The air in Lyon feels a little heavier today, marked by the passing of a man whose vision touched thousands across the globe. Alain Sebban, the president and founder of Vatel, the world’s foremost group in hospitality and tourism management education, drew his last breath this Friday, February 13, at the age of 79. Known for his infectious joy and unwavering support for the Israeli community, the Lyonnais leaves behind an extraordinary legacy.
A Life Dedicated to the Art of Hospitality
With his sparkling eyes and a smile that often preceded his words, Alain Sebban was the very embodiment of the values he sought to instill. He greeted everyone, from close friends to new acquaintances, with a warmth that instantly put them at ease. This profound lesson in life, he shared through Vatel, which since 1981, has become synonymous with the “French art of hospitality.”
His was a true success story, born from the humble beginnings of a hotelier’s son. Sebban learned the ropes of the trade by his parents’ side, owners of the Hôtel de Verdun. “Throughout his life, he carried the Mediterranean sun and warmth in his sparkling gaze,” the Vatel school commented, announcing the passing of its president-founder. Born in Oran on March 8, 1946, Sebban possessed an innate “gift of selflessness.” Lyon, his adopted city, forgave his initial “infidelity” when he chose Paris to open his first school in 1981.
“A first experience in Paris, where nobody knew us, gave us the right to make mistakes that we wouldn’t have been granted in Lyon,” he explained in May 2024, in an issue dedicated to Vatel’s 40th anniversary in Lyon.
From a Parisian Beginning to a Global Empire
Three years later, with his model proven, he finally set out to conquer Lyon, establishing the school in the premises of a former appliance company. “The campus (managed by his wife Jocelyne) quickly gained momentum. From 50 students in 1984, we grew to 150, then 300, before reaching nearly 800 today,” he recounted in 2024.
A third school followed, opening in Nîmes in 1989 at the request of the city’s mayor, Jean Bousquet. A 14,000m² plot of land was allocated to him, a testament to the growing importance of Alain Sebban and his educational group. Vatel continued to expand, sharing its knowledge across borders. Sebban took the bold step of exporting his model internationally, establishing schools in the United Arab Emirates, Mexico, the Philippines, Rwanda, and the United States. Today, Vatel shares its philosophy of “sharing, commitment, respect, and benevolence” with over 9,000 students across 50 schools in 32 countries.
A Defender of Education, Culture, and Community
“Vatel schools train young graduates ready to join a network of 50,000 ‘Vatéliens’ and ‘Vatéliennes’ who contribute to the economic and tourism development of their country or elsewhere,” the group proudly states. The art of transmission, always and forever, was central to his philosophy. In parallel, Alain Sebban was deeply involved in the activities of the Jewish community in France. He organized the Jewish Community of La Duchère before becoming its president in 2003. Later, in 2011, he was elected president of the Jewish Consistory of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, and last year, honorary president of the Central Consistory of France.
“Alain Sebban belonged to that generation of men for whom service was a moral imperative. His actions never sought recognition. He gave silently. He decided discreetly. He built without demanding the spotlight,” paid tribute the CRIF Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes in a statement.
Deeply saddened by the passing of his lifelong wife in 2021, Alain Sebban had spoken of feeling tired. He finally passed away at home this Friday, February 13, at 5 AM, surrounded by his family.
The farewell ceremony will take place on Sunday, February 15, 2026, at 9 AM, at the Israeli Cemetery of Champagne-au-Mont-d’Or. Lyon People extends its sincere condolences to his family and loved ones.
