Biel Attractions
This bilingual town (Biel in German, Bienne in French), with two-thirds of its inhabitants speaking German and one-third French, is the capital of the Swiss watchmaking industry. Several hundred small and medium-sized firms are engaged in the manufacture of watches and watch parts in the town, which is also a place of considerable commercial activity. The residential districts are mainly on the lower slopes of the Jura hills, which here slope down to the lake. In recent years the town has also made a name for itself as a convention capital.
The town was founded about 1220 by the Prince-Abbot of Basle and remained under the rule of successive Prince-Abbots until 1792. From 1798 to 1815 it belonged to France; thereafter it was incorporated in the canton of Berne and is now the second largest town in the canton.
The town was founded about 1220 by the Prince-Abbot of Basle and remained under the rule of successive Prince-Abbots until 1792. From 1798 to 1815 it belonged to France; thereafter it was incorporated in the canton of Berne and is now the second largest town in the canton.
Society of Arts
From the upper town of Biel the Burggässli leads to the Ring, a square surrounded by arcaded houses. The old Zunfthaus der Waldleute (Guild-House of the Foresters, 1559-61) is now occupied by the Kunnstverein (Society of Arts). The Late Gothic parish church (1451-92: Protestant) has 15th C. stained glass and wall-paintings.
Congress Hall
To the south of Biel's Schwab museum are the railroad station and the modern Congress Hall in the Zentralstrasse (1961-66: swimming pool).
Inn Zur Krone (Goethe tablet)
In Biel's Obergasse are the 16th C. Angel fountain and the former inn Zur Krone (1578-82), with a tablet commemorating Goethe's stay there in 1779.
Lake Bienne - Boat excursions
Three-lake trip (Lake Bienne, Lake Neuchâtel and Lake Morat) at a special price with lunch; visit to St Peter's Island; trip on the River Aare from Bienne to Solothurn. Special features include breakfast and fondue trips.
Omega Museum (clock collection)
The Omega Museum in Biel has a clock collection ranging from the first watches to NASA's latest time measuring equipment.
Musée Omega
Rue J Stämpfli 96
CH-2502 Biel
Switzerland
Rue J Stämpfli 96
CH-2502 Biel
Switzerland
Rosiusplatz clock tower (moat)
In Biel's Rosiusplatz are towers and part of a moat belonging to the old fortifications, the old Clock tower (rebuilt on this site in 1843) and the Technikum (Technical College).
Schwab Museum
In Biel's Seevorstadt, a street running down to the lake, is the Schwab Museum, with material of the prehistoric period (lake-dwellings), Iron Age and Roman period.
Town Hall (Theater)
The upper town of Biel with its historic old buildings is well preserved. In the Burgplatz are the Late Gothic Rathaus Town Hall: (built 1530-34, renovated 1676) and the Theater, originally the armory (1589- 91); in front of the Rathaus stands the Justice fountain (1714).
Biel Surroundings
Read More
Magglingen (Macolin)
2.5km/2mi from Biel on the Delémont road (No. 6) a narrow road branches off on the left and in 4.5km/3mi reaches Magglingen (French Macolin: alt. 875 m/2,871ft; pop. 2,700), with the Federal School of Gymnastics and Sport; easy hill-walking in the surrounding area. There are cableways from Biel to Magglingen (length 1,694 m/5,558ft, time nine minutes) and to Leubringen/Evilard (length 933 m/3,061ft, time six minutes).
Taubenlochschlucht Gorge
In the Taubenlochschlucht, a gorge 2km/1mi east of the outlying district of Bözingen, the folding of the strata caused by the geological upheavals of the past can be observed in the rock face.
Attractions in Other Popular Destinations
