Le Sépey

Origin of the name Le Sépey

Name origin: first written mention in 1231 in the form « Sapey ». The etymology is not explained in the sources consulted.

Founding of Le Sépey

Le Sépey is not a municipality: it is the main village of the municipality of Ormont-Dessous, in the district of Aigle. The sources consulted name neither a founder nor a date of creation, but regard it as the oldest clustered settlement of the Ormonts valley. Under the Ancien Régime, the municipality was divided into four administrative units called seytes, including that of Le Sépey. Located on the route linking the Rhône plain to the Pays-d'Enhaut via the Col des Mosses, the village lived from fairs, from crafts powered by its stream, and later from through traffic and tourism.

History of Le Sépey

1231. First written mention, in the form « Sapey ».

1441. The co-lords of Aigremont grant the peasants of the valley two annual fairs to be held at Le Sépey.

1475-1798. Under Bernese rule, the municipality of Ormont-Dessous, whose main village is Le Sépey, belongs to the mandement of the Ormonts.

1640. Date inscribed on a house in the village (to be cross-checked).

18th century. The village has two inns; the Sépey stream drives numerous mills, a tannery and a forge.

1835-1840. Construction of the carriage road from Aigle, completed to Le Sépey in 1839, which brings economic and tourist growth.

around 1870. Tourist growth peaks with three large hotels.

1900. In May, a fire destroys about ten houses.

1914. Opening of the Aigle-Le Sépey-Les Diablerets railway line.

1982. A bypass road reduces the village to a place of passage.

Historic sites in Le Sépey

Sépey stream. Watercourse that in the 18th century drove numerous mills, a tannery and a forge.

Le Sépey station. Stop on the Aigle-Le Sépey-Les Diablerets line, opened in 1914.

Collège du Sépey. Primary and secondary school Les Ormonts-Leysin.

Remains in Le Sépey

House of 1640. House dated 1640 bearing the inscription « MON DIEU L'ENNEMI M'ENVIRONNE... » (to be cross-checked).

Sources

• Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Sépey, Le »
• Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Ormont-Dessous »
• Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Ormonts, Les »
• Wikipédia, « Le Sépey »
• Statistique Vaud, « Population résidante permanente au 31 décembre 2025 »
• geo.admin.ch, service de recherche de lieux (swisstopo)

Other villages near Le Sépey

• La Forclaz (VD)
• Ormont-Dessous (VD)
• La Comballaz (VD)
• Leysin (VD)
• Ormont-Dessus (VD)