Saanen

Saanen is a municipality in the canton of Bern in western Switzerland. It lies in the Bernese Oberland, in the region commonly known as the Saanenland, and the municipal seat is the village of Saanen. The landscape is alpine, with meadows, forests and traditional chalets, and the area is near the well-known resort of Gstaad. The municipality is German-speaking and is part of the Swiss system of local government.

History and geography: Saanen has medieval origins, and its parish church and historic buildings reflect the traditional Alpine culture of the region. The area comprises several villages and hamlets that share a common rural and tourism-oriented economy, with Saanen serving as the administrative center.

Economy and tourism: The local economy combines agriculture, particularly dairy farming, with tourism. The Saanenland attracts visitors for winter and summer recreation, including skiing, hiking and scenic tours. The region is known for alpine cheese production and other dairy goods, as well as seasonal events that draw travelers to the area.

Saanen and the Saanenland in culture: The name Saanen also appears in reference to the Saanen goat, a dairy breed developed in the same region and widely maintained for milk production around the world. This breed highlights the agricultural heritage of the area and its influence on farming practices beyond Switzerland.

See also: The broader Bernese Oberland and the resort region around Gstaad are closely associated with Saanen, contributing to its prominence as a tourist and agricultural community.