At the Camille Bloch Visitor Centre, the production of Ragusa is presented from the perspective of a hazelnut—as a 4D cinema gaming experience unique in Switzerland. Courtelary combines this unusual chocolate theme with hiking trails, a long architectural history and insights into its former industry.
Chocolate from a different perspective
At the Visitor Centre, guests can watch the production lines in operation. They can also create their own chocolate: visitors can make Ragusa, Torino or liqueur chocolates themselves. Alongside a look at production, there are hands-on experiences involving different types of chocolate. As the current programme may change, it is advisable to check visitor arrangements and offerings before your trip.
Getting there is easy to plan: the Visitor Centre is a five-minute walk from Courtelary railway station. Trains on the Biel–La Chaux-de-Fonds line stop at the station. Check the current timetable for your journey to make sure this connection suits your plans.
Hiking between Courtelary and the Vallon de Saint-Imier
The Sentier du Vallon runs from Saint-Imier to Courtelary. The hiking route is 6.6 kilometres long and takes 1 hour and 35 minutes to walk. It is rated easy and is family-friendly. At the same time, it offers insights into the historical use of hydropower in the Vallon de Saint-Imier. The route therefore combines a manageable time commitment with a specific aspect of regional history. Check the latest information on the route and its rating before setting out.
For further walks, a municipal information notice from March 2023 cited approximately 15 kilometres of yellow-marked hiking trails running through the village and its surrounding heights. This should be understood as an approximate total; trail conditions may vary by season. The Suze offers another way to explore the landscape: it flows through Courtelary, rises near Les Convers and empties into Lake Biel. The river and the hiking trails are distinct features of the area; together, they show how Courtelary can be described both through specific routes and its distinctive relationship with water.
Church, castle and factory history
Courtelary’s historic church has Romanesque origins and dates back to the 10th or 11th century. Its history can be traced through several extensions, carried out in 1372, 1642 and 1773. During a restoration in 1933, 14th-century frescoes came to light. These dates show that the architectural history spans many centuries rather than being confined to a single period.
Courtelary Castle was built in 1606. Fourteen bailiffs succeeded one another there between 1606 and 1792. Another architectural landmark is the Heimatstil school building, dating from 1908. These buildings and dates offer different historical points of reference for a walk around Courtelary, without reducing the town’s history to a single building.
The former Langel factory is also part of the town’s industrial history. It opened in 1917; the last worker left the factory in 1997. Today, it can be visited as part of a guided tour. Advance booking with the tourism office is required for this tour throughout the year.
Fruit and juice from Courtelary
The Pressoir de Courtelary offers another local experience. Customers can bring apples, pears or quinces and, by appointment, receive fresh or pasteurised juice. An appointment is required and should be arranged before visiting. Fruit processing thus complements the themes of chocolate, hiking and architectural history with a tangible insight into local food production.
When looking for a hotel in Courtelary, the main focus of your trip can be a useful starting point: would you most like to enjoy the chocolate offerings, go hiking, or discover the historic buildings and industrial heritage? The area’s different attractions give you the opportunity to shape your stay around your own interests.
Discover more destinations: Plagne, Cormoret, Mont-Tramelan, Renan, Péry, Villeret Be, Sonvilier, La Ferrière Be, Cortébert, St-Imier, Orvin, Courtelary.
Go to the regional travel overview: Bern.
