Le Vaud

Origin of the name Le Vaud

Origin of the name: the name is attested in 1664 in the form «le Vaud»; the commune states that in the 1300s people said «Au Vaud», then «Du Vaud». It probably comes from the German «Wald», forest; other explanations (Latin «vallis», valley, or a regional term for a ford) are sometimes put forward (to be cross-checked). The commune's website reports that the old village was called «Volotar».

Founding of Le Vaud

Le Vaud grew out of the decline of two settlements of the Cistercian abbey of Bonmont. Montlaçon («Monte Laciano» in 1145), ceded by the nobles of Begnins to Bonmont, was a grange of the abbey; another hamlet dependent on Bonmont existed from 1272 at the place called Volota. For unknown reasons, these two localities declined in the 14th century in favour of Le Vaud. The abbey held the lordship, tithes and jurisdiction there, as recalled by the two keys in the communal coat of arms.

History of Le Vaud

1145. Montlaçon («Monte Laciano»), ceded by the nobles of Begnins to the abbey of Bonmont, becomes one of its granges.

1272. A hamlet dependent on Bonmont is attested at the place called Volota.

14th century. Montlaçon and Volota decline in favour of Le Vaud; the village is then called «Au Vaud», later «Du Vaud».

1494. Bonmont, no longer able to assert its authority, hands over part of its property to the Count of Gruyère, François II.

1536. Under Bernese rule (1536-1798) the village belongs to the bailiwick of Morges, while tithes, lordship and jurisdiction belong to Bonmont. It is part of the parish of Burtigny.

1634. Le Vaud and Gingins divide the Pré-aux-Veaux, until then held jointly by the two communes.

1664. First known mention of the form «le Vaud».

1670. Demarcation of the mountain pastures of the seven communes known as Les Amburnex.

1706. The commune buys the Les Chenevières pasture.

1792. The commune acquires the La Pouilleuse pasture.

1798. Le Vaud becomes part of the district of Nyon.

1847. On 27 August the commune buys the Les Trois-Chalets pasture.

1960. Until then the village remains agricultural, with pastures and forests outside the communal territory.

1965. Foundation of the La Garenne zoological park.

1970-2000. The population rises from 164 to 942: the village becomes residential, with many commuters working in Nyon and above all in Geneva.

1994. Construction of a school and community centre.

1998. The La Garenne park is taken over by a foundation.

2004. Construction of the municipal building.

Population of Le Vaud

Population of Le Vaud

1764	152
1798	167
1850	200
1900	190
1950	180
1970	164
1990	682
2000	942
2025	1'374

Historic sites in Le Vaud

La Garenne zoological park. Park devoted to native wildlife, founded in 1965 and run by a foundation since 1998.

Communal alpine pastures. The commune owns several pastures outside its territory, in Marchissy and Le Chenit: among others Les Chenevières (bought in 1706), La Pouilleuse (1792) and Les Trois-Chalets (1847).

School and community centre. Built in 1994 and supplemented by the municipal building in 2004, it reflects the village's population growth.

Remains in Le Vaud

Old roads. The village is crossed by two old roads, probably medieval, on one of the routes leading to the Marchairuz pass.

Sources

• Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Le Vaud »
• Commune de Le Vaud, « Histoire »
• Wikipédia, « Le Vaud »
• Statistique Vaud, « Population résidante permanente au 31 décembre 2025 »

Other villages near Le Vaud

• Bassins (VD)
• Marchissy (VD)
• Burtigny (VD)
• Longirod (VD)
• Bioley (VD)