Bretigny-sur-Morrens
Origin of the name Bretigny-sur-Morrens
The village is mentioned in 1224 in the form «Britignie». The etymology of the name is not explained by the sources consulted.
Founding of Bretigny-sur-Morrens
The sources consulted do not say when or by whom the village was founded. It appears in written records in 1224. In the Middle Ages the lords of Bottens held a fief there, which they had received from the lords of Cossonay; by the end of the 15th century this fief belonged to the lords of Russin.
History of Bretigny-sur-Morrens
1224. First mention of the village, in the form «Britignie».
Middle Ages. The lords of Bottens hold a fief at Bretigny, held from the lords of Cossonay.
late 15th century. The fief belongs to the lords of Russin.
1536-1798. Under Bernese rule the village is part of the bailiwick of Lausanne and falls under that town's jurisdiction: it sends a member to the «justice de Montheron». It is run by the assembly of commune citizens.
around 1733. A house for divine service, with a bell, is built; the village always belonged to the parish of Morrens.
1798. Bretigny is attached to the district of Echallens.
1806. The communal house is built, housing the school, oven and cheese dairy.
1957. Land consolidation.
from 1960. Strong population growth: the village becomes a residential municipality of the Lausanne conurbation and gains jobs in the secondary and tertiary sectors.
2008. New Vaud districts: Bretigny-sur-Morrens moves from the district of Echallens to the district of Gros-de-Vaud (1 January).
Population of Bretigny-sur-Morrens
| 1764 | 125 inhabitants |
| 1798 | 177 inhabitants |
| 1850 | 200 inhabitants |
| 1900 | 212 inhabitants |
| 1950 | 196 inhabitants |
| 1960 | 175 inhabitants |
| 2000 | 563 inhabitants |
| 2010 | 724 inhabitants |
| 2025 | 893 inhabitants |
Historic sites in Bretigny-sur-Morrens
Communal house (1806). Built in 1806, it brought together under one roof the village school, oven and cheese dairy. The municipality presents it as its main curiosity.
House for divine service. Around 1733 the village acquired a house for divine service, with a bell, although it always belonged to the parish of Morrens.
Hamlet of Béthusy and Chalet-à-Marin farm. Besides the village, the municipality includes the hamlet of Béthusy and the Chalet-à-Marin farm.
Legends of Bretigny-sur-Morrens
The «Chèvres» (goats). According to tradition, the inhabitants of Bretigny are nicknamed the «Chèvres» (goats; «lè Tchîvrè» in Vaud patois). The origin of this nickname is not explained by the sources consulted.
Sources
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Bretigny-sur-Morrens »
- Wikipédia (français), « Bretigny-sur-Morrens »
- Wikipedia (anglais), « Bretigny-sur-Morrens »
- Commune de Bretigny-sur-Morrens, page Présentation
- Wikipédia, « Districts du canton de Vaud »
- Statistique Vaud, « Population résidante permanente au 31 décembre 2025 »
Other villages near Bretigny-sur-Morrens
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