La Coudre

Origin of the name La Coudre

The name comes from the hazel trees (coudriers), once numerous in the area. In 1583 the community bore the name «confrérie de la Couldraz». The hamlet's coat of arms, approved in 1933, shows a hazel branch. The inhabitants are called Coudrons or Condrons, formerly Caudrons.

Founding of La Coudre

La Coudre is not a municipality: it is a hamlet of the municipality of L'Isle, in the district of Morges, at an altitude of 840 m on the old road linking Morges to the Vallée de Joux. None of the sources consulted names a founder or a date of creation for the hamlet, but the site was frequented as early as the Bronze Age, as shown by remains of bronze casting. In the Middle Ages La Coudre belonged to the lordship of L'Isle, formed by the lords of Cossonay, who founded the small town of L'Isle in 1291-1292. On 3 November 1583 the inhabitants formed the «confrérie de la Couldraz», a legal body to manage their property and maintain the bread oven, which belonged to the Abbey of Lac de Joux, in return for a fee. La Coudre is today a «fraction de commune», that is, an administrative body that manages its property, with a village council and an executive council; its dissolution is under way.

History of La Coudre

Before La Tène. Remains of bronze casting at La Coudre.

1291-1292. The lords of Cossonay found the small town of L'Isle; La Coudre, together with Villars-Bozon, belongs to the lordship of L'Isle.

1583. On 3 November the inhabitants form the «confrérie de la Couldraz» to manage their property and maintain the bread oven of the Abbey of Lac de Joux, in return for a fee.

1606. A deed granting exemption from tolls names the «syndics gouverneurs et Communiers de L'Isle, Villars Bozon et la Coudre».

until 1660. The lordship of L'Isle supplies a large number of victims of the witch trials, among them Nicolarde Gollie, of La Coudre.

1758. The community of L'Isle pays 15 florins to the schoolmaster (régent) of La Coudre.

1796. When the harvest right is redeemed, a representative acts «pour La Coudre».

1885. Conditions are set for the construction of twelve fountain basins at L'Isle, Villars-Bozon and La Coudre.

1888. La Coudre ceases to be part of the parish of L'Isle.

1933. On 3 November the hamlet celebrates the 350th anniversary of its foundation; its coat of arms with the hazel branch is approved by the Council of State.

2025. On 11 December the village council accepts the principle of handing the fraction over to the municipality of L'Isle.

2026. On 16 June the village council votes for dissolution; on 17 June the municipal council of L'Isle adopts the agreement. The aim is completion on 1 January 2027, by decree of the Grand Council.

Historic sites in La Coudre

The hamlet and the old Vallée de Joux road. La Coudre lies at an altitude of 840 m, at the foot of the Jura, on the old road that linked Morges to the Vallée de Joux.

Cheese dairy. The hamlet has a cheese dairy, listed among the economic activities of the municipality of L'Isle.

«Fleur d'Épine» holiday camp. Holiday camp at an altitude of 950 m, in the Jura, above the hamlet (to be cross-checked).

Remains in La Coudre

Remains of bronze casting. Remains of bronze casting predating the La Tène period have been found at La Coudre; they attest to very early metalworking on the site.

Sources

• Commune de L'Isle, « La Coudre »
• Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « L'Isle »
• Commune de L'Isle, « La commune de L'Isle et ses alentours »
• Guy Bise, « Les secrets de son passé ; Les drames des Barbilles » (2009), publié sur le site de la commune de L'Isle
• Guy Bise, « Regard sur le passé » (2008), publié sur le site de la commune de L'Isle
• Guy Bise, « Histoire au coin du feu » (2011), publié sur le site de la commune de L'Isle
• Archives cantonales vaudoises (PANORAMA), AC L'Isle H 6, « Conditions pour la construction de douze bassins de fontaine à L'Isle, Villars-Bozon et La Coudre » (1885)
• Statistique Vaud, « Population résidante permanente au 31 décembre 2025 »

Other villages near La Coudre

• L'Isle (VD)
• Cuarnens (VD)
• Mont-la-Ville (VD)
• Villars-Bozon (VD)
• Moiry (VD)