"swiss village in lovely valley of snow" Château-d'Oex by angiebabe

Château-d'Oex Travel Guide: 7 reviews and 18 photos

Chateau D'oex nestled below mountains - Château-d'Oex

Swiss Village surrounded by snow - Feb 2003

My first visit to Chateau D'oex was in February 2003 and it was a swiss village in a valley surrounded by snow - loads of snow!! I was visiting with a Swiss acquaintance who had been there before and knew her way around and as the ski field wasnt operating for the day we planned to ski we walked over the hill through deep snow towards Gstaad.

Which was a great experience - and great views and pics!

Returning Jan 2007 - no snow and no balloons!

mr clown and moon man have take off at last!

I was able to geet off my train at Gstaad for half an hour and see the place again, especially too to get some digital pics of the town cute and prestigious town id visited 4 years before!
Arrived at my accommodation - the Chateau D'oex youth hostel where id stayed before - and its a great place to stay, meals included, and run by friendly and outgoing staff.
Due to high winds though the hot air balloons hadnt been able to lift off so i used my train pass to go see lovely Montreux and Lausanne again! The whole area is beautiful - the Golden Panoramic train route and the views over Lake Lausanne are stunning!
Arriving back in the dark to a meal and excellent local wine kept for me by the kind staff.

So i stayed an extra day in case they flew.....!!!

the old centre of Chatea D'oex

And how exciting!! The hot air balloons were in action and from our hostel room we had the best view in the house!!

My room mate had been several years running for the balloon week and was happily reading out her checks from the programme catalogue which balloon was flown by who!

I indulged and spent the next 4 hours taking photos of balloons around and over Chateau D'oex!!!
Thank goodness the train system in Switzerland is so efficient and fast that i had nothing to worry about leaving on the 315 train and getting back to Basel for my flight with heaps of time to still see more of Basel!! (and more stunning scenery of the Golden Panoramic train route along the way back!)

Last visit to Château-d'Oex: Jan 2007
Intro Updated Jan 13, 2008
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Reviews (6)

comfortable youth hostel for cheaper prices - Château-d'Oex

comfortable youth hostel for cheaper... Hotels (1)

Have stayed here twice now and both times very satisfactory and friendly, comfortable, warm and clean. Switzerland being... more travel advice

see the sky full of balloons! - Château-d'Oex

see the sky full of balloons! Things to Do (3)

Every year in January Chateau D'oex hosts its International Hot Air Balloon Festival which usually runs for a week. A... more travel advice

Train to nearby Montreux and Lausanne Off The Beaten Path (2)

These beautiful towns on the shores of Lake Lausanne are both prominent and popular towns to visit with must see sights.... more travel advice

Train trip to nearby Gruyere Off The Beaten Path (2)

Get the timetables from the helpful railway station staff - or the very excellent swiss trains website at... more travel advice

Travelogues (1)

Written Dec 10, 2008

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Great to see the balloons at the Festival!

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Comments (8)

travelfrosch Mar 28, 2012 at 6:19 AM Report Abuse

Thanks for your insights, especially on the Youth Hostel. Cheers, Mark
balhannah Sep 9, 2011 at 12:16 AM Report Abuse

An interesting page! I didn't know that David Niven was buried there, or about the Balloon festival, not that we would be there in January, too cold for us! We thought it a nice town too! Just been having a look at my photo's.
globetrott Oct 19, 2010 at 10:16 AM Report Abuse

I have been there 2 times within the last year, but unfortunately I did not know about David Niven's gravestone beeing there !
HORSCHECK Aug 3, 2010 at 1:09 PM Report Abuse

Angie, lovely little page about Chateau-d'Oex and the surrounding region. Although I have explored many parts of Switzerland I must admit that I haven't been to this region yet.
Zvrlj Dec 28, 2008 at 10:11 AM Report Abuse

We see you have been at Montbenon in Lausanne. Chateau D'oeux looks beautiful, unfortunately we missed it. Maybe next time... Happy New Year! I&V
Nemorino Oct 22, 2008 at 12:37 PM Report Abuse

So you changed trains at Spiez to come here? Thanks for adding me to your friends list & visiting my modest Spiez page. I hope you can join that cycle-to-work scheme. I've just read that the London mayor wants to improve cycling conditions over there.
Jenniflower Jan 13, 2008 at 12:03 PM Report Abuse

Lovely place to stay at this time especially! Great loo tip warning haha
SLLiew Dec 6, 2007 at 2:08 PM Report Abuse

Wow... international balloon show. Have not been to one of these.