Epalinges
Origin of the name Epalinges
Name origin: first written mention in 1182 in the form « de Spanengis ». The name is said to derive from the Latin cognomen Hispanius or Spanius, with the suffix -anicu (to be cross-checked).
Founding of Epalinges
The village was probably created at the beginning of the second millennium through successive clearings in the Jorat forest (to be cross-checked). In the Middle Ages, Epalinges formed, together with Sugnens, a prebend of the chapter of Lausanne. The municipality, an enclave within the municipality of Lausanne, consists of Epalinges-Village, Les Croisettes, La Croix-Blanche and several hamlets. For a long time it lived from farming and from the Lausanne-Bern road that crosses it, from which it drew revenue in return for its upkeep.
History of Epalinges
1182. First written mention of the locality, in the form « de Spanengis ».
Middle Ages. Epalinges forms, together with Sugnens, a prebend of the chapter of Lausanne.
13th century. The Lausanne-Bern road, which crosses Epalinges, is recorded from this period; it becomes very busy from the 17th century.
1384. Epalinges belongs to the jurisdiction of Lausanne and, militarily, to the banner of Bourg.
1454. First mention of a communal organisation.
1536. Bern becomes lord of Epalinges.
1563. Mention of a governor of the commune.
1662. Construction of the church and creation of the parish of Les Croisettes.
1673. A mill and a sawmill are operating on the banks of the Flon.
1675-1875. Operation of the Lädermann tile and brick works.
1709. A municipal hall is recorded in the Village.
1798. Epalinges is attached to the district of Lausanne.
1902. The municipality is connected to the Lausanne tramway network.
1916. Opening of two hospital establishments, the first to fight tuberculosis in the lowlands.
1943-1947. A merger with the municipality of Lausanne is considered in 1943, then the project is abandoned in 1947.
1950. Epalinges remains an agricultural municipality until this date, before becoming residential, with apartment districts and villa zones.
1970. Construction of the main hall at La Croix-Blanche, which becomes the heart of the municipality.
1973. Political parties (socialists, radicals, liberals) enter the municipal elections.
1975. The municipal hall moves into the former inn of La Croix-Blanche.
Population of Epalinges
| 1550 | 13 hearths (households) |
| 1709 | 219 |
| 1764 | 361 |
| 1798 | 508 |
| 1850 | 759 |
| 1900 | 717 |
| 1950 | 863 |
| 1970 | 3'844 |
| 2000 | 7'516 |
| 2022 | 9'822 |
| 2025 | 9'869 |
Historic sites in Epalinges
Temple des Croisettes. Church built in 1662, the year the parish of Les Croisettes was created. Its bell tower was replaced in 1913 (to be cross-checked).
La Croix-Blanche. Long one of the two centres of the municipality alongside the Village, it brought together the church and a school. It became the heart of Epalinges with the main hall (1970) and the municipal hall installed in 1975 in the former inn.
Epalinges-Village. Second historic centre of the municipality, where a municipal hall is recorded from 1709, with a school.
The Lausanne-Bern road. Recorded from the 13th century and very busy from the 17th, it crosses Epalinges, which drew revenue from it and ensured its upkeep.
Sources
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Epalinges » (François Béboux, version du 02.09.2004)
- Wikipédia, « Épalinges »
- Statistique Vaud, « Population résidante permanente au 31 décembre 2025 »
- geo.admin.ch (swisstopo), recherche de lieux
Other villages near Epalinges
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