This industrial Swiss city earned UNESCO recognition for its Art Nouveau buildings and watchmaking legacy. Its museums, art galleries and parks make it an interesting cultural stop.
La Chaux-de-Fonds sits at 992 meters in Switzerland's Jura Mountains, where you'll find streets laid out in a precise grid pattern filled with 19th-century watchmaking workshops. Walk past the geometric Villa Turque designed by Le Corbusier, explore the International Museum of Watch Making with its 4,500 timepieces, or admire the neo-Byzantine Synagogue on Rue du Parc. The city's unique urban planning earned it UNESCO World Heritage status alongside its neighbor Le Locle.
Getting to La Chaux-de-Fonds
You can reach La Chaux-de-Fonds by train through six railway stations. The main station in the city center runs frequent services to Biel/Bienne, Neuchâtel, and Lausanne. While the mountain location remains accessible year-round, expect longer travel times during snowy winter conditions.
Watchmaking Museums and Culture
At the International Museum of Watch Making (Musée International d'Horlogerie), you can examine more than 4,500 timepieces. Interactive displays demonstrate the technical evolution of watchmaking, with working models you can operate. The Gallet family funded the building's construction in 1899, reflecting the deep connection between local families and the watchmaking industry.
Le Corbusier's Architecture
You can visit two buildings by local architect Le Corbusier in La Chaux-de-Fonds. The Villa Turque (Villa Schwob), built between 1912 and 1916, demonstrates his early work with geometric forms and concrete construction. La Maison Blanche, which he designed at age 25 for his parents, marks his first independent project.
Art Nouveau Buildings
The Art Nouveau movement left its mark on the city's architecture in the late 1800s. The neo-Byzantine Synagogue on Rue du Parc (1894-1896) reflects the influence of Jewish watchmakers in the city. The main railway station, completed in 1904, incorporates decorative elements typical of Art Nouveau style.
The City's Urban Design
After a fire destroyed much of the city in 1794, planners rebuilt La Chaux-de-Fonds using a grid pattern similar to Manhattan. Streets run parallel to the valley, with workshops integrated into residential buildings. This design maximized natural light for watchmakers and made snow clearing more efficient.
Mountains and Nature
The Jura Mountains surrounding the city have marked hiking trails for all skill levels. You can drive one hour to reach the Creux du Van, a natural rock amphitheater with vertical cliffs. In winter, temperatures in the nearby La Brévine valley can drop to some of Switzerland's lowest readings, leading to its nickname "Switzerland's Siberia." The Etang de la Gruère moorland lake has paths winding through peat bogs and pine forests.
