Ecublens
Origin of the name Ecublens
The place is mentioned in 958 or 959 in the form "in villa Escublens", then in 964 as "Scubilingis". The ending, derived from the suffix "-ingos", is typical of place names of Burgundian origin; the meaning of the first element is not established in the sources consulted (to be cross-checked).
Founding of Ecublens
Ecublens has no known founder. The area has been frequented since prehistory: a Hallstatt grave at Dorigny, three Bronze Age graves and several La Tène graves at Valeyre and Bassenges. In the 10th century it was part of the territory of Renens; its church, dedicated to Saint Peter and mentioned in 1228, depended on the priory of Saint-Sulpice. The village remained rural until the mid-20th century; the arrival of the University of Lausanne (1970) and EPFL (1977) on the Dorigny site turned it into a town.
History of Ecublens
Bronze Age. Three graves at Valeyre.
Hallstatt period. Grave at Dorigny.
La Tène period. Several graves at Bassenges and Valeyre.
958-959. First mention, in the form "in villa Escublens".
964. The name appears in the form "Scubilingis".
10th century. The place is part of the territory of Renens.
1228. The church, dedicated to Saint Peter and attached to the priory of Saint-Sulpice, is mentioned.
1416. The village has 38 hearths (households).
1536. Bernese conquest; Ecublens becomes part of the bailiwick of Lausanne.
around 1770. Étienne de Loys has the Château de Dorigny built.
1798. The village has 413 inhabitants.
1900. The village has 777 inhabitants.
1960s-1970s. Many industrial firms move in.
1970. The University of Lausanne and the cantonal library begin moving to Dorigny.
1970. The commune has 6'379 inhabitants.
1977. The Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL) moves to Dorigny.
2000. The commune has 10'227 inhabitants.
Population of Ecublens
| 1416 | 38 hearths (households) |
| 1764 | 268 |
| 1798 | 413 |
| 1850 | 613 |
| 1900 | 777 |
| 1950 | 1'269 |
| 1960 | 2'240 |
| 1970 | 6'379 |
| 2000 | 10'227 |
| 2025 | 13'758 |
Historic sites in Ecublens
EPFL and University of Lausanne campus. Established at Dorigny from 1970 and 1977, these two universities occupy a large part of the commune on the lakeshore.
Château de Dorigny. Built around 1770 by Étienne de Loys, it now stands on the university site.
Church of Saint-Pierre. Mentioned from 1228, it depended on the priory of Saint-Sulpice.
Remains in Ecublens
Prehistoric graves of Dorigny, Valeyre and Bassenges. A Hallstatt grave at Dorigny, three Bronze Age graves at Valeyre and several La Tène graves bear witness to early occupation of the area.
Sources
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Ecublens (VD) »
- Statistique Vaud, « Population résidante permanente au 31 décembre 2025 »
Other villages near Ecublens
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