Chanéaz

Origin of the name Chanéaz

The first written mention of the place dates from 1184, in the old form "Chafneya". This form is sometimes linked to the term designating the oak tree, which would suggest an origin of the name related to the presence of an oak grove. This precise etymological interpretation is to be cross-checked, as it rests on only a single source consulted.

Founding of Chanéaz

No official founding act is known for Chanéaz. The village appears as a small rural locality of the Jorat plateau, in the Gros-de-Vaud, first mentioned in 1184. During the Middle Ages, its seigneury was united with that of Donneloye, which indicates an origin linked to the regional seigneurial organization rather than a planned foundation by an identifiable person or institution. The village developed as a clustered agricultural hamlet, set on a slope gently inclined to the west in the molasse hills of the northern Vaud Jorat, with a small territorial enclave between the villages of Correvon and Vuissens.

History of Chanéaz

1184. First written mention of the place, in the form "Chafneya".

Middle Ages. The seigneury of Chanéaz is united with that of Donneloye.

1536. Bernese conquest of the Pays de Vaud. Chanéaz is incorporated into the bailiwick of Yverdon, under the authority of Berne.

1597. The neighbouring château of Donneloye passes into the hands of a certain Marguerite de Chanéaz, a member of a family bearing the village's name. This fact, drawn from a single source, is to be cross-checked.

1604. The seigneury passes to Peterman d'Erlach. This detail, drawn from a single source, is to be cross-checked.

1652-1798. After passing through the Vallier and de Roll families, the seigneury belongs to the de Loys family. This detail, drawn from a single source, is to be cross-checked.

1798. End of the Bernese regime and independence of the Pays de Vaud, which becomes a canton. Chanéaz is attached to the district of Yverdon, where it will remain until 2006.

2006. Reorganization of the Vaud districts. Chanéaz joins the new district of Jura-Nord vaudois.

1 January 2013. Chanéaz merges with Chapelle-sur-Moudon, Correvon, Denezy, Martherenges, Neyruz-sur-Moudon, Peyres-Possens, Saint-Cierges and Thierrens to form the new municipality of Montanaire, whose chief town is Thierrens, located in the district of Gros-de-Vaud. Three independent, cross-checked sources confirm this date of 1 January 2013 as the date the merger came into effect.

Population of Chanéaz

Population of Chanéaz

1764	80
1798	117
1850	149
1888	159
1900	132
1950	103
1970	61
2000	87
2007	108
2012	107

Historic sites in Chanéaz

Former church, now a school. The village's former religious building was converted into a school building and is listed as a historic monument. Its bell tower is said to house a bell dated 1670; this detail, drawn from a single source, is to be cross-checked. The Reformed worship of Chanéaz now falls under the parish of Donneloye.

The Grand Bois and the highest point. The highest point of the former municipality's territory lies at 815 metres above sea level, at the place called Grand Bois. In 1997, forests covered about 27% of the municipal territory, agriculture about 69%, and built or buildable areas about 4%, reflecting the essentially agricultural and forested character of the village.

Remains in Chanéaz

1670 bell. A bell dated 1670 is said to be kept in the bell tower of the former church, now integrated into the village's school building. This information rests on a single source consulted and is therefore to be cross-checked. No other archaeological remains (Roman, medieval or other) are currently documented for Chanéaz in the sources consulted.

Sources

• Dictionnaire Historique de la Suisse - Chanéaz (version française)
• Historisches Lexikon der Schweiz - Chanéaz (version allemande)
• Wikipédia - Chanéaz (français)
• Wikipedia - Chanéaz (allemand)
• Wikipédia - Thierrens
• Wikipédia - Correvon
• Wikipédia - Donneloye
• Site officiel de la commune de Montanaire

Other villages near Chanéaz

• Prahins (VD)
• Correvon (VD)
• Bioley-Magnoux (VD)
• Démoret (VD)
• Ogens (VD)