Cronay

Origin of the name Cronay

First mentioned in 1142 in the form «Crosnai», then «Crosnay» in 1184; the form «Cronay» prevails from 1453. No source consulted explains the etymology of the name.

Founding of Cronay

No source consulted names a founder. Rock shelters in the area may have been inhabited in the Neolithic (to be cross-checked), and Burgundian graves containing damascened belt buckles attest occupation in the early Middle Ages. In the Middle Ages the lordship of Cronay depended on the estate of Saint-Martin-du-Chêne, whose castle of Castellion overlooked the village from the Signal hill. At the end of the Middle Ages the lordship was divided into three parts: that of Valangin, that of Combremont and that of Châtonay; the Châtonay part seems to have been joined in the early 17th century to that of the Bernese Manuel family. Under Bernese rule Cronay belonged to the bailiwick of Yverdon, with a seigneurial castellany court; the municipality was run by all the burghers together. Besides the village, the municipality includes the small hamlets of La Baumaz, La Crausaz and Planchamps. The inhabitants are nicknamed the «Corbeaux».

History of Cronay

early Middle Ages. Burgundian graves containing damascened belt buckles.

1142. First mention, «Crosnai».

1184. Mention in the form «Crosnay».

1255. Ulrich of Saint-Martin pays homage to Peter II of Savoy for Castellion castle, at the place called Au Signal.

1403. The Valangin part of the lordship is held by Jean de Vaumarcus (to be cross-checked).

1404. Wullième Uldriset brings the Châtonay part to Guillaume de Châtonay.

1453. The form «Cronay» prevails in the records.

16th century. With the Reformation the church, until then dedicated to Saint Maurice, becomes the centre of a Reformed parish comprising Cronay, the annex of Orzens and the villages of Oppens and Gossens.

1553. The Bernese Niklaus Manuel buys the Valangin part from the Count of Avy, husband of Isabelle de Challant, Lady of Valangin.

1608. Albert Manuel, avoyer (chief magistrate) of Bern, declares that he holds the estate of Cronay as a fief.

early 17th century. The Châtonay part seems to be joined to that of the Manuel family.

1777. Casting of the oldest of the church's four bells.

1798. The Robin family of Yverdon hold the Combremont part until this date; Cronay joins the district of Yverdon, to which it belongs until 2007.

1809. Construction of the school building (renovated in 1900 and 1939).

1843. The Genevan writer Rodolphe Töpffer inherits a house where he spent his summer holidays; in September he illustrates his «Voyage à la Grande-Chartreuse» there.

late 20th century. Farming declines because the holdings are too small; many inhabitants work in Yverdon.

2008. Cronay becomes part of the district of Jura-Nord vaudois.

Population of Cronay

Population of Cronay

1764	263
1850	561
1900	470
1950	328
1980	242
2000	308
2025	432

Historic sites in Cronay

Church of Cronay. Church dedicated to Saint Maurice before the Reformation, seat of a Reformed parish that also includes Orzens, Oppens and Gossens. It has four bells, the oldest dating from 1777.

House of Rodolphe Töpffer. House which the Genevan writer and draughtsman Rodolphe Töpffer inherited in 1843 and converted to accommodate the boarders of his school in summer.

School building. School built in 1809 and renovated in 1900 and 1939.

Village listed in the ISOS. The village, with its 18th and 19th-century farmhouses, is listed in the Federal Inventory of Swiss Heritage Sites.

Remains in Cronay

Castellion castle (Au Signal). On the Signal hill, west of the village, the remains of this important castle can still be made out; it was the seat of the estate of Saint-Martin-du-Chêne, for which Ulrich of Saint-Martin paid homage to Peter II of Savoy in 1255.

Burgundian graves. Early medieval burials that have yielded damascened belt buckles.

Sources

• Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Cronay »
• Commune de Cronay, « Notre histoire »
• Feuille des avis officiels du canton de Vaud, « Alphabet des communes vaudoises : Cronay »
• Wikipédia, « Cronay »
• Statistique Vaud, « Population résidante permanente au 31 décembre 2025 »

Other villages near Cronay

• Cuarny (VD)
• Gossens (VD)
• Donneloye (VD)
• Mézery-près-Donneloye (VD)
• Pomy (VD)