Urban planning and watchmaking go hand in hand

The UNESCO-listed ensemble “La Chaux-de-Fonds / Le Locle, Watchmaking Town Planning” shows just how closely urban planning and watchmaking are connected. It was planned after major fires at the beginning of the 19th century. Its open layout is arranged in parallel bands, linking homes and workshops. The watchmaking culture that shaped this relationship dates back to the 17th century and continues to this day. Looking at the cityscape brings two questions together: how was La Chaux-de-Fonds laid out, and what role did watchmaking play?

Another turning point was the fire of 5 May 1794. La Chaux-de-Fonds was then rebuilt with a rational, rectangular street grid. Later extensions in a checkerboard pattern provided optimal lighting for watchmaking workshops, which were mostly located in buildings with a south-east orientation. The street grid and the workspaces are therefore important aspects of the city’s history.

Architecture, style and city history

Villa Fallet is an architectural manifesto of the “Style sapin” and was built between 1906 and 1907. Its plans were designed by Charles-Edouard Jeanneret, later known as Le Corbusier, under the supervision of architect René Chapallaz. The “Sapin” style is a version 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 villa gives this history of the style a tangible architectural expression.

Villa Fallet is open to the public on several Sundays each year from 10 am to 5 pm; a free guided tour is offered at 11 am. Check the agenda before your visit to find a suitable date. At Maison Blanche, individual visits are possible without prior reservation. A brochure is available to borrow for a self-guided tour. Visitor information may change, so check the current access conditions there in advance.

The Monumental Fountain also tells the story of the city’s development: it was built in 1888 as La Chaux-de-Fonds’ first decorative monument and celebrated the arrival of running water.

Museums between watchmaking and nature

The Musée international d’horlogerie has more than 10,000 objects, as well as historical and audiovisual archives and documents. You can watch watchmakers at work in the restoration workshop. Check the current access conditions before your trip. The Musée d’histoire de La Chaux-de-Fonds organizes its collections into five main areas: prints, postcards and photographs; numismatics; weapons and uniforms; furniture; and everyday objects.

At the Musée paysan et artisanal, the focus is on specific interiors: a kitchen devoted to the hearth, a wood-panelled bedroom that also served as a workspace and living area, and a watchmaker’s workshop with a large window. The Musée des beaux-arts is in the city centre, a five-minute walk from La Chaux-de-Fonds railway station.

At MUZOO, the permanent exhibition “Plan B” presents biodiversity and the threats it faces. The vivarium offers a glimpse into the world of reptiles and amphibians through 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. Exhibitions and displays may be updated, so check the current offerings before your visit.

Routes and culinary discoveries

For a walk through the city, the La Chaux-de-Fonds brochure suggests a 45-minute route through the historic centre and a two-hour route to Le Corbusier’s Villa Turque. Nearby, the Chemin des 7 abeilles offers walking trails of about 1.5 to 3 hours, with lovely viewpoints overlooking the city. The timings make it easy to compare options: from a short walk in the centre, to the route to Villa Turque, to longer walks with views of the city. Check trail conditions before your outing.

The Food Tour La Chaux-de-Fonds is a gastronomic city walk that combines tasting stops with architectural discoveries. It includes a cheese board with a glass of wine at Maison du Fromage Chez Sterchi, as well as a burger or a dish of the day with a glass of wine at Restaurant l’Union du Théâtre. At Café du Coin, you can have coffee or tea. At Marijs'sSweetys, a takeaway cupcake is included, or, on Saturdays, a pastry from Le Panetier. A vegetarian version of the main course is available. Participating venues may change, so check the current tour details in advance.

Discover more destinations: La Chaux-De-Fonds, La Sagne, Le Locle, Val-De-Ruz, Boudry, Neuchâtel, Val-De-Travers.

Return to the main travel overview: Neuchâtel.