Giez
Origin of the name Giez
First mentioned in 1011 in the form «Gies», in a donation by King Rudolph III of Burgundy to the priory of Romainmôtier. Other old spellings are cited: «Gyz», «Giacum», «Gie» (to be cross-checked). None of the sources consulted explains the origin of the name.
Founding of Giez
The territory of Giez was already occupied in Roman times, as shown by the remains of a large villa, and then in the early Middle Ages (Burgundian graves). None of the sources consulted names a founder of the village. The place appears in 1011 in a donation by King Rudolph III of Burgundy to the priory of Romainmôtier. In the Middle Ages the lands of Giez belonged to the monasteries of Romainmôtier and Hautcrêt, as well as to a noble family de Giez from the 12th century, then to the de Pierre family from the 15th century. The church of Giez served as parish church for the inhabitants of Grandson until 1438. Under Bernese rule Giez came under the bailiwick of Grandson and was part of the lands of Montagny. The inhabitants bear the nickname Repètassi («lè Repétacî»), the Patched Ones.
History of Giez
Roman period. A large Roman villa stands on the territory of Giez; remains of it survive.
early Middle Ages. Burgundian graves bear witness to occupation of the site.
1011. First mention, «Gies», in a donation by King Rudolph III of Burgundy to the priory of Romainmôtier.
12th century. A noble family de Giez holds land in the village, alongside the monasteries of Romainmôtier and Hautcrêt; construction of the church (end of the century; some parts are said to date from its beginning, to be cross-checked).
14th century. Construction of a first castle.
1438. The Bishop of Lausanne releases the inhabitants of Grandson from the obligation to attend the church of Giez, which until then had served as their parish church.
15th century. The de Pierre family owns land in Giez.
1476. Charles the Bold sets up his camp at Giez to prepare the assault on Grandson; after his defeat by the Confederates, weapons, equipment and valuables are left behind.
late 15th century. Rebuilding of the castle.
Ancien Régime. Under Bernese rule Giez comes under the bailiwick of Grandson and is part of the lands of Montagny.
1635. Construction of the «Les Tourelles» house, with its hexagonal staircase.
1677. The church is partly demolished.
1798. Giez joins the district of Grandson, to which it belongs until 2007.
1845. The church is attached to the parish of Montagny.
1905. Adoption of the municipal coat of arms: azure, a key or in pale.
from the 1970s. Strong population growth thanks to a new district of detached houses west of the village, lived in mainly by commuters (more than two thirds of the working population in 2000).
2008. After the dissolution of the district of Grandson, Giez becomes part of the Jura-Nord vaudois district.
Population of Giez
| 1803 | 214 |
| 1850 | 294 |
| 1900 | 289 |
| 1950 | 211 |
| 2000 | 348 |
| 2022 | 448 |
| 2025 | 464 |
Historic sites in Giez
Church of Giez. Church built in the 12th century (end of the century; some parts may date from its beginning, to be cross-checked). It served as parish church for the inhabitants of Grandson until 1438, was partly demolished in 1677 and has belonged to the parish of Montagny since 1845. It is said to be dedicated to Saint John the Baptist; another source links it to Saint Peter, whose key appears on the municipal coat of arms (to be cross-checked).
Giez Castle. 14th-century castle, rebuilt at the end of the 15th century, with the character of a large fortified manor house.
«Les Tourelles» house. House next to the castle, dated 1635, recognisable by its hexagonal staircase.
Village listed in the ISOS. Giez appears in the Federal Inventory of Swiss Heritage Sites of national importance (to be cross-checked).
Remains in Giez
Roman villa. Remains of a large Roman villa on the municipal territory.
Burgundian graves. Early medieval burials discovered at Giez.
Traces of Charles the Bold's camp. Numerous fragments of weapons have been found at Giez, where the Duke of Burgundy camped in 1476. A pond laid out by the Burgundians to water their horses also survives.
Sources
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Giez »
- Feuille des avis officiels du canton de Vaud, « Alphabet des communes vaudoises : Giez »
- Wikipédia, « Giez (Vaud) »
- Wikipedia (en), « Giez »
- Statistique Vaud, « Population résidante permanente au 31 décembre 2025 »
Other villages near Giez
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