Tourist attractions Saint-Imier

The highest point of the northern Jura, Le Chasseral (1 607m) offers fine views. Alongside the Hotel Chasseral, the culminating point of the trail, an orientation table permits identification of the Berne Alps, Valais Alps and Mont Blanc. This impres..

The Corniche is a wonderfully picturesque road that clings to the hillside on the left slope of the Vallée du Doubs. Over the course of a 3km circuit, you can peer into the depths of the gorges from some hundred metres up, with the best viewpoints ma..

Founded in 1902, this museum tells the story of how time was measured from Antiquity to the present day, with more than 3,000 valuable pieces from Switzerland or abroad. There is also a clock restoration centre, where you can see craftsmen at work, a..

At the southwestern end of Bienne Lake, Ile St-Pierre, now a peninsula since the water level dropped, is, just like the neighbouring Ile des Lapins, a nature reserve. In his Confessions , Rousseau mentions a pleasant stay here in 1765. You can easil..

A half hour's walk along a steep stony path takes you to the belvedere of Tête de Ran, where you can enjoy views of the Jura (Val de Ruz, Chasseral and Chaumont mountain ranges). Pine trees obscure the view to the northwest somewhat; however, most of..

The site evokes 50 000 years of Neuchâtel’s history with archaeological finds, terrestrial and underwater, excavated here and elsewhere in the region. Among the treasures on show in the informative archaeological museum are finds from the nearby La T..

On the 1st floor, the art section presents an overview of Swiss painting and some French Impressionists (donated by Amez-Droz). On the lower levels, there are around ten rooms with objects from daily life (costumes, toys, tapestries, furniture, bric-..

This contemporary art centre which stages innovative temporary exhibitions is located in two buildings: a former hospital and, since 2000, an immense cube-shaped and distinctly modern building designed by Diener & Diener. The volume and quality of th..

Recently restored and englarged, this museum contains not only work from local artists but other Swiss and foreign painters. Paintings by local artists Charles Humbert and Charles Edouard Jeanneret (Le Corbusier) hang on the ground floor. Upstairs, n..

The charming Église St Antoine boasts a wealth of rare furniture. Step inside and admire the superb polychrome stone Renaissance altarpiece , the remarkable pulpit with its dragon feature (19C), and the lecturn. There are also some lovely statues, i..

This unusual neo-Gothic building (1897-1906) was listed in 1986 and extensively restored; its walls and ceilings are in artificial stone to which has been added coloured cement, hence its name: the “red church”. Another original feature is the contin..

Between the Town Hall (1788), a classic building by the architect Pâris, and the collegiate and castle, this district contains many old houses, 16 and 17C fountains and city wall towers. On Place des Halles stand 17C and Renaissance houses "Des ..

The 12-13C collegiate, with its roof of varnished tiles, saw several changes in the 16 and 19C. The chevet is Romanesque, as is row of arcades in the 15C cloister. A statue of William Farel, who encouraged the people of Neuchâtel to adopt the Reform,..

Made up of collections from discoveries by Colonel Scwab (1803-1869), a precursor of the archaeological digs in the region, this museum contains the most famous examples from Switzerland's lake period. There are also objects from the Gallo-Roman reso..

Housed in a late 19C villa and surrounded by a park, this museum contains permanent collections with objects from Africa and Oceania. On the 1st floor, apart from the reconstructed cabinet of Gen Charles Daniel de Meuron (1738-1806), the great voyage..

With its many fountains, streets such as Obergasse lined with houses with arcades or Burgundy buildings and facades with wrought iron coats of arms, the old town of Bienne is a pleasant place. The district is arranged around the Ring, a charming squa..

Rebuilt in the Gothic period, restored in 1915, this very old building is surrounded by tombs from the 17 and 18C. The interior contains other sculpted tombstones, a fine pulpit from 1536 and interesting remains of 14C frescos in brown tones.

This museum is housed in an old nobleman's house that is also home to the local council. Here you will find a fine collection of pieces and medals with cameos of Swiss or foreign personalities, as well as a number of reconstructions of 17-19C local h..

On the 2nd floor of the Grande Poste, this museum houses an interesting collection of stuffed animals from both Switzerland and more exotic locations (mainly Africa). Dioramas present the various species in their natural habitat. One room, devoted to..

Housed in a farm dating back to 1612 with a few Gothic elements from the original building (1507), this museum reconstructs the lifestyle of wealthy countrymen from the 17C. On the first Sunday of each month, lacemakers work in front of visitors. A t..