Oron is a municipality in the district of Lavaux-Oron in the canton of Vaud in Switzerland. It was formed on 1 January 2012 when the former municipalities of Bussigny-sur-Oron, Châtillens, Chesalles-sur-Oron, Ecoteaux, Oron-la-Ville, Oron-le-Châtel, Palézieux, Les Tavernes, Les Thioleyres and Vuibroye merged. On 1 January 2022 the former municipality of Essertes merged into Oron.

History

Bussigny-sur-Oron is first mentioned in 1433 as Bussignye. In 1517 it was mentioned in a land registry of Count Jean II de Gruyère. Châtillens is first mentioned in 1141 as Castellens. The village of Chesalles-sur-Oron was first mentioned in 1330 when the surrounding land was acquired by the Bishop of Lausanne. Ecoteaux is first mentioned in 1134 as Escotaux. Oron-la-Ville is first mentioned about 280 as Uromago. In 1018 it was mentioned as Auronum. Oron-le-Châtel is first mentioned in 1137 as Oruns. Palézieux is first mentioned in 1134 as de Palaisol.

Blazon

The blazon of the municipal coat of arms is Gules, a Lion rampant Argent, surrounded by ten Billets of the same.

Geography

Oron has an area of.

Demographics

Oron has a population of.

Historic Population

The historical population is given in the following chart:

Heritage sites of national significance

The Temple of Oron-la-Ville, Oron Castle and its library, the Cistercian abbey of Haut Crêt are listed as a Swiss heritage site of national significance. The entire old town of Oron-le-Châtel is part of the Inventory of Swiss Heritage Sites.

Twin Town

Oron-la-Ville is twinned with the town of Bussac, France. Palézieux is twinned with the town of Vers-Pont du Gard, France.

Formation

The municipality was formed on 1 January 2012 with the merger of the (now former) municipalities of Bussigny-sur-Oron, Châtillens, Chesalles-sur-Oron, Ecoteaux, Oron-la-Ville, Oron-le-Châtel, Palézieux, Les Tavernes, Les Thioleyres and Vuibroye.

Transportation

There are four railway stations within the borders of the municipality: Châtillens and Palézieux-Village on the Palézieux–Lyss line; Oron on the Lausanne–Bern line; and Palézieux, located at the junction of both lines and also the northern terminus of the Châtel-St-Denis–Palézieux line. Destinations served include Lausanne, Bern, Geneva, and Lucerne.

Notes and references