Poliez-Pittet

Canton of Vaud · District: Gros-de-Vaud · 847 inhabitants (31.12.2025)

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

Origin of the name Poliez-Pittet

The village is mentioned between 1160 and 1179 as «Poleto», then in 1230 as «Pollie lo Pitet». The forms «Pully le Petit» around 1700 and «Pully-Pittet» in the 19th century are also found, before «Poliez-Pittet» from about 1850 (to be cross-checked). The name is said to come from a Gallo-Roman estate, «Polliacum», formed from the name of a Latin owner (Pollius or Paulius) and the suffix -acum. This estate is said to have split into two villages, Poliez-le-Grand and Poliez-Pittet, the «little» Poliez (to be cross-checked).

Founding of Poliez-Pittet

The site has been occupied since Roman times: a Gallo-Roman settlement, excavated at the end of the 19th century, yielded abundant material, including several bronze statuettes. The village name seems to perpetuate that of this ancient estate, but the sources consulted do not say when or by whom the medieval village was formed. In the Middle Ages, Poliez-Pittet belonged to the lords of Bottens.

History of Poliez-Pittet

Roman period. Gallo-Roman settlement upstream of the present village; excavated at the end of the 19th century, it yields abundant material, including several bronze statuettes.

1160-1179. First mention as «Poleto».

1230. Mention as «Pollie lo Pitet».

Middle Ages. The village belongs to the lords of Bottens.

1348. Poliez-Pittet is acquired, together with the castellany of Bottens, by the lords of Montfaucon, lords of Orbe and Echallens.

1416. The village has 18 hearths (households).

1434. Mention of the chapel of Sainte-Marie-Madeleine.

1475. After 1475, the village comes under the rule of Bern and Fribourg.

1481-1798. Poliez-Pittet belongs to the common bailiwick of Orbe-Echallens: the two cantons exercise jurisdiction, while the fief and the tithe belong to Bern. The village is run by the assembly of burghers.

16th century. As a dependency of the parish of Dommartin, the village does not fully adopt the Reformation and forms a mixed community.

1663. Founding of the Catholic school.

1714. The Protestant community is separated from Dommartin and attached to the parish of Poliez-le-Grand.

1750. Construction of a clock tower called the «turlet» (1780 according to other sources; to be cross-checked).

1758. Founding of the Protestant school.

1798. Attached to the district of Echallens, until 2006.

1820. The Protestants have a place of worship in Poliez-Pittet.

1866. The Catholics are separated from Bottens and form an independent parish.

1915. The chapel of Sainte-Marie-Madeleine is demolished and replaced the same year by a Catholic church built on a new site.

1983. Land consolidation.

2000. More than three quarters of the working population commute to Lausanne or Echallens; the municipality still has eighteen farms.

2008. With the new territorial division of Vaud, Poliez-Pittet becomes part of the Gros-de-Vaud district.

Population of Poliez-Pittet

18 hearths (households)

1416

47 hearths (households)

1764

332

1803

395

1850

347

1900

326

1950

543

2000

686

2010

847

2025

Historic sites in Poliez-Pittet

Le Turlet. The village clock tower, built in 1750 according to one source, in 1780 according to others (to be cross-checked). It served as a tower calling people to Reformed worship and, according to Wikipedia, housed a detention room (to be cross-checked).

Catholic church. Built in 1915 according to one source (1910-1914 or 1914 according to others; to be cross-checked) on a new site, it replaces the medieval chapel of Sainte-Marie-Madeleine. Building in exposed stone, attributed to the architect Louis Brazzola (to be cross-checked).

Reformed church. Reformed place of worship from 1924; the Protestant community had had a place of worship in the village since 1820.

Town hall. Building from 1861-1863.

Wooden granary. Granary dated 1523, one of the oldest buildings in the village (to be cross-checked).

Remains in Poliez-Pittet

Gallo-Roman settlement. Remains of a Gallo-Roman villa upstream of the village, on the line of an old Roman road. Excavated at the end of the 19th century, they yielded abundant material, including several bronze statuettes; coins bearing the image of Emperor Maximian are also reported (to be cross-checked).

Chapel of Sainte-Marie-Madeleine. Chapel mentioned in 1434, used for Catholic worship; it was demolished in 1915.

Legends of Poliez-Pittet

Les Croqua-Bleyssons. The inhabitants are nicknamed «les Croqua-Bleyssons», meaning the wild-pear eaters in Vaud patois.

Sources

Other villages near Poliez-Pittet

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