Essertines-sur-Rolle
Origin of the name Essertines-sur-Rolle
The place is mentioned in 1152 in the form «Essartinis». Other early forms are cited: «in villa Essertines» around the year 1000, «Ersertines» around 1141, «Essertines» in 1180 and 1228 (to be cross-checked). The name comes from the word «essart», cleared land (Late Latin «exsartum»), with a diminutive suffix (to be cross-checked). The later addition «sur-Rolle» distinguishes the municipality from the other Essertines.
Founding of Essertines-sur-Rolle
None of the sources consulted says who founded the village. Its name recalls land won by clearing. Its territory roughly corresponds to that of the lordship of Mont-le-Vieux, on which it depended. A small town had formed against the castle of Mont-le-Vieux (recorded from 1179); it was abandoned in the 15th century in favour of the hamlets of Essertines; the castle was destroyed in 1475. The municipality includes the village of Essertines, the hamlet of Bugnaux and Châtel.
History of Essertines-sur-Rolle
Roman period. Settlement attested by a few Roman remains at Bugnaux.
Carolingian period. A first church is built; its foundations survive beneath the Romanesque church of Saint-André.
1152. Mention of the place in the form «Essartinis».
12th century. The church of Saint-André depends on the Benedictine abbey of Saint-Jean-hors-les-Murs in Geneva. In church matters, Essertines belongs to the diocese of Geneva, deanery of Aubonne.
1179. First mention of the castle of Mont-le-Vieux, then held by the lords of Cossonay-Prangins (holders to be cross-checked).
1293. The castle is confiscated by Amadeus V of Savoy; his brother Louis I of Vaud becomes its lord (to be cross-checked).
1315. The subjects of the castle of Mont-le-Vieux receive the franchises of Moudon.
1475. The castle of Mont-le-Vieux is destroyed; the neighbouring small town is abandoned in the 15th century in favour of the hamlets of Essertines.
1536. Bernese conquest: Essertines belongs to the bailiwick of Morges until 1798 and, for justice, comes under the castellany courts of Rolle and Mont-le-Vieux. At the Reformation, the parish is attached to Gimel.
1558. The barony of Mont-le-Vieux is acquired by Jean Steiger; the Steiger family keeps it until 1798 (to be cross-checked).
1692. Renovation of the church of Saint-André.
1784. After a fire, Bern orders that houses must not be rebuilt in continuous rows.
1798. Essertines is placed in the district of Aubonne.
1803. The municipality moves to the district of Rolle.
1828. Châtel and Bugnaux ask, without success, to separate from Essertines.
1837. The hamlets are attached to the parish of Rolle.
1907. Further renovation of the church.
1925. Adoption of the coat of arms: three interlaced rings symbolising the union of Essertines, Châtel and Bugnaux (to be cross-checked).
2000. After a long decline, the population grows again: the proximity of Geneva makes Essertines a residential municipality. The municipality remains split between two school districts.
2008. Essertines-sur-Rolle, until then in the district of Rolle, becomes part of the new district of Nyon, created by the territorial reorganisation of 2006.
Population of Essertines-sur-Rolle
| 1764 | 337 |
| 1798 | 434 |
| 1850 | 564 |
| 1900 | 453 |
| 1950 | 402 |
| 1980 | 296 |
| 2000 | 496 |
| 2025 | 770 |
Historic sites in Essertines-sur-Rolle
Church of Saint-André. Romanesque church built on Carolingian foundations, placed from the 12th century under the abbey of Saint-Jean-hors-les-Murs in Geneva and renovated in 1692 and 1907. The medieval choir keeps windows dated 1412 and 1518; the bell tower was replaced in 1809 and the building has been a listed historic monument since 1955 (details to be cross-checked).
Bugnaux. Wine-growing hamlet of the municipality, on the slope, where Roman remains have been recorded. It includes the house of Favières (to be cross-checked).
Châtel. Hamlet of the municipality which, together with Bugnaux, asked in vain in 1828 to separate from Essertines.
Remains in Essertines-sur-Rolle
Castle of Mont-le-Vieux. Castle recorded from 1179, centre of the lordship on which Essertines depended, with a small town built against it. It was destroyed in 1475 and, never restored, was then used as a quarry (to be cross-checked); the small town was abandoned in the 15th century.
Roman remains at Bugnaux. A few remains from the Roman period have been found at Bugnaux.
Carolingian foundations of the church. Beneath the Romanesque church of Saint-André survive the foundations of a Carolingian building.
Sources
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Essertines-sur-Rolle »
- Wikipédia, « Essertines-sur-Rolle »
- Statistique Vaud, « Population résidante permanente au 31 décembre 2025 »
- Wikipédia, « Districts du canton de Vaud »
- swisstopo, map.geo.admin.ch (coordonnées)
Localities of the municipality with a page
Other villages near Essertines-sur-Rolle
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