Founex

Origin of the name Founex

First written mention in 1224 in the form « Fosnay ». The name is probably formed from a Latin personal name such as « Fusinus » and the place-name suffix of Celtic origin « -akos/-acum »: it would thus designate a former estate. The name is pronounced « foo-neh ».

Founding of Founex

The site was occupied in Roman times: a settlement has been identified at Le Gachet, where a milestone indicating the fourth mile from Nyon was also found, on the road along Lake Geneva. The medieval village then developed under the authority of the lordship, later barony, of Coppet, in the parish of Commugny; a foundation in 1273 is sometimes put forward (to be cross-checked). No specific founder is known. A confraternity of the Holy Spirit, attested from 1383, bears witness to an organised community of inhabitants.

History of Founex

Roman period. Roman settlement at Le Gachet; a milestone indicates the fourth mile from Nyon.

1224. First mention of the village in the form « Fosnay ».

1383. A confraternity of the Holy Spirit is attested.

1536-1798. Dependent on the barony of Coppet, Founex belongs to the Bernese bailiwick of Nyon; it is attached to the parish of Commugny.

1729. A council of six members and two governors is appointed.

1739. The first tavern opens.

1764. The hamlets of La Châtaigneraie and Le Gachet are joined to Founex (to be cross-checked).

18th century. Lawsuits between the Baron of Coppet and the community, which seeks autonomy.

1798. Founex becomes part of the district of Nyon.

1802. Founex joins the Bourla-Papey uprising.

1858. The Lausanne-Geneva railway line crosses the municipality.

1868. A railway halt opens.

1886. On 8 July phylloxera is detected in the village vineyards.

1893. Founex is a pioneer in the canton of Vaud, replanting its vineyards with American vines against phylloxera.

1898-1899. The Catholic church of Saint-Robert is built and blessed on 3 August 1899.

1908. An École nouvelle is founded near La Châtaigneraie.

1951. The school becomes a campus of the International School of Geneva.

after 1960. The farming village becomes a residential municipality.

2004. Founex station closes on 12 December.

Population of Founex

Population of Founex

1764	223
1850	246
1900	374
1950	536
1990	1'775
2000	2'648
2025	3'737

Historic sites in Founex

Church of Saint-Robert. Catholic church built in 1898-1899 on land donated by Baroness Double de Saint-Lambert, inaugurated and blessed on 3 August 1899.

La Châtaigneraie. Hamlet of Founex where an École nouvelle was founded in 1908; in 1951 it became a campus of the International School of Geneva.

Remains in Founex

Roman settlement and milestone at Le Gachet. At Le Gachet, remains of a Roman settlement have been uncovered, as well as a milestone indicating the fourth mile from Nyon (a Roman colony), a witness to the ancient road along Lake Geneva.

Sources

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

Other villages near Founex

• Coppet (VD)
• Commugny (VD)
• Chavannes-de-Bogis (VD)
• Tannay (VD)
• Crans (VD)