Ch�teau-d'Oex is first mentioned in 1115 as Oit, Oyz, Oix and Oyez.
Prehistoric settlements
During the late Paleolithic and Mesolithic (9500 to at least 6000 BC) caves around Ch�teau-d'Oex served as a seasonal settlement. Bronze Age knives indicate that there was a settlement during that era as well. Many of the local names (combe = valley, joeur = forest, man= rock)and the local dialect are the only traces of a Celtic settlement in the area. The lack of iron ore and the sparseness of the soil probably prevented the romanization of lowland valleys. During the Gallo-Roman era, the region may have been only sparsely populated. By the 10th Century, the Alamannic settlements had only reached Le Vanel but then spread even higher and reached the pastures in L'Etivaz in the southern part of the municipality. The valley was known as the high Gau or Ogo. The name may have come from the word for Ox or be a form of �esch, (or ash).
Medieval history
In the 10th Century, the Count of Gruyere conquered La Tine and the Creux de l'Enfer. Subsequently it was merged with Rossini�re to form a district. The church of St. Donat was consecrated and first mentioned in 1175. The village church was under the authority of the Cluniac Priory of Rougemont, which was founded in 1080.
At the beginning of the 14th Century, the castle at La Motte was rebuilt for the Counts of Gruyere. Another stronghold probably stood on the rocky spur which was known as Ch�teau Cottier. After clearing the woods, the region was intensively farmed and produced barley, hay, hemp and cheese. In 1388 the villagers threw off the obligation to serve the nobility. Then, in 1403, against the wishes of the Count of Gruy�res, the villagers joined a limited alliance with Bern.
Growth during the Early Modern era
In 1555 Bern received the upper part of the county of Gruyere including Ch�teau-d'Oex. It became part of the German-speaking bailiwickof Saanen
