Corsier
Origin of the name Corsier
Corsier appears in the 13th century, when the nobles of Compey ceded their rights to the Count of Geneva. The form « Corsiacum » dates from 1297. No explanation has yet been found for this name.[1]
Founding of Corsier
Nobody knows who founded the village, but the shore was inhabited in every period of prehistory, as the Corsier-Port lakeshore settlement shows. A Roman villa stood near the present church, which itself rests on Roman foundations. Corsier enters the written record in the 13th century, when the nobles of Compey ceded their rights to the Count of Geneva. In the following century the House of Savoy dominated the region, part of the bailiwick of Chablais. Joined to Anières after the Treaty of Turin, the village later split from it: low revenues and heavy expenses had sharpened tensions between the two communities.[1]
History of Corsier
Prehistory. Occupation of the Corsier-Port lakeshore settlement, the only site on the shores of Lake Geneva where all prehistoric periods are represented.[1]
Roman period. A Roman villa is built near the site of the present church.
13th century. First mention of Corsier, when the nobles of Compey cede their rights to the Count of Geneva. Probable construction of the rectangular choir of the church (13th or early 14th century).[1]
1297. Old form « Corsiacum ».[1]
1323. The parish is mentioned; it depends first on the Bishop of Geneva, then on the chapter.[1]
14th century. The region is dominated by the House of Savoy (bailiwick of Chablais).[1]
After 1428. The noble family of Corsier, which owned a fortified house, dies out.[1]
1536. Bernese occupation; Bern imposes Reformed worship.[1]
1564/1567. The region is returned to the Duke of Savoy. The Savoyard restoration brings back Catholicism.[1]
Late 16th century. The parish of Anières is joined to that of Corsier.[1]
1595-1601. Saint Francis de Sales is parish priest of Corsier.[1]
Second half of the 17th century. Probable construction of the present castle.[1]
French period. Corsier belongs to the department of Mont-Blanc, then to that of Léman.[1]
1816. Corsier and Anières, united with Genève by the Treaty of Turin, form a municipality of the new canton.[1]
1853-1876. Genevan troops hold manoeuvres at Corsier, where the canton's powder magazine is in operation.[1]
1858. The municipality of Anières-Corsier is divided. The same year the Corsier-Port lakeshore settlement is reported.[1]
1901. Opening of the Vésenaz-Hermance tram line, later replaced by a bus.[1]
1960. Start of steady population growth.[1]
1971. Construction of a large housing complex.[1]
1986. The municipality rejects a plan for a harbour in the bay and refuses any densification of housing to preserve its rural character.[1]
Population of Corsier
Sources and references: [1][2]
| 1850 | 607 (with Anières) |
| 1860 | 276 |
| 1900 | 355 |
| 1930 | 309 |
| 1950 | 363 |
| 1970 | 948 |
| 2000 | 1'682 |
| 2010 | 1'811 |
| 2025 | 2'278 |
Historic sites in Corsier
Church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste. Church built on Roman foundations, with a rectangular choir from the 13th or early 14th century, a semicircular apse and a porch tower. Restored in 1970 and 1983.[1]
Castle. Castle probably built in the second half of the 17th century, which housed a brewery in the 19th century. Renovated several times, most recently in 1972.[1]
Corsier-Port. Shore of the municipality where the lakeshore settlement on the Unesco World Heritage List lies.[1]
Remains in Corsier
Corsier-Port lakeshore settlement. Settlement reported as early as 1858, one of the 56 Swiss lakeshore settlements on the Unesco World Heritage List and the only site where all prehistoric periods of the shores of Lake Geneva are represented.[1]
Roman villa. Villa discovered near the present church, which itself stands on Roman foundations.[1]
Sources
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Corsier (GE) » (Fabia Christen)
- Office cantonal de la statistique (OCSTAT), Mémento statistique du canton de Genève 2026, tableau Population résidante par commune, en 2025
- Office fédéral de topographie swisstopo, service de recherche geo.admin.ch (coordonnées)
Localities of the municipality with a page
Other villages near Corsier
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