Ecublens
Origin of the name Ecublens
Ecublens is mentioned in 1180 as « Escublens ». In German the village was formerly called « Scubilingen ». The meaning of the name is unclear.[1]
Founding of Ecublens
A street village on the left bank of the Broye, on the Vaud border, Ecublens also included the hamlets of Eschiens and Villangeaux. Gallo-Roman buildings have been identified north of the village. In the Middle Ages Ecublens belonged to the lordship of Rue, later a Savoyard castellany, and its inhabitants always belonged to the parish of Promasens. The village remained rural, growing tobacco and grain. Ecublens is now part of the municipality of Rue (merger of 2025).[1]
History of Ecublens
1180. Ecublens first appears, as « Escublens ».[1]
Middle Ages. The village belongs to the lordship of Rue, which becomes a Savoyard castellany.[1]
1536. Ecublens passes to Fribourg and joins the bailiwick of Rue.[1]
1798-1848. The municipality belongs to the district of Rue.[1]
1848. It moves to the district of the Glâne.[1]
1874. Ecublens is connected to the Palézieux-Lyss railway line, while remaining rural.[1]
1883. Ecublens, Eschiens and Villangeaux begin to be administered jointly.[1]
1939-2019. The chapel of the Exaltation of the Cross, built in 1939, is deconsecrated in 2019.[1]
1969. A decree of 6 February 1969 unites Eschiens and Villangeaux with the municipality of Ecublens.[1][3]
2023. On 12 November the voters of Ecublens accept the merger with Rue, Auboranges and Chapelle by 64.9 %.[2][4]
2025. Ecublens becomes part of the municipality of Rue, which sets up its administration in the village.[1][5]
Population of Ecublens
Sources and references: [1]
| 1850 | 139 |
| 1900 | 179 |
| 1950 | 184 |
| 1970 | 243 |
| 1980 | 203 |
| 2000 | 266 |
| 2010 | 280 |
| 2020 | 353 |
| 2024 | 393 |
Historic sites in Ecublens
Chapel of the Exaltation of the Cross. Built in 1939 and deconsecrated in 2019.[1]
Remains in Ecublens
La Tène grave. A Celtic burial of the La Tène period was found in the 19th century.[1]
Gallo-Roman buildings. Remains of Gallo-Roman buildings have been identified north of Ecublens and at Villangeaux.[1]
Cemetery near the Broye. An undated cemetery was found near the Broye, along with skeletal remains of uncertain date.[1]
Sources
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Ecublens (FR) » (Jean-Pierre Dewarrat, version du 05.03.2026)
- Commune de Rue, « Histoire »
- État de Fribourg, Recueil systématique (RSF 141.1.2), « Liste chronologique des fusions, divisions et changements de nom des communes »
- Frapp, « Rue, Auboranges, Chapelle et Ecublens fusionneront » (12.11.2023)
- Frapp, « Les députés fribourgeois valident la nouvelle commune de Rue » (23.05.2024)
Other villages near Ecublens
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