Penthéréaz

Origin of the name Penthéréaz

First mentioned in 1141 as «Panterea». Later forms are «Pantheroia» (1154), «Pantereya» (1184) and «Panthereaz» (1453) (to be cross-checked). The origin of the name is not explained by the sources consulted.

Founding of Penthéréaz

None of the sources consulted names a founder or describes how the village came into being. It appears in 1141 with its church of Saint-Etienne. In the Middle Ages Penthéréaz belonged to the lordship of Echallens, held by the Montfaucon, a family established in the region since the 12th century (to be cross-checked). The church was a daughter church of Goumoens-la-Ville, and the right to present its priest belonged to the abbey of Montbenoît in Burgundy (diocese of Besançon).

History of Penthéréaz

1141. First mention of «Panterea» and of the church of Saint-Etienne, a daughter church of Goumoens-la-Ville.

Middle Ages. Penthéréaz belongs to the lordship of Echallens; the right of presentation to the church belongs to the abbey of Montbenoît in Burgundy.

1416. The village has 14 hearths (households).

1484. Incorporated into the common bailiwick of Orbe-Echallens, administered by Bern and Fribourg.

1619. Adoption of the Reformation; Penthéréaz henceforth belongs to the parish of Goumoens-la-Ville.

1675. Initially tolerated thanks to an intervention by the Federal Diet, the Catholics are forced to leave the municipality.

1798. Incorporated into the district of Echallens (until 2006); the village has 275 inhabitants.

1926. Adoption of the municipal coat of arms: two ears of wheat in the colours of the Montfaucon (to be cross-checked).

1981. Opening of the A1 motorway with the Chavornay exit; the population grows again.

2006. Start of a merger project with Goumoens-la-Ville, Goumoens-le-Jux and Eclagnens.

2008. Penthéréaz withdraws from the merger project; the new Vaud districts come into force and the municipality joins the district of Gros-de-Vaud.

Population of Penthéréaz

Population of Penthéréaz

1416	14 hearths (households)
1453	12 hearths (households)
1798	275
1850	369
1900	279
1950	262
1980	212
2000	342
2025	446

Historic sites in Penthéréaz

Church of Saint-Etienne. Church mentioned from 1141, a daughter church of Goumoens-la-Ville, whose right of presentation belonged to the abbey of Montbenoît in Burgundy. Since the Reformation of 1619 Penthéréaz has belonged to the parish of Goumoens-la-Ville.

Bernese house (tithe house). Building used to collect the tithe for the bailiffs; it is described as a listed historic monument (to be cross-checked).

Market gardening. The village has remained agricultural and has specialised in market gardening, especially endives.

Legends of Penthéréaz

The «Buïa-Tsa» and the «Matous». The inhabitants are nicknamed «Lè Buïa-Tsa» (in patois, «cat-washers») and «Les Matous». According to a popular anecdote, a woman is said to have put a cat in a washtub, deliberately or by accident (to be cross-checked).

Sources

• Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse (version allemande), « Penthéréaz »
• Commune de Penthéréaz, « Historique »
• Wikipédia (français), « Penthéréaz »
• Wikipedia (anglais), « Penthéréaz »
• Wikipédia, « Districts du canton de Vaud »
• Statistique Vaud, « Population résidante permanente au 31 décembre 2025 »

Other villages near Penthéréaz

• Goumoens-le-Jux (VD)
• Corcelles-sur-Chavornay (VD)
• Bavois (VD)
• Chavornay (VD)
• La Robellaz (VD)