La Chaux-de-Fonds Attractions
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.
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.
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Watch and Clock Museum
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.
Hairdressing Museum
The Hairdressing Museum (Musée de la Coiffure) in Rue de la Balance has a notable collection on the subject of hair care.
Handicraft Museum
This local museum is contained in a 17th- century Neuchâtel farm house.
La Chaux-de-Fonds Musée Paysan et Artisanal
Les Eplatures-Grise 5
CH-2300 La Chaux-de-Fonds
Switzerland
Les Eplatures-Grise 5
CH-2300 La Chaux-de-Fonds
Switzerland
Hours
April 1 to October 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
November 1 to February 28
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
Always closed on:
New Year's Day (January 1)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Facilities
Gift shop
May Festival
This annual day-long festival takes place in late May. It signals the arrival of the Spring season and includes a parade.
Museum of Art and Ethnography
La Chaux-de-Fonds' Museum of Art and Ethnography is located at 33 Rue des Musées.
Museum of Fine Arts
The collection is comprised of paintings, prints sculptures, and drawings of 19th and 20th centuries.
Château de Coppet
Rue des Musées 33
CH-2300 La Chaux-de-Fonds
Switzerland
Rue des Musées 33
CH-2300 La Chaux-de-Fonds
Switzerland
Hours
September 1 to October 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 |
| Close | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 |
Always closed on:
New Year's Day (January 1)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Good Friday - Christian (Apr 06)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Good Friday - Christian (Apr 06)
Discounts on
Wednesday
Facilities
Gift shop
Restaurant or food service
Restaurant or food service
Natural History Museum
Local birds and mammals, marine life and African fauna can be seen in dioramas presenting the animals in their natural environment
La Chaux-de-Fonds Musée d'Histoire Naturelle
Avenue Léopold-Robert 63
CH-2300 La Chaux-de-Fonds
Switzerland
Avenue Léopold-Robert 63
CH-2300 La Chaux-de-Fonds
Switzerland
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | |
| Open | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
Always closed on:
New Year's Day (January 1)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Facilities
Gift shop
Restaurant or food service
Restaurant or food service
Protestant Church
La Chaux-de-Fonds' Protestant church, built in 1794 after plans by M. Perret-Gentil, was rebuilt in 1921 after a fire.
Watchmaking School
In La Chaux-de-Fond's Rue du Progrès is a Technical college, with a watchmaking school.
La Chaux-de-Fonds Surroundings
Col-des-Roches - Mill Museum
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
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | |||||||
| Close |
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