Bougy-Villars
Origin of the name Bougy-Villars
First written mention in 996 as «in villa Balgedelco»; the vineyard donated that year is called «Bougel». The village was called «Bougy-Milon» from 1285 until the end of the 19th century, then Bougy; it took the name Bougy-Villars in 1953. The origin of the name is not explained by the sources consulted. The inhabitants are called the Bodzérans (the woodcutters in Vaud patois); their nicknames are the Fruitiers (cheesemakers) and the Sarrasins.
Founding of Bougy-Villars
No source consulted says who founded the village or when. Bougy appears in the records in 996 in connection with its vineyard: the vineyard of Bougel was then given to the priory of Romainmôtier, which received further donations in 1032, 1052 and 1118. In the 12th century the Bishop of Geneva, Arducius de Faucigny, ceded part of Bougy and its vineyard to the abbey of Bonmont. Wine has thus been at the heart of the village's history since its earliest mentions.
History of Bougy-Villars
996. First mention («in villa Balgedelco»); the vineyard of Bougel is given to the priory of Romainmôtier.
1032. New donation to the priory of Romainmôtier.
1052. New donation to the priory of Romainmôtier.
1118. New donation to the priory of Romainmôtier.
12th century. The Bishop of Geneva, Arducius de Faucigny, cedes part of Bougy and its vineyard to the abbey of Bonmont.
1285. The village is called «Bougy-Milon», a name it keeps until the end of the 19th century.
Bernese period. Bougy belongs to the bailiwick of Morges and depends on the castellany of Mont-le-Vieux (Essertines-sur-Rolle).
1764. The village has 151 inhabitants.
1798. Bougy becomes part of the district of Aubonne.
1837-1846. Bougy, attached to the parish of Perroy, temporarily belongs to that of Aubonne; again from 1863 to 1868.
19th century. A church is set up in a former cheese dairy.
1902. Construction of the Hôtel du Signal.
1953. The municipality takes the name Bougy-Villars.
1960. Adoption of a zoning plan.
1970. Migros becomes owner of most of the Signal site.
1971. Opening of the Pré-Vert public park, replacing the demolished Hôtel du Signal.
2000. The municipality has 370 inhabitants and remains largely wine-growing (Féchy appellation).
2006-2008. The law on territorial division, in force from 1 September 2006, abolishes the district of Aubonne; the municipality becomes part of the district of Morges, effective 1 January 2008.
Population of Bougy-Villars
| 1764 | 151 |
| 1850 | 304 |
| 1900 | 271 |
| 1941 | 218 |
| 1950 | 264 |
| 2000 | 370 |
| 2025 | 493 |
Historic sites in Bougy-Villars
Signal de Bougy and Pré-Vert park. The village is overlooked by the Signal de Bougy. The Hôtel du Signal, built in 1902, was demolished to make way for the Pré-Vert public park, opened in 1971; most of this vast leisure area has belonged to Migros since 1970.
Church in the former cheese dairy. 19th-century church set up in a former cheese dairy, topped by a bell tower.
Vineyards. The municipality, in the heart of the La Côte vineyards, remains largely wine-growing; its wines fall under the Féchy appellation.
Sources
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Bougy-Villars »
- Wikipédia, « Bougy-Villars »
- Wikipedia (anglais), « Bougy-Villars »
- Statistique Vaud, « Population résidante permanente au 31 décembre 2025 »
- Wikipédia, « Districts du canton de Vaud »
Other villages near Bougy-Villars
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