Cuarnens

Origin of the name Cuarnens

First written mention in 1001 as «Quarningis». The origin of the name is not explained by the sources consulted. The inhabitants are called Cuarnenais; they are nicknamed «les Racines» («lè Racena» in Vaud patois) and «les Cornichons» (to be cross-checked).

Founding of Cuarnens

The area was settled in Roman times: two villae are known, one of which, excavated, was built in the second quarter of the 1st century and abandoned around the middle of the 3rd century; traces of centuriation and nearby ironworking sites bear witness to this development. Burgundian graves have been found at Vuichime. None of the sources consulted says who founded the village; it is mentioned in 1001 together with its church of Saint-Didier. Its development is closely tied to the Venoge, along which mills, sawmills and forges were established.

History of Cuarnens

1st century. Construction, in the second quarter of the century, of a Roman villa with a bath complex.

3rd century. The villa is abandoned around the middle of the century.

Early Middle Ages. Burgundian graves at Vuichime.

1001. First mention as «Quarningis»; the church of Saint-Didier already exists.

1141. A manorial (banal) mill is mentioned.

Middle Ages. The abbey of the Lac de Joux holds rights and land at Cuarnens.

1228. The church of Saint-Didier is a parish church.

1378. Jaquet de Cuarnens sells dues and a forest.

1416. Cuarnens and Mont-la-Ville together have 96 hearths.

1583. The land of Cuarnens is detached from the barony of La Sarraz.

1602. Pierre de Gingins receives the lordship.

1637. Date of the facade of the Château de la Grange.

1678. The lordship passes to the Chandieu family.

1692. A canal is dug, now disused.

after 1707. The lordship passes to the Mestral d'Arrufens family.

1733-1737. A new church (temple) is built.

1764. The village has 374 inhabitants.

1798. Cuarnens becomes part of the district of Cossonay.

1928. The Château de la Grange is demolished; only its facade of 1637 is preserved.

1968. A fish farm is set up in the disused canal of 1692.

2006-2008. The law on territorial organisation, in force from 1 September 2006, abolishes the district of Cossonay; the municipality becomes part of the district of Morges, effective 1 January 2008.

Population of Cuarnens

Population of Cuarnens

1416	96 hearths (households), with Mont-la-Ville
1764	374
1850	414
1900	481
1950	358
1970	275
2000	395
2025	557

Historic sites in Cuarnens

Church (temple) of Cuarnens. Built in 1733-1737, it succeeded the church of Saint-Didier, recorded in 1001 and a parish church in 1228.

Château de la Grange. Fortified house north-west of the village, whose origins are placed in the 12th century; demolished in 1928, only its facade of 1637 with the entrance door survives.

The Venoge and its crafts. The river flows through the village and powered mills, sawmills and forges; a manorial mill is recorded from 1141 and a fish farm has occupied an old canal of 1692 since 1968.

Village listed in the ISOS. The whole village of Cuarnens is listed in the Federal Inventory of Swiss Heritage Sites of national importance (ISOS) (to be cross-checked).

Remains in Cuarnens

Roman villa. One of the two villae known in the area has been excavated: built in the second quarter of the 1st century and abandoned around the middle of the 3rd century, it included a bath complex. A Roman funerary inscription was discovered in the early 18th century and traces of centuriation have been identified.

Burgundian graves of Vuichime. Early medieval burials uncovered at Vuichime.

Facade of the Château de la Grange. The only remnant of the château demolished in 1928, the facade of 1637.

Sources

• Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Cuarnens »
• Wikipédia, « Cuarnens »
• Wikipedia (EN), « Cuarnens »
• Statistique Vaud, « Population résidante permanente au 31 décembre 2025 »
• Wikipédia, « Districts du canton de Vaud »

Other villages near Cuarnens

• Mont-la-Ville (VD)
• Moiry (VD)
• La Coudre (VD)
• L'Isle (VD)
• La Chaux (Cossonay) (VD)