St Imie

The Basle to Lake Geneva route runs through the Vallon de St-Imier, the valley of the River Suze, to St-Imier (814 m/2,671ft; pop. 6,300), an important watchmaking capital, with a 12th C. Romanesque church and the Tour de la Reine Berthe, a remnant of the Romanesque church of St Martin. Cableway up the Mont Soleil (1,290 m/4,332ft). From here there is a direct road to Neuchâtel (30km/19mi), past Le Chasseral (1,610 m/5,282ft; hotel), from which there are beautiful panoramic views. The main road continues to La Chaux-de-Fonds.