Mont-sur-Rolle
Origin of the name Mont-sur-Rolle
The place is recorded between 994 and 1031 in the form «Monte». In 1403 we find «Montibus» and «Mont loz Grant». The name «Mont-le-Grand» remained in use until the 19th century to distinguish the place from «Mont-le-Vieux», a neighbouring lordship; the form «Mont-sur-Rolle» only became established in the 20th century. The sources consulted do not explain the etymology.
Founding of Mont-sur-Rolle
None of the sources consulted gives a founding charter. In the Middle Ages Mont was the centre of the lordship of Mont-le-Grand, seat of the lords of Mont, with an original castle on the Molard. The monasteries of Romainmôtier and Bonmont held land there. In 1405 Mont, Germagny and Haute-Cour probably formed three territorial entities, which began to organise themselves as a commune from the 16th century (cemetery, town hall, chapel).
History of Mont-sur-Rolle
994-1031. First mention of the place, in the form «Monte».
996. A castle of Mont is mentioned («castello Mont») on the Molard (to be cross-checked).
Middle Ages. Mont is the centre of the lordship of Mont-le-Grand, seat of the lords of Mont; the monasteries of Romainmôtier and Bonmont hold land there.
1403. Forms «Montibus» and «Mont loz Grant».
1405. Mont, Germagny and Haute-Cour probably form three distinct territorial entities.
1475. During the Burgundian Wars, the small town and the castle of Mont are burned.
1498. The castle is still mentioned, then abandoned in favour of a fortified house in the vineyards.
1539-1798. Mont is incorporated into the bailiwick of Morges; it is governed by a council of nine members.
1553. Hans Steiger, treasurer of the Pays de Vaud, acquires the lordship, which his family keeps until 1798.
16th century. The three entities begin to organise themselves as a commune (cemetery, town hall, chapel).
1577. Construction of the Grosse Maison for Isaac de Mestral.
1621. Forming a parish with Perroy, Mont is a dependency of Gimel from the Reformation until 1621, then of Rolle.
1627. The fortified house in the vineyards is mentioned as a «château nouvellement bâti».
1798-2006. Mont-sur-Rolle belongs to the district of Rolle.
1841. Construction of the neoclassical Protestant church, the work of architect Henri Perregaux.
1941. Founding of a wine-growers' cooperative cellar.
1980s. Beginning of strong residential development.
2000. The municipality has 32 wine-growing holdings covering 270 hectares.
2008. Mont-sur-Rolle moves to the new district of Nyon, effective 1 January 2008.
Population of Mont-sur-Rolle
| 1764 | 414 |
| 1850 | 673 |
| 1900 | 683 |
| 1950 | 684 |
| 1980 | 1'035 |
| 2000 | 1'796 |
| 2025 | 2'759 |
Historic sites in Mont-sur-Rolle
Château de Mont. A simple house in the vineyards in 1517, turned into a fortified house in 1597 and mentioned as a «château nouvellement bâti» in 1627; it replaced the original castle on the Molard. Listed in the cantonal inventory in 1976.
Protestant church (temple). Neoclassical church built in 1841 by architect Henri Perregaux; listed in the cantonal inventory in 1974.
La Grosse Maison. House built in 1577 by the mason Pierre Billon for Isaac de Mestral; listed in the cantonal inventory in 1976.
The Molard. Site of the original castle of the lords of Mont, burned together with the small town in 1475 during the Burgundian Wars and abandoned after 1498.
The hamlets in the vineyards. Besides the village, the municipality includes several hamlets in the vineyards: L'Abbaye, Crochet, Germagny, Haute-Cour and Mont-Dessus.
Sources
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Mont-sur-Rolle »
- Wikipédia, « Mont-sur-Rolle »
- Wikipédia, « Districts du canton de Vaud »
- Statistique Vaud, « Population résidante permanente au 31 décembre 2025 »
Localities of the municipality with a page
Other villages near Mont-sur-Rolle
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