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Villages / Valais / Hérens district / Saint-Romain

Saint-Romain

Canton of Valais · District: Hérens · About 190 inhabitants according to the municipality of Ayent (undated figure). The municipality has 4'509 inhabitants (31.12.2025, provisional FSO figure).
Part of the municipality of Ayent
Origin of the name Founding Historical timeline Population over time Must-see historical sites Sources and references Nearby villages

Origin of the name Saint-Romain

The hamlet bears the name of the Benedictine priory of Saint-Romain, attested in 1107, on whose site the parish church stands.[1]

Founding of Saint-Romain

Saint-Romain is the main village of the municipality of Ayent, in the district of Hérens, with its church and municipal hall. The place owes its importance to the priory of Saint-Romain, which depended on the abbey of Ainay in Lyon. It is the first known Benedictine foundation in Valais. After the priory came to an end, the parish church was built on its site.[1][4]

History of Saint-Romain

11th century. A church probably stands at Saint-Romain by the beginning of the century at the latest, and possibly even before the 10th century.[4]

1107. The priory of Saint-Romain, subject to the abbey of Ainay in Lyon, exists by this date at the latest.[1]

1379. In March, the priory of Granges is united with that of Ayent.[1]

1620. The priory is sold to the cathedral chapter of Sion.[1]

1859. The chapter of Sion disposes of the priory's assets.[1]

1862. The church of Saint-Romain is built on the site of the priory (from 1860 to 1864 according to another source).[1][2]

1981. The church is listed as a historic monument.[2]

Population of Saint-Romain

Sources and references: [4]

Population of Saint-Romain
Today190 inhabitants (undated municipal figure)

Historic sites in Saint-Romain

Church of Saint-Romain. Parish church of Ayent, on the Rue de l'Église, built in the 19th century in place of the priory. Together with its bell tower, it is listed as a B object in the inventory of cultural property.[1][2][3]

Municipal hall. Seat of the municipal administration of Ayent, located in the hamlet. Clustered around the bell tower, the village hosts the whole community of Ayent at festivals.[4]

Sources

  1. Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Ayent » (Danielle Allet-Zwissig, version du 08.09.2009)
  2. Anzère Tourisme, « Visit the church of St-Romain »
  3. Office fédéral de la protection de la population, « Révision Inventaire PBC 2021 : liste cantonale Canton du VS » (état au 1.1.2026)
  4. Commune d'Ayent, « Portrait de la commune »
  5. Office fédéral de la statistique (OFS), STATPOP, chiffres provisoires au 31.12.2025, via citypopulation.de
  6. geo.admin.ch, recherche de lieux (coordonnées)

Other villages near Saint-Romain

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