Saint-Prex
Origin of the name Saint-Prex
The name recalls Saint Protasius, bishop of Lausanne attested around 652, who is said to have been buried at Saint-Prex in the mid-7th century. The place is mentioned in 885 in the Latin form «Sanctus Prothasius»; «Prex» is the local evolved form of Protais.
Founding of Saint-Prex
The site has been occupied since Roman times: Roman funerary structures have been found beneath the church, and a Merovingian cemetery of the 5th-6th centuries at Le Vieux Moulin. The village grew up around the tomb of Saint Protasius. In 1234 the cathedral chapter of Lausanne, lord of the place, had the village moved to the lakeshore and fortified, with a castle and a harbour: the birth of the present town.
History of Saint-Prex
Roman period. Roman funerary structures beneath the church.
5th-6th century. Merovingian cemetery at Le Vieux Moulin.
mid-7th century. Saint Protasius, bishop of Lausanne, is said to be buried at Saint-Prex.
885. First mention, as «Sanctus Prothasius».
1234. The chapter of Lausanne moves the village to the lakeshore and fortifies it, with a castle and a harbour.
1536. Bernese conquest; Saint-Prex is attached to the bailiwick of Morges and the Reformed parish of Etoy.
1764. The town has 295 inhabitants.
1850. The town has 528 inhabitants.
1911. Henri Cornaz founds the Saint-Prex glassworks.
1966. The glassworks joins the Vetropack group.
2000. The municipality has 4'210 inhabitants.
Population of Saint-Prex
| 1764 | 295 |
| 1800 | 162 |
| 1850 | 528 |
| 1900 | 882 |
| 1920 | 1'364 |
| 1950 | 1'507 |
| 2000 | 4'210 |
| 2010 | 5'139 |
| 2025 | 5'922 |
Historic sites in Saint-Prex
Fortified town. The town laid out in 1234 by the chapter of Lausanne on the lakeshore retains its plan and part of its fortifications.
Church. The church stands over Roman funerary structures and on the site associated with the tomb of Saint Protasius.
Glassworks. Founded in 1911 by Henri Cornaz, it shaped the town's industrial history.
Remains in Saint-Prex
Merovingian cemetery of Le Vieux Moulin. Necropolis of the 5th-6th centuries.
Roman funerary structures. Discovered beneath the church.
Sources
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Saint-Prex »
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Vaud »
- Statistique Vaud, « Population résidante permanente au 31 décembre 2025 »
Other villages near Saint-Prex
Missing information, or do you have a source? Suggest a correction or addition. Every submission is checked before it's published.
Suggest a change