Britons, cutting paper and Espace Ballon

24 June 2019

In the last quarter of the 19th century, Château-d’Oex (canton Valais) became increasingly popular.  Many British tourists visited the region.

The infrastructure improved, and many hotels, inns, restaurants, pensions, and other facilities opened. Some still exist (for example, the Hôtel de l’Ours, the Hôtel de Ville, the Résidence Rosat, and the Clos des Abeilles at Villa d’Oex).

The arrival of the Montreux-Oberland Bernois railway in 1904 made the whole region of Pays-d’Enhaut more accessible.

The Anglican Church was built in 1899 and had already expanded by 1911. The village was a popular destination just before the outbreak of World War I.

The village is the hot-air-balloon capital. The Espace Ballon shows its history and present-day possibilities. The Breitling Orbiter capsule, used in the first attempt to circumnavigate the globe, is also on display. The annual international balloon festival takes place in January.

Château-d’Oex is also a village known for paper cutting. The Musée du Pays-d’Enhaut has a magnificent collection of paper cuttings and also presents local history and art.

(Source and further information: www.chateau-doex.ch).