Penthaz

Canton of Vaud · District: Gros-de-Vaud · 1'910 inhabitants (31.12.2025)

Origin of the name Founding Historical timeline Population over time Must-see historical sites Remains Legends Sources and references Nearby villages

Origin of the name Penthaz

First mentioned in 1011 as «Penta», in a manuscript relating to a donation to the priory of Romainmôtier. The origin of the name is not explained by the sources consulted. In 2011 the municipality celebrated the millennium of this first mention.

Founding of Penthaz

The village lay on the Roman road from Lausanne to Orbe, of which a milestone survives; an early medieval necropolis and Burgundian burials also attest early occupation. No source names a founder. In the Middle Ages the lordship belonged for the most part to the Cossonay family, but the priory of Romainmôtier also held property there from 1011 at the latest, through a donation by King Rudolph III of Burgundy.

History of Penthaz

Roman period. The site is crossed by the Roman road from Lausanne to Orbe; a milestone from it survives.

Early Middle Ages. Early medieval necropolis.

1011. First mention, «Penta»: King Rudolph III of Burgundy gives property to the priory of Romainmôtier.

13th century. Construction of the church of Saint-Maurice.

1228. The church of Saint-Maurice is a parish church, with a daughter church at Boussens.

1536. After the Bernese conquest, Penthaz is attached to the bailiwick of Morges.

1589. The lordship passes to the de Charrière family, which holds it until 1798.

1794. Henri Charrière, lord of Penthaz, sells the castle to Antoine Philippe de Gingins (to be cross-checked).

1798. Incorporated into the district of Cossonay (until 2006).

1849. The parish of Penthaz is abolished; the church becomes a daughter church of Daillens.

1961. The church becomes a daughter church of Penthalaz.

1980. In the early 1980s the A1 Lausanne-Yverdon motorway triggers strong growth: industrial zones, villas and apartment blocks.

1985. A primary school opens.

1992. Inauguration of the archive centre of the Cinémathèque suisse.

2008. The new Vaud districts come into force: Penthaz joins the district of Gros-de-Vaud.

2011. The municipality celebrates 1'000 years since its first mention.

Population of Penthaz

26 hearths (households)

1416

26 hearths (households)

1550

223

1764

288

1850

259

1900

255

1950

897

1980

1'287

2000

1'910

2025

Historic sites in Penthaz

Temple (former church of Saint-Maurice). Church dating from the 13th century, a parish church from 1228 to 1849. The porch was added in 1816 and the building is a listed historic monument (to be cross-checked). The Roman milestone is kept under the porch.

Penthaz castle. Manor house from the second half of the 18th century, built by the lords of Penthaz of the de Charrière family, in a very plain style. The inhabitants still call it «le château» (to be cross-checked).

Archive centre of the Cinémathèque suisse. Inaugurated in 1992, it holds the collections of the Cinémathèque suisse; it is listed as a cultural property of national significance.

Venoge valley. The municipality extends along the left bank of the Venoge, whose wavy silver bend appears on the municipal coat of arms.

Remains in Penthaz

Roman milestone. Milestone from the Roman road from Lausanne to Orbe, found on municipal territory and kept under the porch of the temple. It appears as a golden column on the municipal coat of arms.

Early medieval burials. An early medieval necropolis (Burgundian burials) attests to the occupation of the village in that period.

Legends of Penthaz

The «Tartreux». The inhabitants are nicknamed «Tartreux»: according to popular tradition, the village was renowned for its tarts. The Tartreux festival takes place every year on the second weekend of June.

Sources

Other villages near Penthaz

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