Bottens

Origin of the name Bottens

The name appears in 1142 as «Botens». An earlier mention, in 1107 in a deed of the priory of Saint-Sulpice, is reported by other sources (to be cross-checked). The etymology is not explained; a local source attributes a Burgundian sound to it (to be cross-checked).

Founding of Bottens

Roman remains were found in 1854 in the upper part of the village. In the 12th century Bottens was a fief of the Bishop of Lausanne, enfeoffed to the lords of Bottens; the first known lord is said to be Wido, around 1107-1113 (to be cross-checked). The lords owned a castle on the slope between Bottens and Malapalud. The sources consulted say nothing more about how or by whom the village was created.

History of Bottens

Roman period. Roman remains, discovered in 1854 in the upper part of the village.

around 1107. First reference to the village according to local sources, in a deed of the priory of Saint-Sulpice; Wido is said to be the first known lord (to be cross-checked).

1142. Mentioned as «Botens».

12th century. Bottens is a fief of the Bishop of Lausanne enfeoffed to the lords of Bottens, and a parish depending on the abbey of Montheron.

1342-1354. Girard de Montfaucon acquires most of Bottens and incorporates the castellany into his lordship of Échallens.

1416. Bottens has 33 hearths (households).

1475. The castle is destroyed by fire (by the Confederates according to one source; to be cross-checked). Bottens belongs to the common bailiwick of Orbe and Échallens until 1798; the village is run by the assembly of burghers.

16th century. Bottens does not fully adopt the Reformation and becomes a mixed parish: a Catholic parish and an annex of the Protestant parish of Poliez-le-Grand, the church serving both denominations.

1555. The lords of Russin, successors of the Bottens, sell their property to François Panchaud.

1599. The sanctuary is dedicated to Saint Claude, then to Saint Stephen in 1665.

17th century. The lordship is bought by the Polier family of Lausanne.

1711. Extensive restoration of the old sanctuary (works from 1711 to 1713 according to a local source).

1798. Bottens belongs to the district of Échallens until 2007.

1843. Construction of the Catholic church by the architect Henri Perregaux.

1847-1965. A Free Church congregation exists.

1904. The old sanctuary is reserved for Protestants.

1930-1935. Partial land consolidation; agriculture dominates until after the Second World War.

1975-1985. Thanks to its proximity to Lausanne, the municipality attracts several companies.

2001. The Catholic church of Saint-Étienne is listed as a historic monument.

2002. Opening of a TL bus line to Lausanne, followed by strong population growth.

2008. Under the new Vaud territorial division, Bottens becomes part of the Gros-de-Vaud district.

Population of Bottens

Population of Bottens

1416	33 hearths (households)
1453	19 hearths (households)
1764	41 hearths (households), of which 33 Catholic
1850	464
1870	529
1900	422
1950	400
1970	424
2000	917
2025	1'389

Historic sites in Bottens

Catholic church of Saint-Étienne. Built from 1843 to 1848 by the architect Henri Perregaux, it is one of the first Gothic Revival buildings in the canton of Vaud and houses works by the painter Louis Rivier. It has been listed as a historic monument since 2001.

Protestant church. Old sanctuary attested in the 12th century, dedicated to Saint Claude in 1599 and then to Saint Stephen in 1665, heavily restored in 1711. Long shared by Catholics and Protestants, it has been reserved for Protestants since 1904.

School. School building of 1845-1846, designed by Henri Perregaux and Achille de La Harpe.

Remains in Bottens

Bottens Castle. The castle of the lords of Bottens stood on the slope between Bottens and Malapalud; its walls are said to have been about four metres thick (to be cross-checked). It burned down in 1475. In the early 20th century its last stones were reportedly used to build the inn at Poliez-le-Grand (to be cross-checked).

Roman remains. Roman remains were discovered in 1854 in the upper part of the village.

Legends of Bottens

The Ruffan and the Truffian. The inhabitants are nicknamed «lè Ruffan» and «lè Truffian» in patois; the second is said to refer to the potato, the village's staple food.

Sources

• Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Bottens »
• Feuille des avis officiels du canton de Vaud, « Alphabet des communes vaudoises : Bottens »
• Swisscastles, « Le château de Bottens »
• Wikipédia, « Bottens »
• Wikipedia (en), « Bottens »
• Wikipédia, « Districts du canton de Vaud »
• Statistique Vaud, « Population résidante permanente au 31 décembre 2025 »

Other villages near Bottens

• Poliez-le-Grand (VD)
• Poliez-Pittet (VD)
• Froideville (VD)
• Bretigny-sur-Morrens (VD)
• Villars-Tiercelin (VD)