Cugy
Origin of the name Cugy
The place appears between 968 and 985 in the form «in villa Cuzziaco», then in 1147 as «Cusi». The etymology of the name is not explained by the sources consulted.
Founding of Cugy
The sources consulted do not say when or by whom the village was founded. It is attested as a «villa» (estate) from the second half of the 10th century. In the 12th century the Cistercian abbey of Montheron owned a grange (farm) there; in 1444 the abbot still held the whole tithe of Cugy.
History of Cugy
968-985. First mention, in the form «in villa Cuzziaco».
1147. The village is called «Cusi».
1163. The grange of Cugy belongs to the abbey of Montheron.
1394. Mention of a chapel of Saint-Jean-l'Evangéliste, a daughter chapel of the parish of Assens.
1444. The abbot of Montheron owns the whole tithe.
1545. The tithe passes to the Town of Lausanne.
1536-1798. Under Bernese rule Cugy is part of the bailiwick of Lausanne and in civil matters falls under the court of the Town of Lausanne. From the Reformation the village belongs to the parish of Morrens (an annex of Montheron).
1798. Cugy is attached to the district of Echallens.
1837. The school is built; it was converted into the communal house in 1974.
1906. Cugy is connected to the Lausanne tramway network.
1962. The «maison villageoise» (village hall) is built.
1972. The sewage treatment plant goes into service.
1974. The former school of 1837 is converted into the communal house.
1976. The Chavanne school is built; the municipal council (Conseil communal) replaces the general council (Conseil général).
1986. The ecumenical centre opens.
2008. New Vaud districts: Cugy moves from the district of Echallens to the district of Gros-de-Vaud (1 January).
Population of Cugy
| 1764 | 141 inhabitants |
| 1850 | 230 inhabitants |
| 1900 | 242 inhabitants |
| 1950 | 305 inhabitants |
| 1970 | 636 inhabitants |
| 1980 | 1'349 inhabitants |
| 2000 | 1'992 inhabitants |
| 2010 | 2'267 inhabitants |
| 2025 | 2'824 inhabitants |
Historic sites in Cugy
Communal house (former school of 1837). The school built in 1837 was converted into the communal house in 1974.
Ecumenical centre (1986). In the Middle Ages Cugy had a chapel of Saint-Jean-l'Evangéliste (mentioned in 1394), a daughter chapel of Assens; after the Reformation the village belonged to the parish of Morrens. The ecumenical centre opened in 1986.
Jorat woods. The village lies on the edge of the Jorat woods.
Legends of Cugy
The «Boucs» (billy goats). According to tradition, the inhabitants of Cugy, the Cugiérans, are nicknamed the «Boucs» (billy goats). The origin of this nickname is not explained by the sources consulted.
The «village in the middle of the world». The municipality presents itself as the «village du milieu du monde» (village in the middle of the world), because its waters flow both towards the Mediterranean and towards the North Sea, between the Rhône and Rhine basins (to be cross-checked).
The coat of arms. According to the municipality, the two wavy silver bars of the coat of arms represent the Talent and Mèbre streams, and the eagle recalls Saint John the Evangelist, patron saint of the village.
Sources
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Cugy (VD) »
- Wikipédia (français), « Cugy (Vaud) »
- Wikipedia (anglais), « Cugy, Vaud »
- Commune de Cugy, page Vivre à Cugy
- Wikipédia, « Districts du canton de Vaud »
- Statistique Vaud, « Population résidante permanente au 31 décembre 2025 »
Other villages near Cugy
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