Villars-Epeney
Origin of the name Villars-Epeney
First mentioned in 1177 as «Espiney», which then referred to the stream; the hamlet itself is only attested in 1549, as «Villars-Espiney». It was also formerly called Villars-Roulier, after a local family. The name combines Late Latin «villare» (estate) and Latin «spinetum» (thorn thicket); the 1928 coat of arms accordingly shows a thorn branch.
Founding of Villars-Epeney
None of the sources consulted names a founder. In the Middle Ages the lands of Villars-Epeney belonged to the Cistercian abbey of Hautcrêt, which had a grange there, and to the hospice of the Great St Bernard. In 1536 the rights to the forest of Espiney passed to the city of Bern. The Bernese attached the hamlet to Yvonand, then made it a municipality in 1765. Villars-Epeney always belonged to the parish of Yvonand.
History of Villars-Epeney
1177. First mention, «Espiney» (the stream).
Middle Ages. The lands belong to the Cistercian abbey of Hautcrêt, which owns a grange here, and to the hospice of the Great St Bernard.
1532. Yvonand, to whose parish Villars-Epeney belongs, abolishes the Catholic Mass.
1536. The rights to the forest of Espiney pass to the city of Bern; the hamlet then becomes part of the bailiwick of Yverdon.
1549. First mention of the hamlet, «Villars-Espiney».
1765. The Bernese make Villars-Epeney a municipality.
1798-2006. Villars-Epeney is part of the district of Yverdon.
1928. Adoption of the municipal arms: Or, a thorn branch vert in bend.
2008. The municipality is part of the district of Jura-Nord vaudois, which came into force on 1 January 2008.
Population of Villars-Epeney
| 1764 | 51 |
| 1798 | 40 |
| 1850 | 62 |
| 1900 | 51 |
| 1950 | 50 |
| 1970 | 27 |
| 2000 | 50 |
| 2025 | 109 |
Historic sites in Villars-Epeney
The hamlet. A dozen houses on a wooded hill above the valley of the Epeney stream, between the Mentue and the southern shore of Lake Neuchâtel. The site is listed in the ISOS inventory as a site of regional significance (to be cross-checked).
Sources
- Historisches Lexikon der Schweiz, « Villars-Epeney »
- Feuille des avis officiels du canton de Vaud, « Alphabet des communes vaudoises : Villars-Epeney »
- Wikipédia, « Villars-Épeney »
- Wikipedia (en), « Villars-Epeney »
- Wikipédia, « Districts du canton de Vaud »
- Statistique Vaud, « Population résidante permanente au 31 décembre 2025 »
Other villages near Villars-Epeney
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