Lignerolle
Origin of the name Lignerolle
First mentioned in 1160-1164 as «de Lineroles», then «Linnierules», «Ligniroles» in 1282 and «Lignieroles» in 1453. The name comes from «lignière», a small flax field, recalling the flax once grown in the village.
Founding of Lignerolle
Lignerolle grew up on the slopes of the Suchet, along the old Jougne road that linked the Plateau with Franche-Comté. No source consulted names a founder. The village's origin is tied to its church: tradition places the foundation of a first sanctuary dedicated to St Vitus (Saint Vit, Saint Guy) between 760 and 840, and the present 13th-century church succeeds earlier buildings dating back to the 9th century (to be cross-checked). In the Middle Ages Lignerolle was part of the land of Les Clées; its regional importance shows in the fact that Nicolas, the village mayor, became lord of Ballaigues in 1302. The village grew up around the church and the 17th-century manor house. After the decline of the Jougne road, farming remained the main activity. The municipality includes in particular the hamlet of La Bessonaz, at an altitude of 1'090 metres.
History of Lignerolle
760-840. Presumed foundation of a first sanctuary dedicated to St Vitus (to be cross-checked).
1160-1164. First mention of the village, as «de Lineroles».
1228. The church of Saint-Vit is attested as a parish church.
1282. The name appears as «Ligniroles».
late 13th century. Construction of the present nave of the church of Saint-Vit.
1302. Nicolas, mayor of Lignerolle, becomes lord of Ballaigues: Lignerolle and Ballaigues form a lordship detached from the land of Les Clées, held by a vassal of Louis of Savoy. It later passes to the Champvent, Champion, Besson, Asperlin and finally Cerjat families.
1416. The village has 60 hearths.
early 15th century. Construction of the church choir.
1453-1475. After a fire, the nave of the church is vaulted and the west portal rebuilt; in 1453 only 40 hearths remain.
1536. Bernese conquest of Vaud: Lignerolle belongs to the bailiwick of Yverdon (until 1798); the commune is governed by a Council of Five.
1604. Lignerolle becomes a lordship separate from Ballaigues.
17th century. Construction of the manor house known as the château of Lignerolle.
1798. Under the Helvetic Republic, Lignerolle is attached to the district of Orbe (until 2006).
1803-1838. The village's stone fountains are built: the first in 1803, others in 1809, 1812, 1819, 1822 and 1838.
1928. The municipality adopts its arms, Or, a stag passant gules, recalling the de Cerjat family, lords of the place in the 18th century.
1950-1952. Complete restoration of the church of Saint-Vit; stained glass by Jean Gagnebin in 1952.
1980. Creation of a land improvement syndicate.
mid-1980s. The last anti-tank barrier built in Switzerland is constructed on the municipal territory, completing a set of small forts disguised as chalets and concrete obstacles («toblerones»).
1989. Opening of the A9 motorway, which relieves the village centre of through traffic (to be cross-checked).
2006. Dissolution of the district of Orbe: Lignerolle joins the district of Jura-Nord vaudois.
Population of Lignerolle
| 1416 | 60 hearths (households) |
| 1453 | 40 hearths (households) |
| 1764 | 218 (54 hearths) |
| 1850 | 306 |
| 1900 | 308 |
| 1950 | 244 |
| 1960 | 365 |
| 1980 | 262 |
| 2000 | 334 |
| 2020 | 435 |
| 2025 | 452 |
Historic sites in Lignerolle
Church of Saint-Vit. Attested as a parish church in 1228, it succeeds earlier sanctuaries. The nave dates from the late 13th century, the choir from the early 15th century; after a fire, the nave was given rib vaults and the west portal was rebuilt between 1453 and 1475. The bell tower dates from the 16th-17th centuries. Restored in 1950-1952, it has stained glass by Jean Gagnebin (1952).
Château de Lignerolle. 17th-century manor house at the heart of the village, around which the village grew up together with the church.
Heritage site of national importance. The whole village of Lignerolle is listed in the Federal Inventory of Swiss Heritage Sites of national importance (ISOS).
Stone fountains. A series of fountains built between 1803 and 1838.
La Languetine pasture. Pasture known for its sycamore maple, more than a hundred years old, already mentioned in geography textbooks of the early 20th century.
Remains in Lignerolle
Military fortifications. Forts and small forts disguised as chalets, once armed with guns and machine guns, and reinforced-concrete anti-tank obstacles («toblerones») survive on the municipal territory; the last anti-tank barrier built in Switzerland was erected here in the mid-1980s.
Legends of Lignerolle
The Pierre à glissoir. According to legend, barren women went to the Pierre à glissoir on certain nights in the hope of becoming fertile.
Sources
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Lignerolle »
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Ballaigues »
- Commune de Lignerolle, « La Commune »
- Feuille des avis officiels du canton de Vaud, « Alphabet des communes vaudoises : Lignerolle »
- EERV, paroisse de Ballaigues-Lignerolle, « L'église du village : quelle histoire ! »
- Wikipédia, « Lignerolle »
- Wikipedia (en), « Lignerolle »
- Statistique Vaud, « Population résidante permanente au 31 décembre 2025 »
Other villages near Lignerolle
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