iCyclades - Cyclades Discovery Guide

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The church and the chapel of Saanen are a must if you have the excellent idea to stop in this village, which is much less well known than Gstaad, a few kilometres away.

At the turn of the bell tower, we discover a pretty chapel which adds even more charm to this peaceful environment.

The chapel was closed when we passed through. Apparently, it is used more as a meeting room than as a place of worship.

Enter the church, of which the ornate interior is sure to surprise you!

First mentioned in 1228, dedicated to St. Mauritius in the Middle Ages and rebuilt in the late Gothic style in the middle of the 15th century, since the Reformation it has been known simply as "Church of Saanen".

It is on this beautiful village square, surrounded by large picturesque chalets, that you will find the information point of the tourist office.

The Village Street ("Dorfstrasse") is a pedestrian street, which is closed to traffic. Our virtual stroll starts here, with an eastward-facing panorama, and we will head west towards the village square.

We pass to the south of the church, along a beautiful green area which is unfortunately private.

We are here next to the large car park which is located west of the village. Follow this path to go up to the church.

The village of Saanen is much smaller than the village of Gstaad, so you won't get lost...

We are already arriving in view of the Village Plaza ("Dorfplatz").

The main street runs along the village plaza and continues westwards to the beautiful church of Saanen.

The panoramas of our virtual stroll were shot in July 2020, between two pandemic waves. Saanen looks almost like a ghost town, with only a few open terraces.

Our virtual stroll will continue to follow the main street towards the church of Saint Mauritius, of which the bell tower can be seen in the distance. Note that it is from this small square that Bahnhofstrasse starts, which joins the MOB train station, 110m further south.

We have now left the pedestrian street. The paid car park we are passing by is not very big, you will have more chances to find a place further on, towards the church.

To visit the church, you can go up Bortgässli street which starts on your right, or you can go straight ahead to go around the church and see it from all angles.

The path around the church starts (or ends) here, along the chapel.

This path goes around the church and allows you to discover it from all angles.

Facing a splendid bourgeois house, the path turns east and becomes an alley where the church stands in a bucolic landscape.

The pointed bell tower stands in a truly spectacular landscape, you won't regret visiting the church of Saanen by following the path around it.

The path passes through a lawn that runs alongside the church and its large cemetery. The closer you get to it, the more impressive the bell tower.

This large payed parking is the ideal place to stop and visit Saanen. It is close to the church and the village, the centre of which is closed to traffic.