Goumoëns
Origin of the name Goumoëns
The commune keeps the name already borne by two of the three merged communes, Goumoens-la-Ville and Goumoens-le-Jux. The agreement sets it in one sentence: «Le nom de la nouvelle commune est Goumoëns». The old names remain those of the localities.[1]
Founding of Goumoëns
The project starts with four communes, including Penthéréaz, which withdraws in 2008. Eclagnens, Goumoens-la-Ville and Goumoens-le-Jux carry on alone and form Goumoëns on 1 July 2011. Its coat of arms is «D'azur à trois coquilles d'or, à la bordure du même». These arms combine elements of the three former communes: the shells come from Goumoens-le-Jux, where they recalled allegiance to the old lordship of Grandson. North-west of Echallens, the territory covers some 1'067 hectares, 790 of them fields and 237 woodland, and the Talent, coming down from the heights of Froideville, crosses it. In the Middle Ages the fate of the three villages was bound up with the lordship of Goumoëns. Goumoens-la-Ville was then the centre of a large parish, and Goumoens-le-Jux grew out of a parcel detached from its commune. The two small villages also shared a schoolmaster: appointed in 1730, Jean-Baptiste Jolimay taught the class alternately at Goumoens-le-Jux and at Eclagnens.[1][2][3][5][6]
History of Goumoëns
1097. A « castrum » in the Talent valley attests the lordship of Goumoëns, whose castle gave its name to Goumoens-le-Châtel, today's Saint-Barthélemy.[5]
1135. Guy de Goumoëns is among the founders of the abbey of Montheron.[6]
12th century. The church of Goumoens-la-Ville, which depends on the abbey of Montbenoît near Pontarlier, heads a parish reaching as far as the chapels of Oulens, Echallens, Villars-le-Terroir and Penthéréaz.[1][5]
around 1184. At Goumoens-le-Jux stands the tower on the Talent, the « Turris de Thela ». It was pulled down in 1475 and never rebuilt.[1][5]
early 13th century. Goumoens-la-Ville having overtaken Goumoens-le-Châtel, the lordship is split into three among the branches descended from Guy Barata de Goumoëns.[5]
1441. The chapel of Eclagnens, maintained in the 13th century by the chamberlain of Romainmôtier, is still mentioned.[1]
1534. Eclagnens organises itself as a commune. It builds a new communal house in 1836.[1]
1798. Goumoens-le-Jux is placed under guardianship. The small commune only regains its independence in 1974.[1]
2006. In December four communes begin studying a merger, a study that runs until May 2008.[1]
2008. Penthéréaz leaves the project in June.[1]
2009. From February to June the project is taken up again and completed with three communes.[1]
2009. The three general councils adopt the merger agreement on 4 November.[1]
2010. In the vote of 7 March Eclagnens says yes by 54 votes to 6, Goumoens-la-Ville by 265 to 16 and Goumoens-le-Jux by 29 to 1.[1][2]
2011. Goumoëns becomes a commune on 1 July.[1][2][3]
Population of Goumoëns
Sources and references: [4]
| 2025 | 1'251 |
Historic sites in Goumoëns
Administrative seat. The communal administration and the polling office are in Goumoens-la-Ville.[1]
Church of Saint-Théodule (Goumoens-la-Ville). The very old Reformed church has a choir listed as a historic monument, as is a bell dated 1501. Its last major restorations date from 1979 and 1996.[1][6][7]
Château-Dessous (Goumoens-la-Ville). Once the lords' residence, it keeps its old towers and a main wing of 1614. Handed over in 1924 to a foundation to open a home for the elderly, it is listed in the inventory of cultural property with its tower and fountain.[6][7]
Château-Dessus (Goumoens-la-Ville). This second castle was bought in 1477 to serve as a residence.[6]
Site of the Talent tower (Goumoens-le-Jux). Of the tower pulled down in 1475, the ditches remain, crossed by the modern road.[1]
Sources
- État de Vaud, Conseil d'État, exposé des motifs et projet de décret no 293 sur la fusion des communes d'Eclagnens, Goumoens-la-Ville et Goumoens-le-Jux (avril 2010)
- État de Vaud, communiqué « Trois nouvelles fusions de communes réussies ce dimanche » (7 mars 2010)
- État de Vaud, « Fusions de communes en chiffres (2025) »
- Statistique Vaud, « Population résidante permanente au 31 décembre 2025 »
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Goumoëns (seigneurie) » (Jean-Jacques Bouquet, version du 15.10.2009)
- Feuille des avis officiels du canton de Vaud, « Goumoëns », Alphabet des communes vaudoises
- Office fédéral de la protection de la population (OFPP), Inventaire PBC, liste cantonale du canton de Vaud (état au 1.1.2026)
Localities of the municipality with a page
Other villages near Goumoëns
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