Mathod

Canton of Vaud · District: Jura-Nord vaudois · 740 inhabitants (31.12.2025, municipality)

Origin of the name Founding Historical timeline Population over time Must-see historical sites Remains Sources and references Nearby villages

Origin of the name Mathod

The village is mentioned in 1141 as «Mastod» (or «Masthod»), then as «Mastoud» in 1235 and «Mathod» in 1382. None of the sources consulted explains its etymology. The municipal coat of arms plays on the name by showing three cat's heads, the «mathous».

Founding of Mathod

Mathod lay on the Roman road from Orbe to Avenches, at the fork towards Pontarlier, and Roman remains (tiles, lime) have been found there. None of the sources consulted names a founder of the village. In the Middle Ages the locality first depended on the abbey of the Lac de Joux, which owned land there from 1141, then was attached to the lordship of Champvent and finally to that of la Mothe. Under Bernese rule Mathod formed a castellany with a castellan and six jurors.

History of Mathod

Roman period. The site lies on the Roman road from Orbe to Avenches, at the fork towards Pontarlier; Roman tiles and lime have been found there.

1141. First mention, as «Mastod»; the abbey of the Lac de Joux owns land there.

12th century. The village has a church dedicated to Saint Martin.

1235. Mentioned as «Mastoud».

1285-1558. The Saint-Martin church is a parish church.

1370. The Count of Neuchâtel exchanges his lands with the Count of Savoy (to be cross-checked); most of the village then belongs to the lordship of la Mothe.

1382. The name appears in its present form, «Mathod».

1416. Mathod has 40 hearths.

17th century. Construction of the main block of the castle.

1691. Date of the pulpit of the church built after the Reformation.

1747. The lords free the inhabitants from all corvée labour in return for a payment of 2'000 florins.

18th century. The castle, lived in by the Bernese families Weiss, Thormann and Burmann, is enlarged with two wings and a large covered staircase of Palladian inspiration.

1798. Mathod becomes part of the district of Yverdon.

1936-1938. Construction of the new church, inaugurated in spring 1938.

2008. Mathod becomes part of the new district of Jura-Nord vaudois.

early 21st century. The village, which has specialised in market gardening since the draining of the marshes, regains momentum thanks to its location between the exits of the A1 and A9 motorways.

28 September 2025. Voters of Mathod (224 yes, 47 no) and Suscévaz (85 yes, 41 no) approve the merger agreement.

1 January 2027. Planned entry into force of the merger with Suscévaz; the new municipality is to be called Mathod-Suscévaz.

Population of Mathod

40 hearths (households)

1416

229

1764

350

1803

382

1850

358

1900

368

1950

459

2000

740

2025

Historic sites in Mathod

Mathod Castle. Bernese castle whose main block dates from the 17th century and which was enlarged in the 18th century with two wings and a large covered staircase of Palladian inspiration. It housed the Bernese families Weiss, Thormann and Burmann. A chapel stands next to it. It is a cultural property of national significance.

Mathod church. Church built in 1936-1938 by the architect Paul Lavenex, with stained glass by Casimir Reymond, replacing the old Saint-Martin church, attested from the 12th century and enlarged in 1738 (to be cross-checked). It stands out for its bell tower on a rectangular plan.

Rural houses. The village centre preserves characteristic farmers' and winegrowers' houses from the 17th to the 19th century.

Remains in Mathod

Roman remains. Roman tiles and lime found on the municipal territory, which lay on the Orbe-Avenches road.

Sources

Other villages near Mathod

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