Lutry
Origin of the name Lutry
The place is mentioned in 908 in the phrase "in Lustraco villam", then in the forms "Lustriacus" (1124) and "Lustriey" (1147). The suffix "-acum" denotes an old Gallo-Roman estate; the personal name it may contain is not established in the sources consulted (to be cross-checked).
Founding of Lutry
The site has been occupied since the Neolithic, as shown by stone-cist graves at Le Châtelard and Montagny and an alignment of menhirs, and in Roman times. The medieval town grew around a Benedictine priory dependent on the abbey of Savigny-en-Lyonnais, founded between 1025 and 1124, which held lordship over the surrounding area, while the bishop of Lausanne held temporal authority. In the early 13th century the town was surrounded by walls, including the so-called Bishop's Tower.
History of Lutry
Neolithic. Stone-cist graves at Le Châtelard and Montagny; alignment of twenty-four menhirs.
Roman period. Roman tiles, walls and architectural elements found at several sites.
908. First mention, in the phrase "in Lustraco villam".
1025-1124. Founding of a Benedictine priory dependent on the abbey of Savigny-en-Lyonnais.
early 13th century. Construction of the town walls and the so-called Bishop's Tower.
1416. The town has 200 hearths (households).
1536. Bernese conquest; the priory is suppressed and the bishop's property secularised.
1550. The town has 902 inhabitants (191 hearths).
1764. The commune has 1'780 inhabitants.
1798. The commune has 2'433 inhabitants.
1836-1838. A harbour is built.
1861. The station opens.
1896. A tramway to Lausanne goes into service.
1950. The commune has 2'916 inhabitants.
1984. An alignment of twenty-four menhirs is found during the construction of a car park.
2000. The commune has 8'270 inhabitants.
2007. The terraced vineyards of Lavaux, which begin at Lutry, are inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Population of Lutry
| 1416 | 200 hearths (households) |
| 1550 | 902 |
| 1764 | 1'780 |
| 1798 | 2'433 |
| 1850 | 2'011 |
| 1900 | 2'243 |
| 1950 | 2'916 |
| 1980 | 5'884 |
| 2000 | 8'270 |
| 2025 | 10'843 |
Historic sites in Lutry
Medieval town. The fortified town of the early 13th century, with the so-called Bishop's Tower, keeps its character on the lakeshore.
Former priory and church. The Benedictine priory founded between 1025 and 1124 is the origin of the town; suppressed in 1536, its church became the Reformed church.
Harbour. Built in 1836-1838, it recalls the role of the lake in Lutry's wine economy.
Lavaux vineyards. Lutry lies at the western entrance to the terraced Lavaux vineyards, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2007.
Remains in Lutry
Lutry menhirs. An alignment of twenty-four Neolithic menhirs, including a small stele engraved with a figure, was uncovered in 1984 during the construction of a car park.
Neolithic graves. Stone-cist graves have been found at Le Châtelard and Montagny.
Sources
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Lutry »
- Statistique Vaud, « Population résidante permanente au 31 décembre 2025 »
Localities of the municipality with a page
Other villages near Lutry
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