Saanen: Palace Gstaad

Saanen sits in the upper Saane valley in the Bernese Oberland of Switzerland, where Alpine meadows rise toward the surrounding peaks and the river begins its long course toward the Aare. The village is the administrative centre of the Saanenland and shares its municipality with Gstaad, the resort settlement a short distance down the valley. At its centre stands the late-Gothic Church of St Maurice, reflecting a community shaped by mountain farming and routes linking the Bernese and Vaud Alps. Traditional timber houses and working pastures give Saanen a more local character than its internationally known neighbour. Continue with other webcams from the Saanenland to see how this part of the Bernese Oberland connects regionally.

Built around the Aare River and routes across the Swiss Plateau, Bern grew into a canton connecting the federal capital with the Bernese Oberland. Its territory extends from Jura foothills and farmland through the Aare valley to the high Alps around the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. The city of Bern, Switzerland’s federal capital, preserves an Old Town inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, while Thun and Interlaken lead towards Lakes Thun and Brienz. Urban institutions, dairy farming and established alpine resorts give the canton a notably broad Swiss character. View additional webcams nearby to better understand how Bern relates to its Alpine and plateau surroundings.

Switzerland stretches from the Jura Mountains in the northwest to the Alps in the south, encompassing a central plateau of cities, farms and lakes. The Rhine rises in the Swiss Alps, while Lake Geneva forms part of the country’s southwestern border. Zürich, Geneva and Basel are major urban centres, yet mountain railways and passes remain central to how many regions are experienced. Four national languages—German, French, Italian and Romansh—reflect Switzerland’s distinct cantonal identities. The Matterhorn above Zermatt is among Europe’s most recognisable peaks, and the 1291 Federal Charter is closely associated with the country’s founding tradition. Continue through nearby webcams to explore different parts of Switzerland.