Ropraz

Origin of the name Ropraz

First written mention: «Rospraz» in 1234. The etymology of the name is not explained in the sources consulted.

Founding of Ropraz

The sources consulted give neither a founding date nor a founder. The village appears in 1234, when Guillaume de Goumoëns granted his peasants rights to use wood in the Jorat. Ropraz at first formed a single unit with Vulliens, from which it separated around 1300. The commune comprises the village of Ropraz, with the quarters of Bourg-du-Milieu and Bourg-Dessous, and the hamlets of Vers-chez-les-Rod and Les Ussières.

History of Ropraz

1234. First mention in the form «Rospraz»; Guillaume de Goumoëns grants the peasants rights to use wood in the Jorat.

1282. Mention of a chapel; in church matters Ropraz at first depends on Vulliens.

around 1300. Ropraz separates from Vulliens and then passes to various lords.

early 15th century. The seigneury is in the hands of the de Bonvillars and de Fernex families.

1419. The seigneury passes to the de Glâne.

1432. The village has 9 hearths (households).

1536. Start of Bernese rule; Ropraz is part of the bailiwick of Moudon until 1798. After the Reformation, the village belongs to the parish of Mézières.

mid-16th century. The seigneury belongs to the Griset de Forel and the Sordet.

early 17th century. The Clavel acquire the seigneury.

1648. A school exists in the village.

1668. The Clavel reunite the seigneury, which they keep until 1798, with seats at Bourg-Dessous and Les Ussières.

1683. The village has 18 hearths (households).

1761. Rebuilding of the chapel.

1796. Ropraz frees itself from the dues and rights disputed since 1694.

1798. The commune is attached to the district of Oron, until 2006.

1846-1849. Ropraz is temporarily attached to the parish of Montpreveyres.

1883. Founding of a cheese dairy cooperative.

2000. Now mainly residential, the village still has 13 farms.

2003. Creation of a commercial zone at Les Ussières.

2008. The district of Broye-Vully, created by the new Vaud territorial division, begins operating on 1 January.

Population of Ropraz

Population of Ropraz

1432	9 hearths (households)
1683	18 hearths (households)
1803	258 inhabitants
1850	346 inhabitants
1900	292 inhabitants
1950	237 inhabitants
2000	373 inhabitants
2025	535 inhabitants

Historic sites in Ropraz

The chapel (temple) of Ropraz. A chapel is mentioned in 1282; it was rebuilt in 1761. It is said to contain a pulpit from 1674 and coats of arms painted in 1764 (to be cross-checked).

Les Ussières. Hamlet where the Clavel family, lords of Ropraz from 1668 to 1798, had one of their seats. A castle built in the mid-17th century stands there (to be cross-checked). A commercial zone was created there in 2003.

Bourg-Dessous. Quarter of the village which, together with Les Ussières, was the seat of the Clavel seigneury from 1668 to 1798.

Sources

• Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Ropraz » (version allemande)
• Statistique Vaud, « Population résidante permanente au 31 décembre 2025 »
• Wikipédia, « Districts du canton de Vaud »
• Wikipédia, « Ropraz »

Other villages near Ropraz

• Corcelles-le-Jorat (VD)
• Carrouge (VD)
• Vucherens (VD)
• Hermenches (VD)
• Peney-le-Jorat (VD)