Chavannes-le-Chêne
Origin of the name Chavannes-le-Chêne
First mentioned in 1334 as «Chavanes»; another source gives «Capanas» as an old form (to be cross-checked). The name comes from the Latin «capanna», «hut, small dwelling». The addition «le-Chêne» was added late to distinguish the village from others of the same name; it is said to recall vanished oak forests (to be cross-checked) and refers to the lordship of Saint-Martin-du-Chêne.
Founding of Chavannes-le-Chêne
The area was settled very early: the nearby Vallon des Vaux has yielded Neolithic and early medieval (5th-9th century) settlements. None of the sources consulted names a founder of the village or dates its creation. Chavannes-le-Chêne belonged to the lordship of Saint-Martin-du-Chêne, of which it became the administrative centre from the 16th century; from 1335, prud'hommes exercised judicial and administrative functions there. At the end of the 16th century the de Hennezel family, originally from Lorraine, acquired part of the lordship and kept it until the 18th century (to be cross-checked). After the Bernese conquest the village was attached to the bailiwick of Yverdon. The municipality comprises the village and the hamlet of La Ruchille. The inhabitants, the Tsavannais, are nicknamed «the Spiders» («les Z'aragnes»).
History of Chavannes-le-Chêne
Neolithic. Prehistoric settlements in the Vallon des Vaux, including a rock shelter (to be cross-checked).
5th-9th century. Early medieval settlement in the Vallon des Vaux.
1320. Mention of the chapel of Sainte-Marie-Madeleine, a daughter church of the parish of Saint-Martin-du-Chêne; one source states that it burned that year and was rebuilt slightly larger (to be cross-checked).
1334. First mention of the village, «Chavanes».
1335. Prud'hommes exercise judicial and administrative functions in the community.
1536. After the Bernese conquest of the Pays de Vaud, the village is attached to the bailiwick of Yverdon.
16th century. Chavannes-le-Chêne becomes the administrative centre of the lordship of Saint-Martin-du-Chêne.
late 16th century. The de Hennezel family from Lorraine acquires part of the lordship and keeps it until the 18th century (to be cross-checked).
1550. The village has 28 hearths.
1667. The parish of Saint-Martin-du-Chêne takes the name of parish of Le Pâquier.
around 1733. The stone bridge of Covet is built to replace a wooden bridge (to be cross-checked).
18th century. A tannery is in operation.
1798. Chavannes-le-Chêne is part of the district of Yverdon.
1881. Restoration of the chapel of Sainte-Marie-Madeleine.
1919. Adoption of the coat of arms «vert, three acorns argent», taken from the arms of the Hennezel family (to be cross-checked).
1934. The schoolhouse is built.
1943-1944. Land consolidation; Burgundian graves with remains of skeletons and weapons are uncovered on this occasion (to be cross-checked).
1950. Further restoration of the chapel of Sainte-Marie-Madeleine.
1958. Restoration of the former manor house; a molasse block bearing the arms of the last lords is discovered (to be cross-checked).
1984. A community hall is fitted out in the former threshing mill (to be cross-checked).
2008. The new Vaud districts come into force: Chavannes-le-Chêne becomes part of the Jura-Nord vaudois district.
Population of Chavannes-le-Chêne
| 1550 | 28 hearths (households) |
| 1764 | 192 |
| 1850 | 331 |
| 1900 | 384 |
| 1950 | 261 |
| 1970 | 201 |
| 2000 | 233 |
| 2025 | 329 |
Historic sites in Chavannes-le-Chêne
Chapel of Sainte-Marie-Madeleine. Chapel mentioned in 1320, a daughter church of the parish of Saint-Martin-du-Chêne (called the parish of Le Pâquier from 1667), restored in 1881 and 1950 and listed as a historic monument.
Former manor house. Small castle of the lords of Saint-Martin-du-Chêne, used in the 19th century as a seigneurial and then communal inn, restored in 1958; it now houses the municipal administration (to be cross-checked).
Pont du Covet. Stone bridge built around 1733 to replace a wooden bridge, restored between 1970 and 1978 (to be cross-checked).
Vallon des Vaux. Archaeological site listed as cultural property of national significance, inhabited in the Neolithic and the early Middle Ages; finds and a model are displayed at the Cantonal Museum of Archaeology and History in Lausanne.
Remains in Chavannes-le-Chêne
Settlements of the Vallon des Vaux. Remains of Neolithic and early medieval (5th-9th century) settlements, including a rock shelter (to be cross-checked).
Quarries. The village once worked shelly limestone quarries; a Roman-era millstone quarry can be visited (to be cross-checked).
Burgundian necropolis. Small cemetery with Burgundian skeletal remains and weapons, discovered during the land consolidation of the 1940s (to be cross-checked).
Sources
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Chavannes-le-Chêne » (version allemande)
- Wikipédia, « Chavannes-le-Chêne »
- Wikipedia (en), « Chavannes-le-Chêne »
- Feuille des avis officiels du canton de Vaud, « Alphabet des communes vaudoises : Chavannes-le-Chêne »
- Wikipédia, « Districts du canton de Vaud »
- Statistique Vaud, « Population résidante permanente au 31 décembre 2025 »
Other villages near Chavannes-le-Chêne
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