Chavannes-le-Veyron
Origin of the name Chavannes-le-Veyron
First written mention in 1285. The old form of the name and its etymology are not given by the sources consulted; the addition «le-Veyron» refers to the river flowing at the foot of the village.
Founding of Chavannes-le-Veyron
The area was frequented long before the Middle Ages: a Hallstatt-period burial mound (early Iron Age) lies at the place called la Motte. In the Middle Ages the abbey of the Lac de Joux owned land and rights at Chavannes, while the lords of Cossonay levied a hearth tax there. None of the sources consulted says who founded the village or when. The village formed a small lordship until 1798.
History of Chavannes-le-Veyron
early Iron Age. A Hallstatt-period burial mound is raised at the place called la Motte.
Middle Ages. The abbey of the Lac de Joux owns land and rights at Chavannes; the lords of Cossonay levy a hearth tax there.
Middle Ages. The medieval leper house of Cossonay stands on the bank of the Veyron; it is abandoned from the 17th century.
1285. First written mention of the village.
Bernese period. Under Bernese rule, Chavannes belongs to the bailiwick of Morges and is run by the assembly of commune citizens; the village forms a small lordship until 1798.
1636. Construction of the village's first place of worship, attached to the parish of Cuarnens. A fast day specific to the village has been observed every 21 June since that year (to be cross-checked).
1798. Chavannes-le-Veyron becomes part of the district of Cossonay.
1844. The dilapidated place of worship is rebuilt.
1846. The land register records a water-powered installation (sawmill, forge and press) on the bank of the Veyron.
1898. Construction of the school.
1960s. The water-powered installation on the Veyron is still in operation.
1981. Renovation of the 1898 school.
2008. With the new territorial division of Vaud, the commune moves from the abolished district of Cossonay to the district of Morges.
Population of Chavannes-le-Veyron
| 1764 | 74 |
| 1798 | 91 |
| 1850 | 136 |
| 1900 | 162 |
| 1950 | 103 |
| 1970 | 86 |
| 2000 | 125 |
| 2025 | 160 |
Historic sites in Chavannes-le-Veyron
Chavannes-le-Veyron church (temple). The first place of worship, attached to the parish of Cuarnens, dates from 1636; having fallen into disrepair, it was rebuilt in 1844.
Chavannes-le-Veyron sawmill. Water-powered installation on the bank of the Veyron (sawmill, forge and press) recorded in the 1846 land register and still in operation in the 1960s. The sawmill is listed as a Swiss cultural property of national importance.
School. School building of 1898, renovated in 1981.
Remains in Chavannes-le-Veyron
La Motte burial mound. Hallstatt-period (early Iron Age) burial mound at the place called la Motte.
Cossonay leper house. The medieval leper house of Cossonay stood on the bank of the Veyron, on the territory of Chavannes; it was abandoned from the 17th century. The sources consulted describe no visible remains.
Sources
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Chavannes-le-Veyron »
- Wikipédia, « Chavannes-le-Veyron »
- Wikipédia, « Districts du canton de Vaud »
- Statistique Vaud, « Population résidante permanente au 31 décembre 2025 »
Other villages near Chavannes-le-Veyron
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