Rovray

Origin of the name Rovray

First mentioned between 1403 and 1409 as «Roueraye». The name is said to come from «Rouvraye», meaning an oak grove (to be cross-checked). The hamlet of Arrissoules, united with Rovray in 2005, is mentioned from 1148 as «Arresules».

Founding of Rovray

None of the sources consulted names a founder of the village. Roman coins found on the territory may point to an ancient sanctuary. In the Middle Ages Rovray belonged to the lordship of Saint-Martin-du-Chêne, which also included Chêne, Pâquier, Arrissoules, Bioley-Magnoux, Molondin and other villages. Under Bernese rule (1536-1798) the village came under the bailiwick of Yverdon. Rovray and Arrissoules formed a single parish attached to Yvonand. On 1 January 2005 Arrissoules merged with Rovray, which kept its name. The inhabitants are nicknamed «lè z'Écové» (the oven swabs, bakers' brooms for the oven) and «lè Potai» (the coppersmiths).

History of Rovray

Roman period. Roman coins found on the territory may indicate an ancient sanctuary.

1148. First mention of Arrissoules, «Arresules», now part of the municipality.

Middle Ages. Rovray belongs to the lordship of Saint-Martin-du-Chêne.

1403-1409. First mention of Rovray, «Roueraye».

around 1448. A chapel dedicated to Saint Blaise is founded.

1536-1798. Under Bernese rule Rovray belongs to the bailiwick of Yverdon.

1588. The Saint Blaise chapel is rebuilt.

1753-1754. The church is rebuilt again; Arrissoules pays a third of the cost and contributes to its upkeep until 1956.

1798-2006. The village is part of the district of Yverdon.

1883. On 6 February a fire partly destroys Arrissoules; the school building is rebuilt afterwards.

1901. The writer Alice Rivaz (1901-1998) is born in Rovray.

1936. The Arrissoules school closes for lack of pupils; children then attend school in Rovray and later Yvonand.

1980. The youth society restores the two-hearth communal oven, lit every year for the bread festival.

2005. On 1 January Arrissoules merges with Rovray, which keeps its name; at that time only the primary sector provides jobs in the municipality.

2008. With the district reform the municipality joins the district of Jura-Nord vaudois.

Population of Rovray

Population of Rovray

1803	99
1850	183
1900	158
1950	96
2000	87 (Rovray only)
2025	198 (with Arrissoules)

Historic sites in Rovray

Church of Rovray (former Saint Blaise chapel). Chapel founded around 1448 and dedicated to Saint Blaise, rebuilt in 1588 and again in 1753-1754 with the participation of Arrissoules. The municipal coat of arms recalls Saint Blaise.

Communal oven. Communal oven with two hearths, restored in 1980 by the youth society and lit every year for the bread festival in late June or early July.

Arrissoules. Former municipality mentioned from 1148, united with Rovray in 2005, partly destroyed by the fire of 6 February 1883.

Remains in Rovray

Roman coins. Roman coins discovered on the territory may bear witness to an ancient sanctuary.

Sources

• Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Rovray » (version allemande)
• Feuille des avis officiels du canton de Vaud, « Alphabet des communes vaudoises : Rovray »
• Commune de Rovray, « Histoires et écrits : Rovray et Arrissoules »
• Wikipédia, « Rovray »
• Wikipedia (en), « Rovray »
• Statistique Vaud, « Population résidante permanente au 31 décembre 2025 »

Localities of the municipality with a page

• Arrissoules

Other villages near Rovray

• Chavannes-le-Chêne (VD)
• Chêne-Pâquier (VD)
• Arrissoules (VD)
• Molondin (VD)
• Champtauroz (VD)