Perroy

Canton of Vaud · District: Nyon · 1'573 inhabitants (31.12.2025)

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

Origin of the name Perroy

The place is recorded in 910 in the form «Prihoiam» (or «Pirrhois»). The name then evolves: «Petroio» in 1013, «Perrueis» or «Perruei» in 1172, «Perruis» in 1249 and «Perruers» in 1344. The sources consulted give no etymology.

Founding of Perroy

The area was occupied long before the Middle Ages: a Neolithic axe, a Bronze Age dugout canoe and remains from the Roman period have been found there. The village is recorded from 910. In the Middle Ages it grew around its church of Notre-Dame, recorded in 1132, and a Benedictine priory dependent on the abbey of Tournus, founded between 1132 and 1172, which drew revenues from several localities. None of the sources consulted names a founder of the village.

History of Perroy

Neolithic. A Neolithic axe bears witness to an early human presence.

Bronze Age. A Bronze Age dugout canoe was found in the area.

Roman period. Remains from the Roman period, including a milestone discovered in 1888 along the road.

910. First mention of the place, in the form «Prihoiam».

1013. Form «Petroio»; the church may have succeeded a building dedicated to Saint Symphorian (1013/1014).

1132. First mention of the church of Notre-Dame.

1132-1172. Founding of the Benedictine priory, dependent on the abbey of Tournus.

1172. The priory is mentioned; form «Perrueis».

1361. The priory is sacked by people from Aubonne.

late 14th century. The priory enters a period of decline.

1412. The church is described as «dilapidated»; between 1481 and 1487 it is under construction.

1443. Only one monk remains at the priory, and none at all by 1518.

1530. During the affair of the Knights of the Spoon, the Confederates set fire to the castle.

Reformation. The priory is secularised; its property passes to the Senarclens, then to the Chandieu. Under Bern, Perroy is incorporated into the bailiwick of Morges.

1604. Perroy is cited as a commune.

1723. Carl Hackbrett buys the castle.

1828-1830. Renovation of the church nave, then in ruins.

19th century. Perroy is an essentially wine-growing village, with a few fishermen.

20th century. The village becomes mainly residential, with diversified activities.

2008. Perroy moves from the district of Rolle to the new district of Nyon, effective 1 January 2008.

Population of Perroy

229

1764

319

1803

452

1850

394

1900

383

1910

551

1950

1'104

2000

1'377

2011

1'573

2025

Historic sites in Perroy

Church of Notre-Dame (temple). Recorded in 1132, the church also served the Benedictine monks from the 12th century. Described as «dilapidated» in 1412, it was under construction between 1481 and 1487; its ruined nave was renovated between 1828 and 1830.

Château de Perroy. Castle whose foundations probably date from the 13th century, set on fire by the Confederates in 1530 during the affair of the Knights of the Spoon; it was bought in 1723 by Carl Hackbrett.

The priory. Benedictine priory dependent on the abbey of Tournus, founded between 1132 and 1172, sacked in 1361 and deserted at the beginning of the 16th century. Secularised at the Reformation, it became a private estate (manor house with farm buildings).

Domaine de Malessert. Former monastic estate transformed around 1744, listed in the cantonal inventory in 1990 (to be cross-checked).

La Couronnette. House enlarged in 1828, with a neoclassical facade (to be cross-checked).

Remains in Perroy

Prehistoric remains. The municipal territory has yielded numerous prehistoric remains, notably a Neolithic axe and a Bronze Age dugout canoe.

Roman milestone. A Roman milestone was discovered in 1888 along the road, evidence of a Roman road passing through.

Sources

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