Saanen is a municipality in the canton of Bern in Switzerland. It is the capital of the Obersimmental-Saanen administrative district. The villa…Saanen is a municipality in the canton of Bern in Switzerland. It is the capital of the Obersimmental-Saanen administrative district. The village was first mentioned in 1228 as Gissinay. In 1340 it was mentioned as Sanon.