Biel-Bienne - The Watch Making Town

Very close by, the Lake Biel and the Jura Mountain Massif offer excellent day trip possibilities. Bern, the capital of Switzerland is only one half hour away.

Approximately three fifth of its 53,000 inhabitants are German- and the other two fifth are French speaking. However, both language groups and cultures get along amazingly well.It became actually bilingual through the cultural of French watch makers that relocated here a few hundred years ago. Much earlier, the prince's abbot of the city of Basel actually founded the town around 1220 but it didn't become part of the Canton of Bern until 1815.

The relocation of French watchmakers also goes back to the cultural double-track of the city, which was founded around 1220 by the prince-abbot of Basel. In spite of attempts to join Bern and the confederation, Biel remained until 1792 dependent of its successors. It wasn't until 1815 that the city joined the Canton of Bern.

This pretty city is most certainly not just a modern industrial center, but it boasts also a picturesque medieval town and has a beautiful lake right beside it.

Biel Attractions

Old Town

The small beautiful Old Town is divided. At the "Burgplatz" which has an open market on Tue., Thu. and Sat. stands the theatre. Also at the Burgplatz is the late-gothic city hall (1534) and in front of the city hall is the justice fountain from 1714.

One of the fountains dates back to 1546. The castle lane heads to the "Ring", an atmospheric place surrounded by bower houses and the theatre that once served as an armory (1591).

The late-gothic reformed town church St. Benedict (1492) possesses glass windows and wall paintings from the construction time. At the former inn "Zur Krone" reminds a board of the visit of Goethe in 1779. At the "Place Rosius" can still be seen parts of the castle which was destroyed in 1387. At the place also stands the time bell tower of 1843 and the engineer's school.

The Neuhaus Museums

If you walk to the direction of the lake, you come to the "museum mile". From the big India material printer from the middle of the 18th-century arose the "museum Neuhaus". It shows the housing tradition of the 19th-century and collections of animal- and plant aquarelles of the painter's family Robert Walser. The museum also shows the exposition of Karl and Robert Walser, which document the relation rich tension of the artist brothers who are born in Biel/Bienne.

The Neuhaus Museum is located at Schlüsspromenade 26 and is open Tue. - Sun. from 11:00 - 17:00.

The Museum Schwab

The museum Schwab is dedicated to the pre- and early history. This museum is at Seevorstadt 50 and is open Tue. - Sat. from 14:00 - 18:00, Sun. 11:00 - 17:00. Contemporary Swiss art is to be seen in the Centre Pasquart right beside the museum Schwab. The Seevorstadt (lake suburb) lined by trees further leads to the beach ground and to the leisure equipment at the lake.

If you are a watch fan, you may not let out the Museum Omega situated at the Stämpflistrasse 96. Please be advised that you have to register at 032 34392 11 before visiting this Museum Omega. The castle in the neighboring town of Nidau, today seat of the district administration, was once a splendid water castle (before 1196) of the counts of Nidau.

Taubenloch-schlucht (Gorge)

It is worthwhile the walk (about 45 min.) from the northern suburb Bözingen through the dramatic-picturesque scenery of the "Taubenlochschlucht" to the town of Frinvillier. Use the train or bus to get back to Bözingen.

Restaurants in Biel-Bienne

Biel-Bienne doesn't have any top restaurants as does for example the region of Lac Léman (Lake Geneva) has.

We tried two in the city of Biel-Bienne. This is what we thought about these restaurants.

Restaurant Le Citron
Le Citron was once the best restaurant of this region. A few years ago, a new manager and a chef arrived. However, as of today it limps furthermore behind in mediocrity before itself. This showed already with the "hors-d'oeuvres" and the otherwise absolutely satisfactory "Foie-gras-Terrine", which came too cold and without toast on the table.

Opera Prima
Toni and Rosanna Lardo are doing the right thing by using absolutely freshly prepared top products, which are than cooked in the best Italian tradition. Thus became also spaghetti with tomatoes and herbs a real pleasure. Persuasive is also the "Fettine di vitello", thin, rather sharply spicy meat pieces, which were served with Rucola and black truffles. Only with the desert, it didn't work out completely.

Hotels in Biel-Bienne

Elite Art Deco Hotel
The Elite Art Deco is just steps from the train station in the center of Biel-Bienne. Sorry, but this city doesn't have any 5-star hotels. Anyway, the Elite Art Deco has been completely redecorated and newly furbished and passes the standard of a 4-star hotel. It is fairly small with only 74 rooms, but offers also conference- and banqueting facilities for up to 250 persons with top technical equipment.

Mercure Hotel Plaza
The Mercure Plaza is a good and modern business type hotel. The thing you will notice is the friendly reception at the front desk from a Dutch lady called Anna. I can't say that with all their staff. The rooms are clean and comfortable but some of them are a bit small. The hotel is located in a quiet residential area within walking distance to the Lake of Biel and the well preserved medieval district.

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