Founder François Savigny Talks Early Days: From a Bold Idea to a Global Movement

Back in the early ’80s, if you wanted to climb, you went outside. But in 1985, a French climber named François Savigny had an idea that felt a little wild at the time: What if climbing could happen anywhere—indoors, all year long, and built to grow with the sport?

He started small, shaping holds by hand in his garage, figuring things out as he went. That spark became Entre-Prises—and today, 40 years later, it’s known worldwide as EP Climbing. Along the way, we’ve helped shape indoor climbing into what it is today.

Now, four decades in, we’re taking a moment to look back at where it all started, the people who made it happen, and the walls that helped build a global climbing community.

Founder François Savigny shares stories from the early days—long hours, big risks, and a mission to make climbing accessible to everyone. If you’ve ever chalked up at a gym, you’re part of that journey.

Click here to watch with English subtitles

Big Ideas, Bolder Builds

The first EP wall went up in 1987. Just two years later, we built the comp wall for the very first Climbing World Cup in Leeds, UK, a milestone that helped shift indoor climbing from a training option to a sport with its own spotlight.

By the ’90s, EP was building for some of the biggest climbing events in the world. From the pre-Olympic week in Albertville to countless IFSC World Cups, our walls became known for pushing the limits of design and bringing the energy of outdoor climbing to center stage.

Today, EP is proud to be the official wall supplier for the Olympic Games. Our TITAN bouldering wall, an IFSC-standard design, made its Olympic debut at Paris 2024 and is already being installed in gyms around the world.

More Than Walls — It’s About People

Behind every wall are stories—bold ideas, late-night builds, heated competitions, and personal victories. EP is more than a company; it’s a community of climbers, builders, setters, athletes, and dreamers.

Legends like Lynn Hill, Chris Sharma, Patrick Edlinger, and Shauna Coxsey have left their mark on EP walls. But it’s not just about the pros.

We’ve partnered with schools, parks, gyms, and campuses to create spaces that are inclusive and inspiring for climbers of all levels. 

Because in the end, it’s not just about the walls. It’s about the people who climb them.