Chessel

Origin of the name Chessel

Name origin: the village is attested as « Chessey » in 1364; the forms « Chessez » in 1312 and « Chosel » in 1428 are also reported (to be cross-checked). The name is said to come from a personal name « Cassus » followed by the Celtic suffix -acum, meaning « estate of Cassus », the ending -el being a late development (to be cross-checked).

Founding of Chessel

The sources consulted say neither when nor by whom the village was founded. Traces of settlement from the Roman period or the early Middle Ages have been found beneath the church, whose foundations date back to the 10th century. Located on the right bank of the Rhône, Chessel belonged in the Middle Ages to the Savoyard castellany of Chillon; the Pontverre and later the Châtillon families held property there (to be cross-checked). Village life was long tied to the river: a ferry allowed people to cross it, and the upkeep of the dykes is documented from the 15th century.

History of Chessel

Roman period or early Middle Ages. Traces of settlement are found beneath the site of the church.

10th century. Date of the oldest foundations of the church of Saint-Nicolas.

1313. The village has 17 hearths.

1364. The village is mentioned as « Chessey ».

13th-14th century. The Romanesque church of Saint-Nicolas is built on the earlier foundations.

15th century. Upkeep of the Rhône dykes is documented from this period.

1475. After the Bernese conquest, Chessel is attached to the governorship of Aigle until 1798; it forms a métralie with a court of justice (to be cross-checked).

1528. The Reformation is adopted; Chessel becomes an annex of the Reformed parish of Noville.

1728. Chessel becomes an annex of the parish of Roche, until 1833 (to be cross-checked).

1798. Chessel joins the district of Aigle.

1839. Construction of the Porte du Sex bridge, which replaces the ferry over the Rhône.

1905. The Porte du Sex bridge is rebuilt.

1960s. A camping and caravan site opens, attracting new residents.

1975. A residential villa zone is created.

Population of Chessel

Population of Chessel

1313	17 hearths (households)
1338	24 hearths (households)
1356	5 hearths (households), approximately
1502	10 hearths (households)
1764	99
1798	129
1850	132
1900	167
1910	141
1950	202
1980	191
2000	314
2025	525

Historic sites in Chessel

Church of Saint-Nicolas. Romanesque church built in the 13th and 14th centuries on 10th century foundations, with a masonry spire and a 15th century fresco fragment. In 1528 it became an annex of the Reformed parish of Noville.

Porte du Sex bridge. Built in 1839 to replace the ferry used to cross the Rhône, then rebuilt in 1905.

Remains in Chessel

Ancient traces beneath the church. Traces of settlement from the Roman period or the early Middle Ages have been found beneath the church of Saint-Nicolas, whose foundations date back to the 10th century.

Sources

• Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Chessel »
• Wikipédia, « Chessel »
• Statistique Vaud, « Population résidante permanente au 31 décembre 2025 »

Other villages near Chessel

• Roche (VD)
• Rennaz (VD)
• Noville (VD)
• Corbeyrier (VD)
• Yvorne (VD)