Chavannes-des-Bois
Origin of the name Chavannes-des-Bois
The place is mentioned in 1316 in the form « Les Chavannes de Sovernyer », then in 1355 in the Latin form « Cabane nemorum » (the huts of the woods). The precise etymology of the name is not detailed in the sources consulted.
Founding of Chavannes-des-Bois
Neither a founder nor a founding act is known. In the Middle Ages Chavannes-des-Bois belonged to the lordship of Coppet; Bonmont Abbey collected tithes and land dues there, and the lords of Grilly, in the Pays de Gex, also held some rights there. Governed by the assembly of the community, the village remained a very modest farming municipality until the 1970s.
History of Chavannes-des-Bois
1316. First known mention, in the form « Les Chavannes de Sovernyer ».
Middle Ages. The village belongs to the lordship of Coppet; the lords of Grilly (Pays de Gex) hold some rights there.
1355. Bonmont Abbey receives tithes and land dues from Chavannes; the place is named « Cabane nemorum ».
1536-1798. Chavannes-des-Bois is part of the Bernese bailiwick of Nyon (barony of Coppet) and is governed by the assembly of the community.
1798. The municipality is attached to the district of Nyon.
1920. The municipality has only 44 inhabitants.
from 1970. Strong population growth linked to the opening of the Geneva-Lausanne motorway and the urbanisation of La Côte between Geneva and Nyon.
2000. The municipality has 450 inhabitants.
2006-2013. The population of the municipality doubles (to be cross-checked).
2025. The municipality has 983 inhabitants on 31 December.
Population of Chavannes-des-Bois
| 1764 | 65 |
| 1850 | 58 |
| 1900 | 68 |
| 1920 | 44 |
| 1950 | 55 |
| 1960 | 44 |
| 1980 | 224 |
| 2000 | 450 |
| 2025 | 983 |
Historic sites in Chavannes-des-Bois
Dome of the Geneva Observatory. The dome of the Geneva Observatory stands in the municipality of Chavannes-des-Bois, while its offices are in Sauverny, on Geneva territory.
Pont de Grilly (Pont Bugnon). Old stone bridge over the Versoix, the natural border with France (municipality of Grilly). It is said to have had some importance in the life of Madame de Staël (to be cross-checked).
Sources
- Dizionario storico della Svizzera, « Chavannes-des-Bois »
- Wikipédia, « Chavannes-des-Bois »
- Statistique Vaud, « Population résidante permanente au 31 décembre 2025 »
Other villages near Chavannes-des-Bois
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