Chevroux

Origin of the name Chevroux

First written mention in 1286 in the form «Chevroth». The hamlet of Ostende, which belongs to the municipality, was formerly called «Chevrottet». The origin of the name is not explained in the sources consulted; the municipal coat of arms, adopted in 1914, is a canting coat of arms showing a goat (to be cross-checked).

Founding of Chevroux

The site has been occupied since prehistoric times: about a dozen lakeside settlements from the Neolithic and the Bronze Age have been recorded along the shore, including Chevroux-La Bessime and Chevroux-Village. Roman graves have also been uncovered, and a fortified tower from the Early Middle Ages overlooked the lake. The sources do not say who founded the medieval village. Apart from ties of dependence on Vaumarcus Castle in the 14th century, Chevroux always belonged to the lordship of Grandcour.

History of Chevroux

Neolithic and Bronze Age. About a dozen lakeside settlements (pile dwellings) are established along the shore, including Chevroux-La Bessime and Chevroux-Village.

Roman period. Presence attested by Roman graves uncovered in the area.

Early Middle Ages. A fortified tower overlooks the lake.

1286. First written mention of the village, in the form «Chevroth».

14th century. Ties of dependence on Vaumarcus Castle; otherwise the village always belongs to the lordship of Grandcour.

1536-1798. Bernese period: the lordship of Grandcour is attached to the bailiwick of Avenches; Chevroux is governed by a Council of Twelve.

1733-1845. An assistant pastor lives in the village; Chevroux is a dependency of the parish of Dompierre-le-Grand, then of Ressudens, and has a consistory.

1770-1785. Heyday of the calico works (printed fabrics), which depend on the Fabrique de Cortaillod.

around 1780. Opening of the Auberge de l'Ours.

18th-19th centuries. The port handles a large volume of goods in transit.

1803-2006. Chevroux belongs to the district of Payerne.

1914. Adoption of the municipal coat of arms (to be cross-checked).

1970. Opening of the marina, one of the largest in Switzerland (950 berths), a substantial source of income for the municipality.

2008. The new districts come into force: Chevroux joins the Broye-Vully district.

2011. The Chevroux sites are among the Swiss pile-dwelling sites inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List (to be cross-checked).

Population of Chevroux

Population of Chevroux

1764	229
1850	365
1870	429
1900	367
1950	335
1980	276
2000	383
2010	403
2025	487

Historic sites in Chevroux

Chapel of Saint-Jean-Baptiste. Former place of worship of the village, a dependency of the parishes of Dompierre-le-Grand and later Ressudens; it bears the arms of Savoy.

The port. Port used for goods traffic in the 18th and 19th centuries, since 1970 one of the largest marinas in Switzerland (950 berths), with a boatyard.

Auberge de l'Ours. Inn recorded around 1780.

Remains in Chevroux

Lakeside settlements of Chevroux-La Bessime and Chevroux-Village. Among the twelve Neolithic and Bronze Age lakeside settlements recorded on the Chevroux shore; they are part of the 56 Swiss lakeside settlements on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Roman graves. Burials from the Roman period have been uncovered on the municipal territory.

Early medieval tower. A fortified tower from the Early Middle Ages overlooked the lake.

Sources

• Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Chevroux »
• Wikipédia, « Chevroux (Vaud) »
• Wikipedia (EN), « Chevroux, Switzerland » (coordonnées)
• Wikipédia, « Districts du canton de Vaud »
• Statistique Vaud, « Population résidante permanente au 31 décembre 2025 »

Other villages near Chevroux

• Grandcour (VD)
• Chesard (VD)
• Ressudens (VD)
• Missy (VD)
• Villars-le-Grand (VD)