Romanel-sur-Lausanne
Origin of the name Romanel-sur-Lausanne
First mentions: « Romanel » in 1182, « apud Romanes » in 1184, « Romaneaus » before 1185 and « Petrus de Romanel » in 1220. The name is formed from the Latin personal name Romanus with the diminutive suffix -ellu or -ella. The addition « sur-Lausanne » is late and distinguishes the municipality from Romanel-sur-Morges.
Founding of Romanel-sur-Lausanne
Early medieval slab graves at La Tattaz and Le Ferrage bear witness to early occupation. The name, derived from a Latin personal name, suggests an estate linked to a certain Romanus, but no source states who founded the village or when. In the Middle Ages Romanel depended on the chapter of Lausanne.
History of Romanel-sur-Lausanne
early Middle Ages. Slab graves at La Tattaz and Le Ferrage.
1182. First written mention, in the form « Romanel ».
1184. Mention « apud Romanes ».
1220. Mention of a « Petrus de Romanel ».
1373. A chapel, probably dedicated to Saint Vincent, is attested; it depends on the church of Saint-Laurent in Lausanne.
1536. After 1536 the so-called chapter jurisdiction, to which Romanel belonged, passes into the hands of the people of Lausanne.
1717-1718. The chapel is rebuilt to plans by the Lausanne architect Guillaume Delagrange.
1764. Romanel still falls under the so-called chapter jurisdiction.
1803. Romanel becomes the chief town of the circle of Romanel.
1849. Romanel becomes a chapelry of the parish of Cheseaux.
1866. The church receives a new facade.
1874. Opening of the Lausanne-Echallens-Bercher (LEB) railway.
1879. The alkaline springs, known long ago and then forgotten, are rediscovered near the village and named « Source Providence ».
1900-1978. The alkaline spring « la Providence » is exploited industrially.
1930. Adoption of the coat of arms: gules, a fountain argent, a chief of the same.
1938-1979. The Henniez brand produces the Romanette lemonade on site with the spring water (dates to be cross-checked against the end of industrial exploitation in 1978).
1960. An agricultural municipality until then, Romanel subsequently sees a demographic and industrial boom.
1969. Election of the first municipal council (legislature).
1970-1980. Industries (bicycles, machinery, chemicals, electronics), trade businesses and large stores settle in Romanel.
Population of Romanel-sur-Lausanne
| 1803 | 218 |
| 1850 | 302 |
| 1900 | 305 |
| 1950 | 323 |
| 1970 | 1'173 |
| 2000 | 3'068 |
| 2025 | 4'331 |
Historic sites in Romanel-sur-Lausanne
Romanel church. A chapel is attested here in 1373, probably dedicated to Saint Vincent and dependent on the church of Saint-Laurent in Lausanne. The building was rebuilt in 1717-1718 to plans by Guillaume Delagrange, received a new facade in 1866 and was restored inside in 1929, then outside in 1952 and 1972.
Source Providence. Alkaline spring rediscovered in 1879 near the village and exploited industrially in the 20th century; it was used to make Romanette lemonade. The fountain in the municipal coat of arms recalls it.
Vernand forest. The inhabitants of Romanel once held the right of pannage (taking pigs to feed on acorns) in the Vernand forest.
Remains in Romanel-sur-Lausanne
Early medieval graves. Early medieval slab graves have been discovered at the places called La Tattaz and Le Ferrage.
Legends of Romanel-sur-Lausanne
Lè Buya-tsa, the « cat-washers ». The inhabitants of Romanel are nicknamed « Lè Buya-tsa » in patois, meaning « those who scald cats » or « the cat-washers ». According to tradition, a cat crept into a pile of dirty laundry for a nap and ended up being washed in the laundry cauldron.
Sources
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Romanel-sur-Lausanne »
- Wikipédia, « Romanel-sur-Lausanne »
- Statistique Vaud, « Population résidante permanente au 31 décembre 2025 »
Other villages near Romanel-sur-Lausanne
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