Denens

Origin of the name Denens

First mentioned in 1005 as «Disnens», in a parchment of the monastery of Romainmôtier dated 3 March 1005. Later forms are «Disnens» (1177), «Dignens» (1216), «Digneins» (1228) and «Dynens» (1453). According to a hypothesis by Muret (1914), the name comes from a Germanic personal name, «Diso» (to be cross-checked).

Founding of Denens

No founder is known. The village, attested from 1005, belonged to the lands of Vufflens-le-Château until 1300. The lordship of Denens then passed through several hands, including the Compey, the Tavel and the von Büren families. Vines have been grown here since the 11th century.

History of Denens

1005. First mention, as «Disnens», in a parchment of the monastery of Romainmôtier (3 March 1005).

11th century. Beginning of wine-growing in Denens.

1177. The church, dedicated to Saint Lazarus, is a parish church and belongs to the Great St Bernard.

1300. Until this date the village belongs to the lands of Vufflens-le-Château; the lordship of Denens then passes through several hands.

1370. Peronnette de Saillon, last heiress of Denens castle, marries Simon de Compey (to be cross-checked).

1453. The village has 20 hearths (households).

15th century. Construction of the present church.

1536. Bernese conquest; Denens belongs to the Bernese bailiwick of Morges and is run by the assembly of burghers. At the Reformation it becomes an annex of the parish of Vufflens-le-Château.

1798. Denens belongs to the district of Morges.

1920. Creation of the municipal coat of arms, when a medal was struck for mobilised soldiers, based on arms found on a document kept in the castle.

1940. The building of the cantonal road linking Denens to Morges contributes to the village's growth.

1970s. Two villa districts develop east and west of the village.

2005. Denens celebrates the millennium of its first written mention.

2008. The new Vaud districts come into force; Denens remains in the district of Morges.

Population of Denens

Population of Denens

1453	20 hearths (households)
1764	122
1850	269
1860	285
1900	225
1950	210
1960	189
2000	581
2025	748

Historic sites in Denens

Denens castle. Seat of the lordship of Denens, held notably by the Compey, the Tavel and the von Büren. Altered several times during the Bernese period, it has kept important parts of the old fortress.

Church. Church dedicated to Saint Lazarus, a parish church in 1177 belonging to the Great St Bernard; the present building dates from the 15th century. Since the Reformation it has been an annex of the parish of Vufflens-le-Château.

Remains in Denens

Parts of the old fortress. Despite alterations in the Bernese period, Denens castle retains important parts of the medieval fortress.

Legends of Denens

The scarecrows. Many scarecrows stand around the municipality; according to local tradition they ward off evil spells. A scarecrow competition, first held every two years and then every four or five years, keeps this custom alive (to be cross-checked).

The «Fouette-Grenouilles» and the «Choucas». The inhabitants are nicknamed «Fouette-Grenouilles» (frog-whippers), because they are said to have beaten the water of the ponds to silence the frogs at night, a nickname shared with Chevilly and Essert-Pittet. They are also called «Choucas» (jackdaws), a bird that appears on the coat of arms.

Sources

• Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Denens »
• Feuille des avis officiels du canton de Vaud, « Denens » (armoiries et historique)
• Wikipédia, « Denens »
• Wikipedia (EN), « Denens »
• Wikipédia, « Districts du canton de Vaud »
• Statistique Vaud, « Population résidante permanente au 31 décembre 2025 »

Other villages near Denens

• Bussy-Chardonney (VD)
• Vufflens-le-Château (VD)
• Lully (VD)
• Lussy-sur-Morges (VD)
• Villars-sous-Yens (VD)