The Louis Saugy Trail

Tour Rougement in the footsteps of the master and innovator of the art of paper cutting, Louis Saugy.

It was in the region of Pays-d’Enhaut that these representations of ascents to the alpine pastures and other local customs made using paper and scissors were first created. A postman in Rougemont and with a talent for drawing and observation, Louis Saugy (1871-1953) was one of the first practitioners and went on to develop the art form, which has now become popular the world over. Started this year, this educational route takes you around the Damounais village and highlights eighteen scenes illustrated in the works of the celebrated paper cutter and in post cards dating from 1900.

Life in years gone by
Louis Saugy’s talent was quickly recognised and he received many well-known figures at his workshop such as Winston Churchill, Field Marshal Montgomery and the Royal Family of Spain. In short anecdotes the master paper cutter recounts tales from years gone by about life in Rougemont and his own experiences, revealing an extroverted man who was both warm-hearted and generous. He has depicted, for example, washerwomen at the fountain, a café with people playing cards, the transport of the era, ascents to the alpine pastures, and many other scenes which the artist liked to cut in paper.

Today and yesterday
Postcards from the period will take you back a hundred years to the very spot where the photographer first took the shot. These point out the details in the landscape which have remained unchanged and, conversely, those which have succumbed to modernity. More curious visitors can also test their powers of observation with a booklet which is available from the Tourism Offices in the Pays-d’Enhaut region. About 1.5 km in length, the route is not difficult and is suitable for families with pushchairs. The start and end of the route is located at the Rougemont Tourism Office. Those visitors who wish to learn more about the paper cuttings of Louis Saugy can continue on to the Musée du Vieux Pays-d’Enhaut in Château-d’Oex where a beautiful collection of works by the artist is on display.