Arzier

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Arzier
Canton	Vaud
District	Nyon
Coordinates	46°28′N 6°13′E
Population	1891 (2003)
Area	51.89 km²
Elevation	880 m
Postal code	1273
SFOS number	5702
Mayor	Claude Guilloud
Website	www.arzier.ch
Arzier

Arzier is a municipality in the district of Nyon of the canton of Vaud, Switzerland. The official name of the municipality is Arzier-Le Muids. Le Muids (altitude : 695 m) is a small village which, due to its small size and proximity to Arzier (altitude : apr. 800 m) is part of the same municipality as its larger neighbor. Arzier natives are called "Brennards" because the village experienced a severe fire in its early days (derivative of French for burn "bruler"). Residents of Le Muids are called "Rafi."

The first mention of Arzier was in 1306 as the village Arsie. Throughout the middle ages Arzier's name is seen in documents as Arsie, Argier, and Arsier. Le Muids is first mentioned as a barn ( dependent upon the abbey of Oujon) in 1250. Settlers were granted land (for farming) in Arzier by the abbey of Oujon in 1304. In 1536 control of the region, and of all of the lands of the abbey were lost to a conquering duke from Bern. This duke wasn't appreciated because he did not let each village govern itself, causing numerous problems and much discontent. Less than a century had past before the Brennards and Rafi lost their patience and stopped farming altogether, descending into extreme poverty. As time went by and the land went to waste, the regional government decided to take drastic measures, and in 1664, granted Arzier political independence. The village still had to pay a tax to Nyon, but henceforth it managed its own affairs independently. This is seen as the beginning of Arzier's prosperity.

In the early days of independence, the local council was composed of 8 members, each elected for life terms. Half came from Arzier, the other half from Le Muids. Today the political structure is much more complex, with the executive branch being made up of a mayor, a vice-mayor and three ministers, and the legislative being made up of a council of a president, two vice presidents, seven other administrators, and 52 general members.