Villars-Burquin

Canton of Vaud · District: Jura-Nord vaudois · about 565 inhabitants in 2009, shortly before the 2011 merger

Part of the municipality of Tévenon

Origin of the name Founding Historical timeline Population over time Must-see historical sites Sources and references Nearby villages

Origin of the name Villars-Burquin

The first element of the name, « Villar(s) », comes from the Romance term « villare » (or « villaris »), which designated a rural estate, a group of farms or a hamlet. The origin of the second element, « Burquin », is on the other hand less certain: according to one source consulted, it would be a surname attached to the place; according to another, it would derive from a term of Flemish origin meaning « small farmer ». This question would deserve to be cross-checked by further local history studies. The name is attested in writing in the form « Villar » in 1403, then « Villars burquin » in the early 17th century (1601), and « Villarborquain » in 1694. Until the early 20th century, the place was commonly known locally by the name « Chez le Roy », after the name of a bourgeois family of the village; its inhabitants are still nicknamed today « les Roitelets ».

Founding of Villars-Burquin

No founding act or precise founder has been identified in the sources consulted: like many hamlets of the Vaud Pied-de-la-Côte, Villars-Burquin probably formed gradually during the Middle Ages around a small rural estate. It appears in the documents as depending, ecclesiastically and administratively, on the parish and the métralie of Fiez, itself incorporated into the bailiwick of Grandson between 1476 and 1798 (a bailiwick jointly administered by Berne and Fribourg following the Burgundian Wars). The village only becomes a distinct political municipality in 1844, through administrative separation from Fiez.

History of Villars-Burquin

1403. First known written mention of the place, in the form « Villar ».

1476-1798. The territory falls under the bailiwick of Grandson, as part of the métralie of Fiez.

1531. After the Reformation, the place remains attached to the parish of Fiez, but without its own religious service.

1601. The name is attested in the form « Villars burquin ».

1694. The name appears in the form « Villarborquain ».

1798. At the fall of the Ancien Régime and the creation of the canton of Vaud, the place has 183 inhabitants.

1798-2006. The village falls under the district of Grandson.

1844. Separation from the municipality of Fiez: Villars-Burquin becomes an independent political municipality.

1895. Inauguration of the village's temple (Reformed church), built on the western edge of the locality under the direction of the architect Isoz.

1897. The place becomes the seat of a parish vicariate, to which the localities of Fontanezier and Romairon are attached in suffragan status.

1910. Founding of the Cercle des amis du Pied-de-la-Côte, a regional society bringing together shooting, singing and theatre.

1917. Villars-Burquin becomes the seat of an autonomous parish.

1925. Official adoption of the municipal coat of arms, depicting a gold wren on two fir branches in saltire.

1953. Construction of an official rectory, which becomes a gathering place for local parish life.

1990. The parish of Villars-Burquin merges with that of l'Arnon.

2006. Dissolution of the district of Grandson; the municipality is attached to the new district of Jura-Nord vaudois.

2011. On 1 July, Villars-Burquin merges with the municipalities of Fontanezier, Romairon and Vaugondry to form the new municipality of Tévenon, ending its existence as an independent municipality.

Population of Villars-Burquin

183

1798

267

1850

302

1900

184

1950

138

1970

504

2000

565

2009

Historic sites in Villars-Burquin

The temple of Villars-Burquin. Reformed church inaugurated in October 1895, built of stone at the western end of the village under the direction of the architect Isoz. In 1897 it becomes the centre of a parish vicariate to which Fontanezier and Romairon are attached in suffragan status, then the seat of an autonomous parish from 1917.

The rectory. Building constructed in 1953 to house the parish's officiating priest and serve as a gathering place for local parish life.

The Battoir (threshing barn). Multi-purpose communal building constructed in the 19th century, which over time served several functions for the village: storehouse for the harvest, threshing floor for wheat, slaughterhouse, fire station, detention room and public toilets.

Sources

Other villages near Villars-Burquin

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