Vuillonnex
Origin of the name Vuillonnex
Neither a dated first mention of the name nor its etymology is known. The site is also called « St-Mathieu de Vuillonnex », after the dedication of its church.[3][4]
Founding of Vuillonnex
Vuillonnex is a lost locality in the municipality of Bernex. Its site, at the place called Saint-Mathieu (route de Pré-Marais), lies between the Bernex hillside, which overlooks the Aire plain, and the Rhône. A Gallo-Roman road ran about 70 m to the south. A religious complex was founded here in the Carolingian period, with one church to the east and another to the west, surrounded by a cemetery. It is the oldest known church in the territory of Bernex, a first sanctuary of the early Middle Ages, dedicated to Saint Matthew. It is not known who founded it. Vuillonnex became the chief place of one of the eight deaneries of the diocese of Genève, and a settlement developed in several phases around the churches until the 15th century. After 1536 the church was abandoned in favour of the church of Bernex. It was destroyed in the 17th century. The name survives in the chemin de Vuillonnex, on the boundary between Bernex and Confignon. The swisstopo search service places the place name Vuillonnex in the territory of Confignon, some 400 m south of the Saint-Mathieu site.[1][3][4][5][6]
History of Vuillonnex
Gallo-Roman period. A Gallo-Roman road runs about 70 m south of the site of the future religious complex.[4]
9th century. First burials along a small path. A religious complex with two churches, one to the east and the other to the west, is founded in the Carolingian period. The oldest known church, a first sanctuary of the early Middle Ages, is dedicated to Saint Matthew.[4]
9th-11th century. First phase of settlement, of uncertain date: 9th-10th or 10th-11th century.[4]
Around 1000. The complex becomes the seat of the deanery of Vuillonnex, one of the eight deaneries of the diocese of Genève.[4]
1091. First mention of a dean in the archives. Most deans lived in the city as members of the cathedral chapter.[4]
11th-12th century. The eastern church, which becomes the parish church of Saint-Mathieu de Vuillonnex, is surrounded by a cemetery that grows from the 12th century.[3][4]
12th century. The church of Vuillonnex is the seat of a deanery of the diocese of Genève. The parish of Confignon belongs to this deanery.[1]
13th-14th century. Second phase of settlement around the churches.[4]
14th century. The deanery of Vuillonnex comprises 45 parishes and chapels.[4]
15th century. Third phase of settlement, not yet confirmed. The burial ground is used until the early 16th century.[4]
1536. The church of Vuillonnex is abandoned in favour of the church of Bernex.[4]
1590. A priest is appointed again.[4]
1600. The Catholic parishes of Bernex, Confignon and Vuillonnex are merged into one.[1][4]
17th century. The church of Saint-Mathieu is finally destroyed.[4]
1840. A first excavation precisely locates the parish church of Saint-Mathieu. The plot is then leased by the municipality.[4]
1984. First campaign of the cantonal archaeology service, directed by Jean Terrier, from March to November.[4]
1991-1993. Second campaign, in three stages, from March 1991 to September 1993: ruins of two churches and cemeteries.[4]
2018-2019. New excavations from 16 April 2018 to 11 September 2019, ahead of a housing project: graves, an extension of the eastern church's cemetery, post holes, grain silos and a ditch enclosing the settlement.[4]
Historic sites in Vuillonnex
Saint-Mathieu site. Location of the religious complex of Vuillonnex, at the place called Saint-Mathieu (route de Pré-Marais, municipality of Bernex). A mission cross now marks the site of the parish church.[4]
Remains in Vuillonnex
Churches and cemeteries of Saint-Mathieu. The excavations of 1984 and 1991-1993 uncovered the ruins of two churches, eastern and western, and their cemeteries. Those of 2018-2019 revealed graves and traces of a settlement (post holes, silos, a hut floor, a ditch).[3][4]
Sources
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Bernex » (Jacques Barrelet), version remaniée le 15.01.2026
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Confignon » (Jacques Barrelet), version remaniée le 10.08.2005
- République et canton de Genève, « Les fouilles de Bernex / Vuillonnex » (06.03.2019)
- Office du patrimoine et des sites, Service cantonal d'archéologie, Anne de Weck, Rapport d'intervention « St-Mathieu de Vuillonnex (deuxième partie) », campagne Bx03-02
- geo.admin.ch, service de recherche de swisstopo (Vuillonnex)
- geo.admin.ch, service de recherche de swisstopo (Saint-Mathieu, Bernex ; coordonnées)
Other villages near Vuillonnex
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