Bursins
Origin of the name Bursins
The name is recorded in 1011 in the form «Bruzinges», in a deed restoring the church of Saint-Martin, then «Brucins» before 1031, «Brusins» in 1248 and «Brussins» from 1271 to 1412. It is said to derive from a Latin personal name, Bruccius or Bruttius, followed by a suffix denoting a rural estate (to be cross-checked).
Founding of Bursins
None of the sources consulted names a founder. The site has been occupied since Roman times: excavations carried out around 1980 beneath the church uncovered a thick layer of burnt Roman material and remains of dwellings from the 4th-5th and 7th-8th centuries. The village then developed around the church of Saint-Martin, rebuilt in the 11th century on the model of Cluny, and around the priory attached to the monastery of Romainmôtier. In the 11th century, Romainmôtier and the lords of Prangins and of Mont-le-Vieux owned property at Bursins; in the Middle Ages Bursins belongs to the lordship of Prangins. The municipality also includes the hamlets of Le Molard and, in part, Le Vernay.
History of Bursins
4th-5th centuries. Dwelling on the site of the present church, after a Roman occupation attested by a thick layer of burnt material; further phases of occupation in the 7th-8th centuries.
Early Middle Ages. Some thirty graves are dug on the line of the present route de l'Etraz.
1011. First mention, «Bruzinges», in a deed by which King Rudolph III of Burgundy hands over the parish church of Saint-Martin to the priory of Romainmôtier.
before 1031. Mention in the form «Brucins».
11th century. The church is rebuilt on the model of Cluny; Romainmôtier, the lords of Prangins and those of Mont-le-Vieux own property at Bursins.
before 1205. The church becomes a parish church.
1238. A priory is recorded north-east of the church.
1284. A massive wall reinforces the monks' house.
1326-1329. The priory is fully integrated into the estates of Romainmôtier.
1371-1379. Three towers are added to the fortified priory.
14th century. The fortified house of the Rosay estate appears.
1434. Bursins becomes a castellany including the hamlet of Le Vernay.
1463. A tile works is recorded at Praz des Sauges; it operates until 1878.
15th century. The church is enlarged with chapels and a polygonal apse.
1518. A chapel is built at the church of Saint-Martin, which is altered between the 14th and 16th centuries and separated from the priory buildings.
1527. Bursins receives the alpine pasture of La Bursine, near Le Brassus, from the abbey of Lac de Joux.
1536-1798. Under Bernese rule Bursins belongs to the bailiwick of Romainmôtier; the municipality is run by a council of twelve members.
1607. A town hall is set up.
1622. The parsonage is installed above the cellars of the former priory.
1670. The Auberge de l'Ours receives its present façade.
1798. Bursins is attached to the district of Rolle.
1830. Le Vernay, gradually abandoned, ceases to be a municipality; its property is divided between Bursins and neighbouring municipalities.
1881. Construction of a new school building; public lighting in 1886, telephone in 1899.
early 20th century. The draining of the marshes helps agriculture to progress.
1951-1956. Land consolidation of the vineyard slopes.
1969. A small residential zone is created.
2008. Bursins becomes part of the new district of Nyon, created by the territorial reorganisation of 2006.
2022. Bursins joins the association «Les plus beaux villages de Suisse».
Population of Bursins
| 1764 | 264 |
| 1803 | 291 |
| 1850 | 340 |
| 1880 | 426 |
| 1900 | 424 |
| 1920 | 421 |
| 1930 | 331 |
| 1950 | 333 |
| 1970 | 264 |
| 1990 | 461 |
| 2000 | 522 |
| 2011 | 723 |
| 2025 | 831 |
Historic sites in Bursins
Church of Saint-Martin. Reformed church dating back to the 11th century, rebuilt on the Cluniac model, with a rectangular choir, a polygonal apse and 15th-century chapels, one of them dating from 1518; the bell tower was raised in the 18th century and a neo-Romanesque porch added in 1901. Together with the former priory, it is a cultural property of national importance.
Le Château (former priory). Fortified house corresponding to the former priory of Romainmôtier, whose main block dates from the 13th century. Reinforced by a massive wall in 1284 and by three towers in 1371-1379, it has housed the parsonage above its former cellars since 1622.
Rosay estate. Fortified house that appeared in the 14th century, remodelled in the 16th century after a fire set by Bernese troops and given round towers; renovated in 2003.
Auberge de l'Ours. Old village inn, which received its present façade in 1670; its history is said to go back to 1486 (to be cross-checked).
Maison Melly. 15th-century house, given a semicircular stair tower at the end of the 16th century and converted into a manor house in 1731.
Remains in Bursins
Roman and early medieval remains beneath the church. Excavations carried out around 1980 revealed beneath the church a thick layer of burnt Roman material and remains of dwellings from the 4th-5th and 7th-8th centuries.
Graves of the route de l'Etraz. Some thirty early medieval graves were discovered beneath the route de l'Etraz.
Sources
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Bursins »
- Inventaire fédéral ISOS, « Bursins » (2012)
- Wikipédia, « Bursins »
- Statistique Vaud, « Population résidante permanente au 31 décembre 2025 »
- Wikipédia, « Districts du canton de Vaud »
- swisstopo, map.geo.admin.ch (coordonnées)
Other villages near Bursins
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