Ormont-Dessus
Origin of the name Ormont-Dessus
The old name is « Ormont », in German « Ormund ». In the charters of 1277 the locality appears as « Joria de Hormont ». The upper part of the valley was called Joux d'Ormont, then Outre Joux in the 15th century and finally Ormont-Dessus from the 16th century. The etymology of the name Ormont is not explained in the sources consulted.
Founding of Ormont-Dessus
None of the sources consulted dates the founding of the municipality or names a founder. In the Middle Ages the Ormonts valley depended on the abbey of Saint-Maurice, then passed under the rule of various vassals of the House of Savoy; the lords of Saillon, vassals of Savoy, held rights over part of the territory. A first charter of franchises dates from 1277. Under the Ancien Régime the municipality was divided into three « seytes »: Seyte-d'Enbas (Rosé), Seyte-du-Milieu (Vers-l'Eglise) and Seyte-d'Enhaut (Les Diablerets).
History of Ormont-Dessus
1277. Charters in which the locality appears as « Joria de Hormont »; first charter of franchises.
1396. A church building is recorded at Vers-l'Eglise.
15th century. Around the middle of the century the chapel of Saint-Théodule replaces the 1396 building; it depends on the church at Cergnat.
1475. The Bernese take possession of the region; Ormont-Dessus henceforth belongs to the Ormonts mandement of the government of Aigle (1475-1798).
1480. The valley splits into the parishes of Ormont-Dessus and Ormont-Dessous, a separation made final at the Reformation.
1529. The Reformation is imposed despite strong resistance from the population.
1749. A devastating avalanche; others follow in 1793, 1923 and 1984.
1798. The Ormonans fight the revolutionary troops.
1852. A chapel of the Free Church (Église libre) is built.
1856. The Grand Hôtel des Diablerets is built at Plan des Isles, the start of tourist development.
1871. The road from Aigle is extended from Le Sépey to Les Diablerets.
1873-1874. The municipal hall is built to plans by the architect François Jaquerod.
1881. An English chapel is built.
1882. The road over the Col du Pillon to the Bernese Oberland opens to traffic.
1888. The Société d'embellissement et d'utilité publique is founded.
1902. A Catholic church is built.
1914. Les Diablerets station is connected to the Aigle-Le Sépey-Les Diablerets line.
1969. First Festival international du film alpin at Les Diablerets (FIFAD).
1971. The Col de la Croix road links Les Diablerets with Villars-sur-Ollon.
2008. The Musée des Ormonts moves into the municipal hall.
Population of Ormont-Dessus
| 1850 | 935 |
| 1900 | 1'092 |
| 1950 | 994 |
| 1980 | 1'000 |
| 2000 | 1'307 |
| 2025 | 1'440 |
Historic sites in Ormont-Dessus
Saint-Théodule church at Vers-l'Eglise. Mid-15th-century chapel that replaced a building recorded in 1396; first dependent on the church at Cergnat, it became the parish church at the Reformation. It is listed as a Swiss cultural property of national significance.
Municipal hall and Musée des Ormonts. Built in 1873-1874 to plans by the architect François Jaquerod, it has housed the Musée des Ormonts since 2008.
Les Diablerets. Village at the foot of the massif of the same name, seat of the Seyte-d'Enhaut, which became a resort after the Grand Hôtel was built in 1856.
Col du Pillon. Pass opened to traffic in 1882, linking the valley with the Bernese Oberland (Gsteig).
Les Planches sawmill. Sawmill listed as a Swiss cultural property of national significance.
Remains in Ormont-Dessus
Alpine chalets of the Chaussy range. The mountain pastures of the Chaussy range, worked by private cooperatives, preserve old groups of chalets from the 17th and 18th centuries.
Sources
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Ormont-Dessus »
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Ormonts, Les »
- Wikipédia, « Ormont-Dessus »
- Statistique Vaud, « Population résidante permanente au 31 décembre 2025 »
Localities of the municipality with a page
Other villages near Ormont-Dessus
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