Senarclens
Origin of the name Senarclens
First written mention in 1011 as «Senerclens»; «Sonarclens» is also found in 1228. The name is said to be formed from an unidentified Germanic personal name and the suffix -ingos, adopted in the Gallo-Roman area from the 6th century and evolving into -ens (to be cross-checked).
Founding of Senarclens
The area has been occupied since Roman times: remains of Gallo-Roman settlements have been found at En Verniaz, at Soveillame and at En Condémines (with a cemetery), as well as an early medieval cemetery at En Châtonnaires. The name, with its -ens suffix, suggests an early medieval settlement linked to a person of Germanic origin, but none of the sources consulted says who founded the village or when. A knight of Senarclens is mentioned in 1164; the place was then a fief held from the lordship of Cossonay. The commune includes the hamlet of Soveillame.
History of Senarclens
Roman times. Gallo-Roman settlements arise at En Verniaz, at Soveillame and at En Condémines, where there is also a cemetery.
early Middle Ages. A cemetery is in use at the place called En Châtonnaires.
1011. First written mention as «Senerclens».
1164. A knight of Senarclens is mentioned; the place is a fief held from the lordship of Cossonay.
1222. Senarclens is a parish dedicated to Saint Nicholas (still attested in 1228).
1228. Mention as «Sonarclens».
1285. Senarclens is no longer a parish and from then on depends on the parish of Cossonay; the old church has disappeared.
1476. The village has 11 hearths (households).
1539-1798. Senarclens belongs to the Bernese bailiwick of Morges.
1584. Georges-François de Charrière has the fortified house entirely remodelled; only a tower survives.
1597. The village is made a lordship; it is administered by an assembly of commune citizens.
1678. Fire in the village.
1798-2006. Senarclens belongs to the district of Cossonay.
from the 1970s. The building of detached houses makes the population grow; in 2000, 70 % are commuters.
1982. Construction of the community hall.
2008. With the new territorial division of Vaud, the commune becomes part of the district of Morges.
Population of Senarclens
| 1476 | 11 hearths (households) |
| 1550 | 20 hearths (households) |
| 1603 | 16 hearths (households) |
| 1764 | 157 |
| 1850 | 184 |
| 1900 | 198 |
| 1950 | 183 |
| 2000 | 349 |
| 2025 | 505 |
Historic sites in Senarclens
Senarclens Castle. Former medieval fortified house, entirely remodelled in 1584 by Georges-François de Charrière; the building, altered since, retains some old features, including a round tower.
Hamlet of Soveillame. Hamlet of the commune, where remains of a Gallo-Roman settlement have been found.
Remains in Senarclens
Gallo-Roman settlements. Remains of Gallo-Roman settlements at En Verniaz, at Soveillame and at En Condémines, the latter site with a cemetery.
En Châtonnaires cemetery. Early medieval cemetery at the place called En Châtonnaires.
Castle mound. Castle mound (fortified medieval motte) surrounded by a ditch.
Tower of the former fortified house. The only surviving element of the fortified house remodelled in 1584: a tower, incorporated into the present castle.
Sources
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Senarclens »
- Wikipédia, « Senarclens »
- Wikipédia, « Districts du canton de Vaud »
- Statistique Vaud, « Population résidante permanente au 31 décembre 2025 »
Other villages near Senarclens
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