Vétroz
Origin of the name Vétroz
The name appears as « Vertriacum » in the 11th century, then « Vetro » in 1417. A form « Vetriaco » is also cited, but it is uncertain. Its origin remains uncertain: it may combine two Celtic roots and refer to the torrent that runs through the village.[1]
Founding of Vétroz
The place was part of the Conthey estate, which Sigismund is said to have given to the Abbey of Saint-Maurice in 515. From the 11th century the territory came under the counts of Savoy, then, from 1254, under the castellany of Conthey. A parish was probably created between 1146 and 1178, and the Abbey of Saint-Maurice kept a priory there from the 14th to the early 16th century. Vétroz long remained part of the municipality of Conthey. Who founded Vétroz is not known.[1]
History of Vétroz
515. The Conthey estate, which includes Vétroz, is said to have been given to the Abbey of Saint-Maurice by Sigismund.[1]
11th century. The territory comes under the counts of Savoy. Mentioned as « Vertriacum ».[1]
1146. Mention of a daughter chapel of Plan-Conthey. A parish is probably created between 1146 and 1178.[1]
Before 1215. The parish of Vétroz is merged with that of Plan-Conthey.[1]
1254. Vétroz comes under the Savoyard castellany of Conthey.[1]
14th century. A priory of the Abbey of Saint-Maurice exists at Vétroz, until the early 16th century.[1]
1417. Mentioned as « Vetro ».[1]
1475. After the conquest of Savoyard Valais by the Upper Valaisans, Vétroz comes under the governorship of Saint-Maurice.[1]
1798. Attached to the district of Martigny.[1]
1802. Attached to the district of Sion.[1]
1815. Attached to the district of Conthey.[1]
1862. Vétroz separates from Conthey and becomes a municipality.[1]
1875. The coat of arms is made official. Its two stars reportedly represent the two localities.
1900-1950. The draining of the marshes of the Rhône plain, in the first half of the 20th century, creates new farmland.[1]
1922. Construction of the present church, in neo-Romanesque style.[1]
1935. Vétroz becomes an independent parish again.[1]
1980. Start of strong population growth, linked to the proximity of Sion and the Conthey shopping area.[1]
2005. 73 % of the working population work outside the municipality, which has become mainly residential and keeps 170 hectares of vines.[1]
Population of Vétroz
Sources and references: [1][3]
| 1870 | 584 |
| 1900 | 761 |
| 1950 | 1'126 |
| 2000 | 3'691 |
| 2025 | 6'723 |
Historic sites in Vétroz
Parish church. Neo-Romanesque church of 1922, dedicated to Saint Mary Magdalene, on a religious site attested from 1146. It was reportedly designed by François-Casimir Besson.
Magnot. Second village of the municipality, which like Vétroz belonged to Conthey until 1862.[1]
Amigne vineyard. About 170 hectares of vines, where the municipality promotes Amigne, a native grape variety.[1]
Sources
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Vétroz » (Catherine Raemy-Berthod), version du 03.01.2015
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Conthey (commune) » (François Wiblé, Maurice Terrettaz), version du 11.08.2005
- Office fédéral de la statistique (OFS), STATPOP, chiffres provisoires au 31.12.2025, via citypopulation.de
- geo.admin.ch, service de recherche de swisstopo (Vétroz)
Other villages near Vétroz
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