Le Sentier – Street Village, Marsh and Culture

Le Sentier is a village in the Vallée de Joux in the canton of Vaud, Switzerland, and part of the municipality of Le Chenit. The village lies at an altitude of about 1,000 m and is surrounded by the Vaud mountains, waterways and forests. This gives you several different aspects to consider when choosing where to stay: the unusually long street village, the Sagne du Sentier marshland, and art and watchmaking. The following information will help you factor the village scenery, a walk and local events into your travel plans.

Village Scenery and History

The historic centre is laid out as a street village. Buildings dating from the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century line both sides of the Grande-Rue; Le Sentier is considered a street village of exceptional length. The term describes a village that extends along a road; in Le Sentier, this layout can be seen along the Grande-Rue and its rows of buildings on either side. Those interested in local history will find a clear point of reference here: the first temple was built in 1612. The village name was first mentioned as “Sendey” in 1611; the first inhabitants were mostly from the municipality of Le Lieu. Le Sentier is also the administrative seat of the municipality of Le Chenit; until the end of August 2006, it was the capital of the former district of La Vallée.

Marshland and Walk

The Sagne du Sentier is a marsh listed in the Federal Inventory of Raised Bogs. On the Sentier de la sagne, raised boardwalks lead through the area, allowing visitors to walk without harming the sensitive natural environment. The route is 1.30 km long and starts at the “Le Sentier-L'Orient, gare” stop. At 1.30 km, it offers a short, clearly defined option for exploring the marshland. Check the latest route and stop information before setting out.

Art and Watchmaking

The Galerie de l’Essor is a 150 m² exhibition hall that opened in 1981. It showcases artists from Switzerland and around the world, with around ten exhibitions held there each year. Check the latest exhibition dates before visiting.

Swiss watchmakers producing in Le Sentier include Jaeger-LeCoultre, based there since 1833, as well as Gérald Genta, Patek Philippe and Vacheron Constantin. The gallery and the watchmakers offer different cultural highlights: one focuses on its exhibition programme, the other on production by several Swiss manufacturers.

Market and Getting There

The municipality holds a market in Le Sentier every Thursday morning. If you plan to visit, check the current municipal calendar first. At weekends, a tourist bus service runs from Le Sentier via the Marchairuz to Rolle. As the route and operating days may change, check the latest timetable before travelling.

Discover more destinations: Orbe Vd, Sainte-Croix, Mathod, Grandson, Les Rasses, Le Lieu, Bonvillars, L'auberson

Back to the regional travel overview: Northern Vaud Jura.