Boussens
Origin of the name Boussens
The village is mentioned in 1177 as «Bussens». The etymology of the name is not explained in the sources consulted.
Founding of Boussens
The sources consulted do not say when or by whom the village was founded. Mentioned in 1177, Boussens has a parish church attested in 1228. In the Middle Ages the fief depended on the lordship of Cossonay; from 1581 to 1798 the lordship belonged to the de Saussure family, who had a castle built there.
History of Boussens
1177. First mention of the village as «Bussens».
1228. The church is attested as a parish church; it later reportedly belonged to the parish of Sullens (to be cross-checked).
Middle Ages. The fief of Boussens depends on the lordship of Cossonay.
1474. The village has 4 hearths (households).
1536. Bernese conquest: Boussens belongs to the bailiwick of Morges until 1798.
1581. The de Saussure family becomes lord of Boussens, until 1798.
1661. The village has 14 hearths (households).
1670. The de Saussure family has the castle built, in the second half of the 17th century.
1757. A municipal schoolhouse is built.
1764. The village has 118 inhabitants.
1798. End of Bernese rule; Boussens is then attached to the district of Cossonay, until 2007.
1980. From the early 1980s, new residential areas make the population grow strongly.
1985. The municipal building is inaugurated.
2000. The municipality has 743 inhabitants.
2008. Boussens joins the district of Gros-de-Vaud, created by the new territorial organisation of Vaud.
2025. The municipality has 1'016 inhabitants on 31 December.
Population of Boussens
| 1474 | 4 hearths (households) |
| 1661 | 14 hearths (households) |
| 1764 | 118 |
| 1850 | 158 |
| 1870 | 185 |
| 1900 | 147 |
| 1950 | 167 |
| 1960 | 137 |
| 1990 | 331 |
| 2000 | 743 |
| 2025 | 1'016 |
Historic sites in Boussens
Boussens castle. Built in the second half of the 17th century (in 1670) by the de Saussure family, lords of the place from 1581 to 1798.
Church. Attested as a parish church from 1228.
Legends of Boussens
The nickname «Frogs». The inhabitants, the Boussinois, are nicknamed the Frogs («lè Renaillé» in Vaud patois), as the area once had many marshes.
Sources
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Boussens »
- Wikipédia, « Boussens (Vaud) »
- Wikipédia, « Districts du canton de Vaud »
- Statistique Vaud, « Population résidante permanente au 31 décembre 2025 »
Other villages near Boussens
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