Le Mont-sur-Lausanne
Origin of the name Le Mont-sur-Lausanne
First written mention in 1237 in the form « Monte super Lausannam », meaning « the mount above Lausanne ». The article in the name generally indicates a locality formed after the 10th century.
Founding of Le Mont-sur-Lausanne
A refuge of undetermined date at the Châtelard and two early medieval cemeteries (one at Rionzi, the other at Champ Baron and Les Condémines) attest early occupation. Le Mont grew out of several hamlets on the southern slopes of the Jorat above Lausanne; in the Middle Ages it was divided into several small fiefs and depended on the bishop of Lausanne. No source names a founder.
History of Le Mont-sur-Lausanne
undetermined period. Refuge at the Châtelard.
early Middle Ages. Two cemeteries, one at Rionzi, the other at Champ Baron and Les Condémines.
1237. First written mention: « Monte super Lausannam ».
15th century. A fief belongs to the squires of Mont, then passes to the de Cojonay family and afterwards to the d'Arnay.
1536. Le Mont becomes part of the Bernese bailiwick of Lausanne.
1545. Le Mont becomes an outlying parish.
1571. A noble fief is recognised in favour of the d'Arnay.
1586. The Bergier succeed the d'Arnay and hold the lordship until 1798.
1590. Jaques Bergier builds the castle.
18th century. The municipality is run by a grand governor, a marshal and three minor governors (one per hamlet); for military service the inhabitants march under the banner of the Cité of Lausanne.
1795-1797. The dilapidated and too small chapel is demolished; the present church is built at Coppoz.
1798. End of the Bernese bailiwick; Le Mont joins the district of Lausanne.
1811. The parish receives a resident pastor.
1834-1835. Construction of the parsonage by the Lausanne architect Henri Perregaux.
1906. The village is linked to Lausanne by tramway (1907 according to another source, to be cross-checked).
1955. Inauguration of the Petit-Mont hall.
1960. The municipality, until then mainly agricultural, becomes residential and industrial: villa districts of Petit-Mont, Les Planches and La Perrause, industrial zones of Rionzi, Budron and La Clochatte.
1991. Inauguration of the new administrative and school centre.
2005. The International School of Lausanne settles in Le Mont; it has 600 pupils in 2007.
2024. Owing to its population growth, the municipality officially becomes a town under the definition of the Federal Statistical Office.
Population of Le Mont-sur-Lausanne
| 1764 | 514 |
| 1798 | 658 |
| 1850 | 1'000 |
| 1900 | 1'099 |
| 1950 | 1'383 |
| 1970 | 2'692 |
| 2000 | 5'182 |
| 2025 | 9'785 |
Historic sites in Le Mont-sur-Lausanne
Le Mont church. Built in 1796-1797 at Coppoz in place of the chapel of Saint-Jean-l'Évangéliste, demolished in 1795, probably to plans by Auguste Bergier. Its projecting facade tower may be inspired by the church of Morges. It was restored in 1927 by the architects Gilliard and Godet.
Bergier castle. Built in 1590 by Jaques Bergier, whose family held the lordship of Le Mont from 1586 to 1798. It burned down and its two towers were destroyed. One part still belongs to the Bergier family; the other was sold in 1832 to the Henneberger family.
Parsonage. Plain neoclassical building erected in 1834-1835 by the Lausanne architect Henri Perregaux.
Remains in Le Mont-sur-Lausanne
Châtelard refuge. Refuge of undetermined date at the place called Le Châtelard.
Early medieval cemeteries. Two cemeteries have been identified, one at Rionzi, the other at Champ Baron and Les Condémines.
Site of the chapel of Saint-Jean-l'Évangéliste. Before the Reformation a chapel dedicated to Saint John the Evangelist, a daughter church of Saint-Paul in Lausanne, stood near the present cemetery; having fallen into disrepair, it was demolished in 1795.
Sources
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Le Mont-sur-Lausanne »
- Wikipédia, « Le Mont-sur-Lausanne »
- Statistique Vaud, « Population résidante permanente au 31 décembre 2025 »
Other villages near Le Mont-sur-Lausanne
Missing information, or do you have a source? Suggest a correction or addition. Every submission is checked before it's published.
Suggest a change