Charles the Bold of Burgundy is said to have slept in a room on the third floor of La Cour before the Battle of Grandson in 1476. It is a legend that nothing confirms.

Sources

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