Swiss handicrafts in La Chaux-de-Fonds

This typical Nordic circuit leads across the marshy plains of the Vallée des Ponts. There is only a very slight difference in altitude and so the circuit is ideal for everyone, even beginners. The track circles the wonderful Bois-des-Lattes nature reserve.

Explore the architectural history of La Chaux-de-Fonds, and you’ll find that the starring role belongs not to the city but to its most famous son, Charles-Edouard Jeanneret – better known as Le Corbusier.

As his first project, Charles-Edouard Jeanneret, who later called himself Le Corbusier, built the Maison Blanche for his parents on the hills of his native town. This architectural masterpiece served this world-famous architect as a laboratory for his first construction techniques.

On this guided tour, culture lovers will gain an insight into a time when the booming watch industry of the Neuchâtel Jura was responsible for more than half of the world’s watch production.

This trail runs past several beautiful and traditional Jura farmhouses. The Les Tailléres lake nearby usually freezes over in winter.

The Style Sapin or fir tree style of the Art Nouveau movement was born in La Chaux-de-Fonds.

The considerable difference in altitude between parts of this route gives the trail its sporty reputation.

Dedicated to the history of timekeeping, the Musée International d'Horlogerie (MIH) is home to more than 4,500 collection pieces, of which 2,700 watches and around 700 wall clocks. The technical, artistic, social and economic aspect of the history of watchmaking is illustrated here in living manner.

After the 1973 crisis in the watchmaking industry, "La Tchaux", as the locals like to call their city, lost 6,000 of its 42,000 residents. Today, it has a population of 39,000.

The ancient charm of this theatre built in the Italian style will transport you to a bygone era.

La Chaux-de-Fonds is more closely associated with watches than perhaps any other town or city. Located at an altitude of 1,000 metres above sea level, its streets are laid out in a chessboard pattern. This successful symbiosis between urban development and the watchmaking industry has led to the city being designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. La Chaux-de-Fonds is also the birthplace of Le Corbusier.

The watchmaking centres of La Chaux-de-Fonds and Le Locle have been awarded World Heritage status by Unesco in Sevilla. The two neighbouring towns in canton Neuchâtel joined nine other Swiss sites that already benefit from the Unesco label, with the agency committee recognizing the merits of the region's unique architecture.

A listed historical monument, this museum houses an impressive collection of art.

This trail takes you from La Chaux-de-Fonds to the Ferme Modéle and runs along the Pouillerel mountain crest most of the way.

The Espacité Tower offers almost 360-degree views above the Old Town of La Chaux-de-Fonds.

La Semeuse welcomes groups of visitors wishing to discover the fascinating world of coffee and its many secrets.

This city is best explored on foot.

La Chaux-de-Fonds is like no other town. Located at an altitude of 1,000 metres and arranged as regularly as a chequerboard, the town is a fascinating blend of good urban planning and watch-making industry, which is why it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site.