Marchissy

Origin of the name Marchissy

The name appears in 1235 as «Marchisie». None of the sources consulted explains its etymology. The inhabitants are called Martiolans (or Marchiolans, Marthiolands).

Founding of Marchissy

None of the sources consulted says when or by whom the village was founded. In the Middle Ages Marchissy lay on the border between the spheres of influence of the lords of Bonmont and Aubonne. In 1262 Wuillierme de Prangins was described as lord of Mont, Bioley and Marchissy; in 1359 the rights of the lord of Aubonne became predominant there. The forests were long the village's main source of wealth.

History of Marchissy

1235. First mention («Marchisie»).

1262. Wuillierme de Prangins is described as lord of Mont, Bioley and Marchissy.

1337. Louis II of Savoy, Baron of Vaud, grants the monks of Bonmont the right to graze their livestock on the common pastures of Marchissy and Burtigny.

1359. The rights of the lord of Aubonne become predominant.

14th century. Linden trees are planted near the church, around 1380 according to one source (to be cross-checked); one of them still stands.

1518. Marchissy, which belongs to the parish of Burtigny, has a chapel of Saint-Nicolas.

1667. Marchissy is united with the parish of Longirod.

1701. Marchissy is incorporated into the bailiwick of Aubonne, until 1798.

1798. Marchissy belongs to the district of Aubonne, until 2006 (another source also mentions a period in the district of Rolle, to be cross-checked).

1874. The school is built to plans by Auguste Falconnier (1873 according to another source).

1877. A major fire destroys half of the upper village, 22 buildings in all.

1888. A cheese-making society is founded.

1903. One of the two old linden trees collapses during a storm.

1914-1915. The church is restored and fitted with stained-glass windows by Müller and Dufour.

1920. The community hall is built.

1974. A sewage treatment plant is built; a zoning plan follows in 1979.

1994. The municipal building is inaugurated.

2007. A forestry shed is inaugurated.

2008. The new Vaud districts come into force: Marchissy is now part of the district of Nyon.

2010. The fire brigades of Saint-George, Longirod and Marchissy merge.

2025. The municipality has 492 inhabitants.

Population of Marchissy

Population of Marchissy

1764	224
1850	278
1900	280
1950	234
1980	194
2000	348
2025	492

Historic sites in Marchissy

Linden tree of Marchissy. A large-leaved linden (Tilia platyphyllos) beside the church at the entrance to the village, planted between 1300 and 1400 and about 700 years old. Its trunk measures 10.95 metres in circumference and its crown 20 metres in diameter. It is presented as the second largest and oldest linden in Switzerland after the one at Linn. Its flower appears on the municipal coat of arms, «d'argent à la barre de sinople chargée d'une fleur de tilleul d'or» (argent, a bend sinister vert charged with a linden flower or).

Temple (former church of Saint-Nicolas). A church of medieval origin, mentioned as the chapel of Saint-Nicolas in 1518, when Marchissy belonged to the parish of Burtigny. It was restored in 1914-1915, with stained-glass windows by Müller and Dufour, and again in 1950-1951.

Old school. A building from 1874 constructed to plans by Auguste Falconnier; it houses a 15th-century bell.

Sources

• Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Marchissy »
• Commune de Marchissy, « Histoire »
• Commune de Marchissy, « Le Tilleul »
• Commune de Burtigny, « Le Château de Biolley »
• Commune de Burtigny, « L'Eglise »
• Wikipédia, « Marchissy »
• Wikipédia, « Districts du canton de Vaud »
• Statistique Vaud, « Population résidante permanente au 31 décembre 2025 »

Other villages near Marchissy

• Longirod (VD)
• Le Vaud (VD)
• Burtigny (VD)
• Bassins (VD)
• Saint-George (VD)