Founex facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Founex
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 Founex
Location in Switzerland
Founex
Location in Canton of Vaud
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| Country | Switzerland | |
| Canton | Vaud | |
| District | Nyon | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 4.79 km2 (1.85 sq mi) | |
| Elevation | 399 m (1,309 ft) | |
| Population
(Dec 2020 )
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| • Total | 3,874 | |
| • Density | 808.8/km2 (2,094.7/sq mi) | |
| Demonym(s) | Les Founachus | |
| Postal code |
1297
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| Localities | Chataigneriaz, Les Neyruaz | |
| Surrounded by | Bogis-Bossey, Céligny (GE), Coppet, Commugny, Chavannes-de-Bogis | |
Founex is a small town, also called a municipality, located in the Nyon district of the Vaud canton in Switzerland. It's a lovely place with a rich history and beautiful surroundings.
Contents
A Glimpse into Founex's History
Founex has a long and interesting past. People lived here even during Roman times, as shown by old findings near a place called Le Gachet.
How Founex Got Its Name
The village was first mentioned in official records in 1224. Back then, it was known as Fosnay. A few years later, in 1251, its name changed to Founai.
Important Influences Over Time
During the Middle Ages, Founex was connected to the Saint Maurice abbey, which is a type of monastery. Later, it was influenced by powerful groups like the Barony of Coppet and the diocese of Geneva. A diocese is an area managed by a bishop in the church.
When the canton of Vaud separated from Bern in 1536, Founex became part of the Nyon district. In the 14th century, a Cistercian abbey called Bonmont and its nearby area, la Châtaigneraie, joined Founex. After the time known as the Ancien Régime (which means "old system" in French), Founex was part of the Canton of Léman from 1798 to 1803. This was during the Helvetic Republic, a period when Switzerland was under French influence.
Challenges and Community Spirit
In 1886, a plant disease called phylloxera vastatrix was found in a local vineyard. This disease attacks grapevines.
More recently, in 2002, Founex and eight other villages decided to work together. They formed an area called the Terre Sainte, which means "Holy Land." However, the idea of officially joining together as one legal group was voted against by Founex's local council in 2010.
Exploring Founex's Geography
Founex covers an area of about 4.8 square kilometers (about 1.85 square miles). A large part of this land, about 65.1%, is used for farming. This includes growing crops, pastures for animals, and areas for fruit trees or grapevines.
About 2.3% of Founex is covered by forests. The rest of the land, about 32.2%, is built up with buildings and roads. This includes homes, transportation routes, and other developed areas.
Where Founex Is Located
Founex was part of the Nyon District until 2006. After that, it became part of the new Nyon district. The municipality includes the main village of Founex and two smaller settlements, or hamlets, called Châtaigneraie and Le Gachet.
Understanding Founex's Coat of Arms
The coat of arms for Founex has a simple design. The official description, called a blazon, says it is Azure, scales Argent. This means it has a blue background (Azure) with silver scales (Argent). Scales often represent justice or balance.
Founex's Population and People
Founex is home to many people from different backgrounds. As of the latest information, the population is around 2,933 residents. A significant portion of the population, about 42.7%, are people from other countries.
Languages Spoken in Founex
Most people in Founex speak French, which is the most common language. English is the second most spoken language, followed by German. You might also hear people speaking Italian.
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Age Groups in Founex
The population of Founex includes a good mix of age groups. About 14.2% are children aged 0 to 9, and 15.0% are teenagers aged 10 to 19. Adults make up the largest part of the population, with people in their 30s and 40s being a significant group. There are also many senior citizens living in Founex.
Homes and Households
In Founex, there are many private homes. The average household has about 2.7 people. Some households have just one person, while others are larger families with five or more people. There are also many married couples, both with and without children, and single parents.
Most of the buildings in Founex are single-family homes. There are also some multi-family buildings and buildings used for both housing and businesses. Most apartments in Founex are lived in all year round.
Population Growth Over Time
The number of people living in Founex has changed a lot over the years. The chart below shows how the population has grown from 1764 to 2000. You can see a steady increase, especially in recent decades.
Founex's Economy and Jobs
Founex has a healthy economy with many different types of jobs. In 2010, the unemployment rate was low, at 3.2%.
Main Job Sectors
- Primary Sector: This includes jobs related to natural resources, like farming. In Founex, about 80 people work in agriculture.
- Secondary Sector: This involves manufacturing and construction. About 39 people work in this sector in Founex, building things or making products.
- Tertiary Sector: This is the largest sector and includes jobs that provide services. About 616 people work in this area. This can be anything from sales and transportation to working in hotels, restaurants, education, or healthcare.
Commuting for Work
Many people who live in Founex travel to other towns for work. Also, some people from outside Founex come into the municipality to work. Most people use a private car to get to work, while some use public transportation.
Important Public Buildings
Founex has some notable public buildings that are important to the community.
Saint Robert de Molesmes Chapel
The Catholic chapel of Saint Robert de Molesmes is a special building located between the lake and the main Swiss road. It was built between 1898 and 1899 on land that was kindly given by Baroness Double de Saint Lambert. The chapel was officially opened and blessed on August 3, 1899. Later, in 1925, it became a parish, which means it became a main church for a specific area.
- Founex sightings
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Grand'rue (High street).
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City hall.
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Route Suisse crossroad.
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St Robert chapel.
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Grape seedlings.
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Grape grower's hut an Jura hills.
Religion in Founex
Founex is a place where people of many different faiths live. According to a census from 2000:
- About 32.9% of the population are Roman Catholic.
- About 28.7% belong to the Swiss Reformed Church.
- Smaller numbers of people belong to other Christian churches, including Orthodox and Christian Catholic churches.
- There are also communities of Jewish and Islamic people.
- Some residents practice Buddhism or Hinduism.
- A significant portion of the population does not belong to any church or identifies as agnostic or atheist.
Education and Learning in Founex
Education is important in Founex. Many residents have completed higher levels of schooling.
Schools in Founex
The International School of Geneva has a campus called La Châtaigneraie located right in Founex. This school offers education to students from many different countries.
In the 2009/2010 school year, there were 333 students in the Founex school district. The local school system provides pre-school for young children. Students then attend primary school for four years, followed by a six-year lower secondary school program.
Many students who live in Founex attend schools within the municipality, while some travel to schools in other towns.
Notable People from Founex
Founex has been home to several important people throughout history:
- Jean-Jacques Dunant (1742-1802): He was a syndic of Geneva, which is like a chief magistrate or mayor.
- Louis François Senn (1799–1873): A doctor and politician who is buried in Founex.
- Édouard Rod (1857–1910): A well-known Swiss journalist and writer.
- Albert Picot (1888–1966): A lawyer and State Councillor, also buried in Founex.
- Hélène Grégoire (1904–1998): A French writer who passed away in Founex.
- Sir John B. Adams (1920–1984): A famous particle physicist who directed CERN, a major scientific research organization. He lived in Founex.
See also
In Spanish: Founex para niños
