Presinge
Origin of the name Presinge
The name appears after the year 1000 as « in Presiago », then in 1180 in the phrase « villa que appellatur Presingium ». Its etymology is not established. The municipality believes it may reflect the presence of the Burgundians.[1][2]
Founding of Presinge
Who founded Presinge is not known. A Roman villa from the late 1st or early 2nd century, with fragments of painted walls and a mosaic, was uncovered at Cara. In the Middle Ages the village first depended on the counts of Genève and the de Grailly family, lords of Ville-la-Grand. From the end of the 14th century the Count of Savoy obtained all temporal rights over Presinge through inheritance. Later, when Genève inherited some of the cathedral chapter's rights, many citizens of the city acquired large farming estates in Presinge. The municipality has resisted suburban development and keeps an essentially rural character.[1][2]
History of Presinge
Late 1st-early 2nd century. A Roman villa, with painted walls and a mosaic, stands at Cara.[1]
After the year 1000. First mention of the name, as « in Presiago ».[1]
1180. Mention of the « villa que appellatur Presingium ».[1]
Middle Ages. Presinge first depends on the counts of Genève and the de Grailly family, lords of Ville-la-Grand.[1]
1304. First mention of the church of Saint-Félix, whose building has Romanesque foundations.[1]
Late 14th century. The Count of Savoy obtains, through inheritance, all temporal rights over Presinge.[1]
1412. Presinge has about 160 inhabitants.[1]
1420. The church comes under the cathedral chapter of Saint-Pierre in Genève.[1][2]
1536. Bern occupies the Gaillard area. The parish adopts the Reformation.[1]
1544. Genève inherits some of the chapter's rights over Presinge. Many citizens of the city acquire large farming estates there.[1]
1567. Bern returns the Gaillard area to the Duke of Savoy.[1]
After 1598. The parish returns definitively to Catholicism.[1]
1754. The chapter's rights inherited by Genève are ceded to Savoy.[1]
1792. Having become French, Presinge is attached together with Puplinge to the newly created municipality of Ville-la-Grand.[1]
1816. Presinge and Puplinge are ceded to the canton of Genève and form a single municipality.[1]
1851. Because of the discord between the inhabitants of the two villages, the Council of State ratifies the division of the municipality.[1][2]
1970. Most recent restoration of the church of Saint-Félix, enlarged and restored several times.[1]
Population of Presinge
Sources and references: [1][3]
| 1412 | 160 inhabitants approximately |
| 1850 | 592 (with Puplinge) |
| 1900 | 311 |
| 1950 | 268 |
| 2000 | 614 |
| 2010 | 622 |
| 2025 | 731 |
Historic sites in Presinge
Cara. Hamlet of the municipality, where a Roman villa from the late 1st or early 2nd century was uncovered.[1][2]
La Louvière. Hamlet of the municipality.[1]
Church of Saint-Félix. Church mentioned in 1304, built on Romanesque foundations, dependent on the cathedral chapter of Genève from 1420, enlarged and restored several times, most recently in 1970.[1]
Remains in Presinge
Roman villa at Cara. Villa from the late 1st or early 2nd century, of which fragments of painted walls and a mosaic were uncovered.[1]
Romanesque foundations of the church. The church of Saint-Félix, only mentioned in 1304, stands on Romanesque foundations.[1]
Sources
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Presinge » (Fabia Christen), version du 25.03.2020
- Commune de Presinge, « Présinge découverte », rubrique Hier
- Office cantonal de la statistique (OCSTAT), Mémento statistique du canton de Genève 2026, tableau Population résidante par commune, en 2025
Localities of the municipality with a page
Other villages near Presinge
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