Fenalet-sur-Bex
Origin of the name Fenalet-sur-Bex
Name origin: not explained by the sources consulted. The hamlet appears as « Fenalet » in plans held in the Bex municipal archives dated 1697-1725; its current official name is Fenalet-sur-Bex.
Founding of Fenalet-sur-Bex
Fenalet is not a municipality: it is one of the eight hamlets of the municipality of Bex, together with Le Châtel, Les Dévens, Le Chêne, Les Posses, Le Bévieux, Frenières and Les Plans. It lies above the Bex vineyards, on the road to Gryon. The sources consulted say neither when nor by whom the hamlet was founded. In the past its inhabitants were farmers or miners; when the parents died, the eldest son inherited all the property. The hamlet is best known as the first home of the Thomas family, foresters, botanists and plant merchants. A bus line links it to Bex.
History of Fenalet-sur-Bex
1458. The Thomas family, settled at Fenalet and later at Les Dévens, are burghers of Bex from this year.
1697-1725. Plans of Fenalet are drawn up; they are kept in the Bex municipal archives.
1708-1781. Life of Pierre Thomas, a forester linked to the Bex saltworks, who works with Albrecht von Haller while the latter directs the saltworks.
1740-1824. Life of Abraham Thomas, Pierre's son, who collects plants for Haller from 1764 and organises a trade in seeds and plants.
1860-1870. About ten houses are built and sold to some 200 salt-mine workers, who came mainly from Fenalet and Les Dévens.
1891. An alpine garden created at Pont de Nant is named Thomasia in honour of the Thomas family.
1970. As part of a school merger, the Fenalet school closes; the children now attend school in Bex.
2016. The hamlet has 103 inhabitants.
Population of Fenalet-sur-Bex
| 2016 | 103 |
Historic sites in Fenalet-sur-Bex
Hamlet and vineyards. The hamlet lies above the Bex vineyards, on the road climbing to Gryon; the ISOS inventory of Gryon places the vines, below Gryon, in the area of Fenalet-sur-Bex.
Sources
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Bex (commune) »
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Thomas »
- Le Point Chablais, « Découverte des hameaux de Bex: partie 1 » (2016)
- Le Point Chablais, « Découverte des hameaux de Bex: 2e partie! » (2016)
- Archives cantonales vaudoises, inventaire Panorama, archives communales de Bex, « Plans. Fenalet. » (1697-1725)
- Inventaire fédéral ISOS, « Gryon » (relevé 2013)
- Statistique Vaud, « Population résidante permanente au 31 décembre 2025 »
Other villages near Fenalet-sur-Bex
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