Sézegnin
Origin of the name Sézegnin
The village is named in 1260 among the villages of the Champagne entrusted to the priory of Saint-Victor. Neither an old form of the name nor an etymology is known. The inhabitants are reportedly called Sézemaniens.[2]
Founding of Sézegnin
The place has been occupied since Antiquity. A villa of the High Empire, identified by aerial photography to the north-east, probably gave way to a rural estate next to a large cemetery at the place called Sur le Moulin, used from the late 4th to the early 8th century. According to the study of this cemetery, Sézegnin may then have had 120 to 170 inhabitants. The village appears in 1260 among the villages of the Champagne where the Count of Genève recognised the seigneurial rights of the priory of Saint-Victor.[1][2]
History of Sézegnin
High Empire. A Roman villa, identified by aerial photography, stands north-east of the site of the later cemetery.[1]
Late 4th-early 8th century. A cemetery of at least 1'000 graves is used at Sur le Moulin, next to a rural estate that probably succeeded the villa. Sézegnin may have had 120 to 170 inhabitants.[1]
1260. Amadeus II, Count of Genève, recognises the priory of Saint-Victor's enjoyment of seigneurial rights in villages of the Champagne, including Avusy, Athenaz and Sézegnin, keeping only high justice for himself.[2]
1754. After the Treaty of Turin, the villages of Avusy, Athenaz and Sézegnin are allowed to unite in a single parish.[3]
Late 19th century. The Sur le Moulin cemetery is reported.[1]
1973-1979. Systematic excavation of the cemetery, of which 710 graves were preserved. It is then destroyed by a gravel pit.[1]
1976. Discovery of the rural estate next to the cemetery, excavated in 1982: a main building and domestic or craft structures, some partly sunken.[1]
1980. The village is listed in the Federal Inventory of Swiss Heritage Sites of national importance (ISOS).[4]
2021. In the ISOS update for Genève, Sézegnin is removed from the inventory, as the village had not developed in line with the qualities identified by the Confederation.[4]
Historic sites in Sézegnin
Sur le Moulin cemetery. Cemetery from the late 4th to the early 8th century, which probably held at least 1'000 graves. Excavated from 1973 to 1979, it disappeared with a gravel pit. Its study focused on burial customs linked to Christianisation and on the population.[1]
Le Colombier. Place where another ancient cemetery is reported.[1]
Athenaz and Avusy. Neighbouring villages of the same municipality, linked with Sézegnin in the grant of 1260 and in the single parish of 1754.[2][3]
Legends of Sézegnin
Le renfort de Sézegnin. According to tradition, during the Escalade of 1602 the village of Sézegnin sent a reinforcement of three or four men, who arrived after the fighting. This is said to be the origin of the Genevan expression « renfort de Sézegnin » for modest, late help.
Sources
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Sézegnin » (Béatrice Privati), version du 25.11.2011
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Avusy » (Catherine Santschi), version du 08.09.2009
- Commune d'Avusy, « L'histoire d'Avusy »
- République et canton de Genève, « Mise à jour de l'Inventaire fédéral des sites construits d'importance nationale à protéger en Suisse (ISOS) pour les cantons de Genève et des Grisons », 23.03.2021
- Office cantonal de la statistique (OCSTAT), Mémento statistique du canton de Genève 2026, tableau Population résidante par commune, en 2025
- geo.admin.ch, service de recherche de swisstopo (Sézegnin, Avusy, coordonnées)
Other villages near Sézegnin
Missing information, or do you have a source? Suggest a correction or addition. Every submission is checked before it's published.
Suggest a change