Buchillon

Origin of the name Buchillon

The main settlement in the Middle Ages is Chanivaz, mentioned in 1228 in the form « Chanliva ». Buchillon appears in 1339 in the form « Buschillion ». The name is said to come from the Franco-Provençal « boutselyon » (small splinter of wood, wood chip, little log), derived from the Germanic « būsca », and to designate a place producing logs (to be cross-checked).

Founding of Buchillon

The area has been occupied since prehistoric times (bronze dagger, spearheads, lakeside settlement of undetermined date). In Roman times a large villa with a peristyle and an inner courtyard stood at Chanivaz, and the main Roman road from Geneva to Lausanne passed through Chanivaz and then Buchillon. In the Middle Ages Chanivaz was the main settlement: a parish in 1228, it depended on the co-lords of Aubonne and had a toll on the Aubonne. None of the sources consulted says who founded the village of Buchillon or when.

History of Buchillon

prehistory. A bronze dagger, spearheads and a lakeside settlement of undetermined date bear witness to an early presence.

Roman period. Large villa with peristyle and inner courtyard at Chanivaz; the Roman road Geneva-Lausanne passes through Chanivaz and then Buchillon. Utensils and coins from Marcus Aurelius to Constantine were found between the villa and the lake.

1228. First mention of « Chanliva » (Chanivaz), then the seat of a parish.

1285. Chanivaz is no longer mentioned as a parish.

1339. First mention of Buchillon, in the form « Buschillion ».

1431. The bridge over the Aubonne is rebuilt further upstream (to be cross-checked).

15th century. Abolition of the Chanivaz toll on the Aubonne.

1536. Since the Reformation, Buchillon has belonged to the parish of Etoy.

1536-1798. Under Bernese rule, Buchillon belongs to the bailiwick of Morges and falls under the seigneurial court of Allaman.

1798-1803. Under the Helvetic Republic, Buchillon is attached to the district of Aubonne.

1803. Buchillon passes to the district of Morges.

1922. Adoption of the coat of arms: two gold oars in saltire on a red field, accompanied by a barrel.

1976. Construction of a new school building.

20th century. The municipality, inhabited until the 19th century by farmers, winegrowers and fishermen, becomes residential; the Chanivaz estate is placed under nature protection.

Population of Buchillon

Population of Buchillon

1764	105
1798	111
1850	176
1900	203
1950	235
2000	604
2025	682

Historic sites in Buchillon

Chanivaz estate. Estate in the Aubonne delta, formerly the main settlement and seat of a parish in the 13th century, with a toll on the Aubonne abolished in the 15th century. The site is now under nature protection.

Remains in Buchillon

Roman villa of Chanivaz. Large Roman villa with a peristyle and an inner courtyard. Utensils and coins from Marcus Aurelius to Constantine were found between the villa and the lake.

Prehistoric finds and lakeside settlement. A bronze dagger, spearheads and a lakeside settlement of undetermined date have been recorded in the municipality.

Sources

• Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Buchillon »
• Wikipédia, « Buchillon »
• Statistique Vaud, « Population résidante permanente au 31 décembre 2025 »

Localities of the municipality with a page

• Chanivaz

Other villages near Buchillon

• Allaman (VD)
• Chanivaz (VD)
• Etoy (VD)
• Aubonne (VD)
• Saint-Prex (VD)