Saint-Barthélemy
Origin of the name Saint-Barthélemy
The place was first called Goumoens-le-Châtel: «castrum Gomoens» in 1097, «Gumuens li Chastez» in 1228. The present name comes from the chapel dedicated to Saint Bartholomew, mentioned in 1265 as «capellam sancti Bartholomei». It is said to have prevailed from 1518, when the lordship passed from the Goumoëns to Jacques de Pesmes (to be cross-checked). From 1803 the municipality is called Saint-Barthélemy-Bretigny.
Founding of Saint-Barthélemy
The village grew up around the castle of the lords of Goumoëns, vassals of the Montfaucon, who held it in 1097; its construction is attributed to Jacques de Goumoëns (to be cross-checked). A chapel founded in the 11th or 12th century by the monks of Romainmôtier is the origin of the present name (to be cross-checked). The hamlet of Bretigny, on the south bank of the Talent, forms the other core of the municipality.
History of Saint-Barthélemy
1097. The castle, «castrum Gomoens», belongs to the lords of Goumoëns, vassals of the Montfaucon.
11th-12th century. A chapel is founded by the monks of Romainmôtier (to be cross-checked).
1228. Mention as «Gumuens li Chastez».
1265. Mention of the «capellam sancti Bartholomei».
late 13th century. The lordship is divided into two fiefs.
1475. The castle is set on fire by Bernese troops (to be cross-checked).
1476-1798. The village belongs to the common bailiwick of Orbe and Echallens.
1518. The lordship passes from the Goumoëns to Jacques de Pesmes; the name Saint-Barthélemy prevails (to be cross-checked).
16th century. The Reformation has little success in the village; the church serves both confessions (until 1801 according to one source; to be cross-checked).
1573. The church is rebuilt at Bern's expense.
1764. The village has 27 heads of household, 17 of them Catholic.
1798. Attached to the district of Echallens, until 2006.
1803. The municipality takes the name Saint-Barthélemy-Bretigny.
1862-1863. Construction of the neo-Gothic Catholic church.
1877. Major restoration of the castle.
1921. Adoption of the municipal coat of arms, a castle surrounded by scallop shells (to be cross-checked).
1946. The castle belongs to a centre for special needs education.
1953. Union of Bretigny and Saint-Barthélemy into a single municipality according to one source (to be cross-checked).
1997. Construction of a new complex of annex buildings at the castle (to be cross-checked).
2008. With the new territorial division of Vaud, Saint-Barthélemy becomes part of the Gros-de-Vaud district.
Population of Saint-Barthélemy
| 1764 | 27 heads of household, 17 of them Catholic |
| 1803 | 197 |
| 1850 | 262 |
| 1900 | 262 |
| 1950 | 328 |
| 2000 | 629 |
| 2010 | 751 |
| 2025 | 838 |
Historic sites in Saint-Barthélemy
Saint-Barthélemy Castle. Castle of the lords of Goumoëns, attested in 1097 and described as the oldest of their three seats. Probably rebuilt in the 13th century, set on fire in 1475 and altered in the 15th and 16th centuries, it was restored in 1877. Since 1946 it has belonged to a centre for special needs education (construction dates to be cross-checked).
Reformed church. Former chapel of Saint-Barthélemy, mentioned in 1265 and linked to the monastery of Romainmôtier (to be cross-checked), rebuilt in 1573 at Bern's expense; for a long time it served Catholics and Reformed alike.
Catholic church. Imposing neo-Gothic building erected in 1862-1863.
Hamlet of Bretigny. Hamlet on the south bank of the Talent, part of the municipality, which has been called Saint-Barthélemy-Bretigny since 1803.
Legends of Saint-Barthélemy
Les Agasses. The inhabitants are nicknamed «les Agasses», meaning the magpies in Vaud patois.
Sources
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Saint-Barthélemy (VD) »
- Feuille des avis officiels du canton de Vaud, « Alphabet des communes vaudoises : Saint-Barthélemy »
- Wikipédia, « Saint-Barthélemy (Vaud) »
- Wikipedia (en), « Saint-Barthélemy, Switzerland »
- Wikipédia, « Districts du canton de Vaud »
- Statistique Vaud, « Population résidante permanente au 31 décembre 2025 »
Localities of the municipality with a page
Other villages near Saint-Barthélemy
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