Coinsins

Origin of the name Coinsins

The name appears in 1212 as «Quinsins», then as «Cuynsins» in 1296. In the 13th century the form «Quincins» is also found; «Cuinssins» remains in use until the early 18th century, followed by «Coinssins» or «Coinssin», and then «Coinsins» from the 18th century onwards. None of the sources consulted explains its etymology. The inhabitants, the Coinsinois, are nicknamed the Gremillettes («lè Gremelyetta» in Vaud patois), meaning the little lizards.

Founding of Coinsins

None of the sources consulted says who founded the village. The site was occupied long before the first written records: Bronze Age hearths, Roman remains and early medieval burials have been found here. In the Middle Ages the territory, attested in 1212, was shared among several authorities: the co-lordship of Aubonne, the Bishop of Geneva, the lords of Prangins and the monasteries of Bonmont and Oujon. A local noble family, attested from 1212, were vassals of the co-lords of Aubonne.

History of Coinsins

Bronze Age. Hearths with Late Bronze Age pottery are established near today's road to Trélex.

Roman period. The territory is occupied; Roman remains have been discovered here.

Early Middle Ages. Burials, including Burgundian graves on the Martheray hill, bear witness to the occupation of the site.

1212. First mention («Quinsins»); a local noble family are vassals of the co-lords of Aubonne.

1219. The Mimorey farm belongs to the Oujon charterhouse.

1296. The name appears as «Cuynsins».

Middle Ages. The village has a church of Saint-Pierre, whose patronage is held by the Bishop of Geneva.

1536. Bernese conquest: Coinsins becomes part of the Bernese bailiwick of Nyon.

around 1550. After the Reformation the church falls into ruin; Coinsins is attached to the parish of Nyon, then in the 17th century to that of Vich.

1701. Jean Louis de Portes raises a Protestant regiment in Sardinian service; he later returns to Coinsins with the rank of general.

around 1715. Construction of the castle for Louis de Portes, who died in 1739 (date to be cross-checked; another source gives 1725).

1756. The court of justice of Coinsins is merged with that of Genolier.

1798. Coinsins becomes part of the district of Nyon; it belongs to the Canton of Léman until 1803, then to the Canton of Vaud.

1862. The Auberge de la Réunion opens.

1906. The Gland-Begnins tramway allows the village's farmers and winegrowers to export their produce.

2025. The municipality has 510 inhabitants.

Population of Coinsins

Population of Coinsins

1764	131
1850	157
1900	188
1950	156
1960	125
2000	368
2025	510

Historic sites in Coinsins

Coinsins Castle. The village's main monument, built in the 18th century for Louis de Portes (died 1739), an officer who in 1701 had raised a Protestant regiment in Sardinian service. Its residents included Paul Moultou, executor of Jean-Jacques Rousseau's will, and Armand François Louis de Mestral, diplomat and last lord. The castle's archives (1400-2000) are kept at the Archives cantonales vaudoises.

Mimorey farm. Estate owned from 1219 by the Oujon charterhouse, today the Domaine de Mimorey.

Winegrowers' houses. Several winegrowers' houses from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries survive in the village.

Auberge de la Réunion. Inn in business since 1862.

Bois de Chêne. An exceptional natural site, managed by a foundation.

Remains in Coinsins

Prehistoric and ancient traces. Bronze Age hearths (with Late Bronze Age pottery, near the road to Trélex), Roman remains and early medieval burials, including Burgundian graves on the Martheray hill, have been uncovered. Traces of an old glassworks and a mammoth tusk were found in the Les Tattes area.

Sources

• Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Coinsins »
• Commune de Coinsins, « Historique »
• Wikipédia, « Coinsins »
• Wikipedia (allemand), « Coinsins »
• Statistique Vaud, « Population résidante permanente au 31 décembre 2025 »

Other villages near Coinsins

• Vich (VD)
• Clarens (Vich) (VD)
• Duillier (VD)
• Begnins (VD)
• Genolier (VD)