La Chaux-de-Fonds: Watchmaking Culture, Architecture and Nature
La Chaux-de-Fonds is part of the UNESCO ensemble “La Chaux-de-Fonds / Le Locle, Watchmaking Town Planning”, which was planned after major fires at the beginning of the 19th century. The open layout of parallel strips connects residential buildings and workshops. The watchmaking culture represented in the ensemble dates back to the 17th century and continues to this day. La Chaux-de-Fonds is located at around 1,000 metres above sea level.
Cityscape and Architecture
After the fire of 5 May 1794, La Chaux-de-Fonds was rebuilt according to a rational, rectangular street grid. Later extensions in a chequerboard pattern enabled optimal lighting for the watchmaking workshops, which were predominantly located in south-east-facing buildings. The Villa Fallet represents a distinct architectural chapter: built between 1906 and 1907, it was a manifesto of the “Style sapin”. The plans were drawn up by Charles-Edouard Jeanneret, later known as Le Corbusier, under the supervision of the architect René Chapallaz.
The “Sapin” style is a variant of Art Nouveau developed in La Chaux-de-Fonds. It emerged at the local art school at the beginning of the 20th century and was inspired by the local flora and fauna. The historic cityscape also includes the Monumental Fountain, which was built in 1888 as La Chaux-de-Fonds’ first decorative monument and celebrated the arrival of running water in the city.
Watches and Museums
The Musée international d’horlogerie houses more than 10,000 objects, as well as historical and audiovisual archives and documents. Visitors can watch watchmakers at work in the restoration workshop. The collections of the Musée d’histoire de La Chaux-de-Fonds cover five main areas: prints, postcards and photographs; numismatics; weapons and uniforms; furniture; and everyday objects.
The Musée paysan et artisanal features a kitchen dedicated to the fire, a wood-panelled bedroom that also served as a workspace and living space, and a watchmaking workshop with a large window. At Maison Blanche, individual visits are possible without prior reservation; a brochure is loaned for the self-guided tour.
Routes and Sightseeing
The official brochure on La Chaux-de-Fonds suggests a two-hour route to Le Corbusier’s Villa Turque and a 45-minute route through the historic city centre. The Musée des beaux-arts is located in the city centre, five minutes on foot from La Chaux-de-Fonds railway station. Villa Fallet is open to the public on several Sundays each year from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; a free guided tour is offered at 11 a.m.
Around La Chaux-de-Fonds, the Chemin des 7 abeilles offers walking routes of around 1.5 to 3 hours with beautiful viewpoints over the city.
Nature and Biodiversity
MUZOO presents the permanent exhibition “Plan B” about biodiversity and the threats it faces. MUZOO’s vivarium offers an insight into the world of reptiles and amphibians with enlarged, planted and illuminated terrariums. The Bois du Petit-Château Zoo in La Chaux-de-Fonds was founded in 1891 and also includes a vivarium.
Cuisine
The La Chaux-de-Fonds Food Tour is a culinary city tour that combines tasting stops with architectural discoveries. The programme includes a cheese platter with a glass of wine at Maison du Fromage Chez Sterchi, a burger or daily special with a glass of wine at Restaurant l’Union du Théâtre, a coffee or tea at Café du Coin, and a takeaway cupcake from Marijs'sSweetys or, on Saturdays, a pastry from Le Panetier. A vegetarian option is available for the main course.
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