Crans
Origin of the name Crans
The village is mentioned in 1008 in the form « Cranos ». The etymology of this name is not explained in the sources consulted. In 1935 the municipality took the name « Crans-près-Céligny » to distinguish itself from Crans in Valais, mainly for postal reasons. In 2019 a motion « Vive Crans ! Réhabilitation du nom original » was tabled, and on 2 December 2019 the municipal council unanimously agreed to return to the name « Crans »; the Council of State proposed the legal amendment in February 2020, and the official name today is « Crans ».
Founding of Crans
The area was occupied very early: a Bronze Age pin, Roman remains and Burgundian graves have been found there. The village appears in the records in 1008, in connection with an exchange of land. No source names a specific founder: the community, populated by serfs, belonged after 1036 to the chapter of Lausanne, which had it administered after 1234 by its castellan of Saint-Prex. Before 1400 the inhabitants already owned a pasture near La Dôle.
History of Crans
Bronze Age. A pin from this period attests to human presence.
Roman period. Roman remains on the municipal territory.
Early Middle Ages. Burgundian graves.
1008. Crans (« Cranos ») is mentioned in an exchange of land.
after 1036. The village belongs to the chapter of Lausanne.
after 1234. Crans is administered by the castellan of Saint-Prex on behalf of the chapter.
before 1400. The community, although populated by serfs, owns a pasture near La Dôle.
before 1500. A small church is built.
1536-1798. After the Reformation, Crans belongs to the Bernese bailiwick of Nyon; the municipality is governed by the assembly of burghers.
1542. Bern creates a lordship of Crans (with high jurisdiction in 1663).
1553. The church, first served by the pastor of Céligny, becomes an annex of the parish of Nyon.
1584. The church becomes an annex of Crassier.
1763. The lordship passes from the Quisard family to the Saladin family.
1764-1769. The Saladin family has a French-style château built.
1798. Crans becomes part of the district of Nyon.
1858. The Lausanne-Geneva railway line opens.
1888. A railway halt opens at Crans.
1935. The municipality takes the name « Crans-près-Céligny » to distinguish itself from Crans in Valais.
1948. The church again becomes an annex of the parish of Nyon.
2019-2020. The municipal council (2 December 2019) and then the Council of State (February 2020) set in motion the return to the name « Crans ».
Population of Crans
| 1764 | 192 |
| 1850 | 286 |
| 1900 | 350 |
| 1950 | 364 |
| 2000 | 1'963 |
| 2025 | 2'483 |
Historic sites in Crans
Château de Crans. Built from 1764 to 1769 for the Saladin family, lords of Crans since 1763, on the site of a former 16th-century manor, the Château Quisard. Overlooking the vineyards, it is one of the most important 18th-century « entre cour et jardin » châteaux in western Switzerland, with a main wing and two side wings.
Church (temple) of Crans. Small church built before 1500; a mention around 1200 is also reported (to be cross-checked). After the Reformation it was attached in turn to Céligny, Nyon (1553), Crassier (1584) and Nyon again (1948). It was altered in 1889; its 1936 ceiling is decorated with panels painted by Jean van Berchem.
Remains in Crans
Prehistoric, Roman and Burgundian traces. A Bronze Age pin, Roman remains and Burgundian graves bear witness to occupation of the site long before the first written mention in 1008.
Legends of Crans
The « Crows » of Crans. The inhabitants are nicknamed « Corbeaux » (crows) or « Fouette-Corbeaux » (crow-whippers). According to a locally handed-down story, crows are said to have flown towards Crans to show who owned a walnut tree standing on the boundary with a neighbouring municipality.
Sources
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Crans-près-Céligny »
- Canton de Vaud, Exposé des motifs et projet de loi modifiant la loi sur le découpage territorial (changement de nom de Crans-près-Céligny), février 2020
- Grand Conseil vaudois, rapport de commission sur le changement de nom de Crans-près-Céligny, juin 2020
- Wikipédia, « Crans (Vaud) »
- Statistique Vaud, « Population résidante permanente au 31 décembre 2025 »
Other villages near Crans
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