Evionnaz
Origin of the name Evionnaz
The name appears in 1263 as « Eviona », then « Evyone » (1338), « Ivvian » (1544) and « Yvian » (1654). Its origin remains obscure. It is said to designate a watercourse, with a Celtic element related to water, but nothing is established.[1][2]
Founding of Evionnaz
Nobody knows who founded Evionnaz. La Tène burial mounds at Bois-Noir, on the alluvial fan of the Saint-Barthélemy torrent, show early settlement. Tradition places here the Roman settlement of « Epanum » or « Eponnaz », said to have been buried by the Tauredunum landslide. From the Middle Ages until its separation, Evionnaz was part of the large municipality of Saint-Maurice, first under the House of Savoy and, after 1475, under the rule of the Upper Valais dizains. On the edge of the Rhône plain, on the left bank, its very large territory rises to the Dents du Midi and includes the hamlets of La Balmaz and La Rasse. Long agricultural and planted with walnut trees, the village became a large industrial centre with the Orgamol chemical plant.[1][2]
History of Evionnaz
563. According to tradition, the Tauredunum landslide reportedly buries the place « Epanum » or « Eponnaz ».[2]
1263. First attestation of the name, in the form « Eviona ».[1][2]
1636. Construction of the chapel of Saint-Bernard-de-Menthon at Evionnaz. The chapel of Saint-Barthélemy at La Rasse also dates from the 17th century.[1]
1644. The village burns down.[1][3]
1822. On 27 June the Valais Council of State accepts the separation of Evionnaz from Saint-Maurice.[1][2]
1842. Final division of common property with Saint-Maurice, after many disputes.[1][2]
1844. Clashes at La Balmaz between the liberals of Young Switzerland and the conservatives of Old Switzerland.[1]
1846. Construction of a new church dedicated to Saint Bernard of Menthon, in 1846 (or 1840-1843), date uncertain.[1][3]
1847. Evionnaz separates from the parish of Saint-Maurice and becomes an independent parish.[1][2][3]
1919. Evionnaz obtains jurisdiction over the Salanfe plateau.[1]
1926. The Saint-Barthélemy torrent overflows and destroys the railway viaduct.[4]
1958. The chemical plant Orgamol is set up. It employs 450 people in 2002.[1]
Population of Evionnaz
Sources and references: [1][5]
| 1850 | 655 |
| 1900 | 929 |
| 1950 | 713 |
| 2000 | 930 |
| 2025 | 1'534 |
Historic sites in Evionnaz
Church of Saint-Bernard-de-Menthon. In 1636 a chapel dedicated to Saint Bernard of Menthon was built at Evionnaz. It was replaced by a new building in 1846 (or 1840-1843, date uncertain), shortly before the parish was established in 1847.[1][2][3]
Chapel of Saint-Barthélemy at La Rasse. 17th-century chapel in the hamlet of La Rasse, linked to the damage caused by the so-called Saint-Barthélemy torrent.[1]
La Balmaz. Hamlet of the municipality where liberals of Young Switzerland and conservatives of Old Switzerland clashed in 1844.[1]
Salanfe. Alpine pasture plateau whose use, like that of Suzanfe, caused centuries-long conflicts with Salvan. Evionnaz obtained jurisdiction over it in 1919. It holds an artificial lake and a hydroelectric dam.[1]
Remains in Evionnaz
Bois-Noir burial mounds. Remains of several La Tène burial mounds at the Bois-Noir locality, on the alluvial fan of the Saint-Barthélemy torrent.[1]
Legends of Evionnaz
The buried village of Epanum. According to tradition, the Roman place « Epanum » or « Eponnaz » was buried by the Tauredunum landslide, in 563 or 513 depending on the author. In 1923, laying a telephone cable is said to have revealed a shaft more than 30 m deep, attributed to this buried village and then filled in.[2]
The Saint-Barthélemy torrent. According to tradition, after the ravages of the La Marre torrent, the inhabitants built a chapel at La Rasse and gave the torrent the name Saint-Barthélemy. A procession is reportedly still held there.[2]
Sources
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Evionnaz » (Bernard Monnet, version du 17.11.2004)
- Commune d'Evionnaz, « Historique »
- Office fédéral de la culture, ISOS, « Evionnaz », fiche n° 4920 (2e version, 03.1997)
- Le Nouvelliste valaisan, 28.09.1926 (RERO DOC), nouvelles sur le torrent de Saint-Barthélemy
- Office fédéral de la statistique (OFS), STATPOP, chiffres provisoires au 31.12.2025, via citypopulation.de
- geo.admin.ch, recherche de lieux (coordonnées)
Localities of the municipality with a page
Other villages near Evionnaz
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