Situated in a high valley in the Jura, the town of La Chaux-de-Fonds (rebuilt on a regular plan after a fire in 1794) is the capital of the Swiss watchmaking industry, which was first established here about 1705 (several hundred firms: visitors can occasionally tour some of the establishments). The town is home of the Théâtre Populaire Romand, the only professional acting troupe of West Switzerland, and an important center of Esperanto.
La Chaux-de-Fonds was the birthplace of the Romantic painter Léopold Robert (1794-1835), of the famous pilot and automobile manufacturer Louis Chevrolet (1878-1941), the poet and writer Blaise Cendrars (Frédéric Sauser, 1887-1961) and the famous architect Charles-Edouard Jeanneret, better known as Le Corbusier (1887-1965).
The town of La Chaux-de-Fonds features illuminated ski trails, lifts from town, cross-country skiing, ski-bob run, indoor and outdoor ice rinks, tobogganing, and a ski school.
An interesting display of timekeeping mechanisms used throughout history is exhibited at the International Watch and Clock Museum. Old Watches and timepieces can be restored or repaired at the Museum's workshop.
Near La Chaux-de-Fonds at Col-des-Roches the underground river Bied was harnessed as far back as the 16th C. The mills built into the mountains processed flour, hemp and flax for 200 years before the water became necessary for the new electricity works. The mills were forgotten and fell into disrepair until they were restored in 1973 by a preservation society, with the aim of establishing the Musée National de la Meunerie.
Hours:
April 1 to October 31: am-am; Closed: Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri
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Watch and Clock Museum
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