Châtelaine
Origin of the name Châtelaine
The origin of the name Châtelaine has not yet been explained, and its first written mention is not known.
Founding of Châtelaine
Nobody knows when the hamlet first appeared. Châtelaine lay on the border and belonged to the parish of Saint-Gervais. In 1580, when Bern returned the Pays de Gex to the Duke of Savoy, the hamlet was split in two between Le Petit-Saconnex and Vernier. The division still stands: the Le Petit-Saconnex part has belonged to the municipality of Genève since 1931, the other is a district of Vernier.[1]
History of Châtelaine
1580. When Bern returns the Pays de Gex to the Duke of Savoy, Châtelaine is divided between Le Petit-Saconnex and Vernier.[1]
1589. The Genevans are defeated there by a ducal army.[1]
1761. A first wooden theatre hall is built on French territory, on the site of the former gendarmerie post. Theatre was then banned in Genève, and Voltaire had several plays performed there. The building was destroyed shortly after Voltaire's death.[1]
around 1780. Joseph Galier de Saint-Gérand has a new theatre built.[1]
1798. The new theatre ceases to be used.[1]
1868. The former theatre is converted into a flat.[1]
1887. Châtelaine becomes home to the cantonal horticulture school.[1]
1931. Le Petit-Saconnex is merged into the municipality of Genève. The part of Châtelaine that belonged to it becomes a district of the municipality of Genève.[1]
1973. The cantonal horticulture school leaves Châtelaine for Lullier.[1]
1974. The former Saint-Gérand theatre is demolished.[1]
Historic sites in Châtelaine
Châtelaine theatres. First wooden hall built in 1761 on French territory, where Voltaire had several plays performed, then a theatre built around 1780 by Joseph Galier de Saint-Gérand, used until 1798, converted into a flat in 1868 and demolished in 1974.[1]
Cantonal horticulture school. Located in Châtelaine from 1887 to 1973, then moved to Lullier.[1]
Sources
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Châtelaine » (Jean-Marc Membrez), version du 12.11.2003
- geo.admin.ch (swisstopo), recherche de lieux « Châtelaine »
Other villages near Châtelaine
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