Visiting La Chaux-de-Fonds
Perched at an elevation of about 3,300 feet in the Jura mountains of Switzerland, La Chaux-de-Fonds sits near Neuchâtel. The city is a masterclass in urban planning. After a devastating fire in 1794, it was rebuilt on a grid system designed by Charles-Henri Junod. This layout was specifically crafted to support the local watchmaking industry, which remains a pillar of this part of Switzerland. It is also the hometown of the influential architect Le Corbusier, who left his mark here with several buildings, including the Maison Blanche, a home he designed for his parents.
The Watchmaking City of Switzerland
A portion of La Chaux-de-Fonds is inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site for its unique watchmaking urbanism. The entire city was reimagined at the end of the 18th century to optimize the craft. You can see this modern approach in the orientation of old workshops and the wide avenues designed to improve the flow of movement for workers. Think of it as an industrial-era version of a master-planned community.
La Chaux-de-Fonds is a stop on the Swiss Watch Route that winds through the Jura mountains between Geneva and Basel. For a deep dive into the design and history of the industry, head to the Musée International d'Horlogerie, which houses roughly 4,500 pieces dating from the 17th century to the present.
The city is also a hub for Art Nouveau, with many buildings dating to the early 20th century. Look for the local variation known as the "style sapin" (fir tree style), which incorporates motifs inspired by the local Jura flora and fauna.
Leisure in La Chaux-de-Fonds
For a cultural fix, visit the Musée des Beaux-Arts, which displays a collection of Swiss and international artists, including works by Matisse, Le Corbusier, Van Gogh, and Pissarro. The Quartier Général is an contemporary art center housed in the city's former slaughterhouses. Finally, the Musée Paysan et Artisanal offers a look at the life of the farming families who were the original clockmakers.
If you are traveling with family, do not miss the zoo du Bois du Petit-Château. It is a scenic, free-to-access nature space where you can wander among animals, reptiles, and amphibians in the vivarium. A small annex museum also features exhibits on African wildlife.
When to Visit
If you love snow, head to La Chaux-de-Fonds in winter. For the best weather to explore the city's sights, plan your trip between June and September.
Getting There
To reach La Chaux-de-Fonds, fly into Geneva and take a train to Neuchâtel before connecting to your final destination. Travelers coming from France should note that there is a direct regional train service connecting Besançon to La Chaux-de-Fonds in about 1 hour and 45 minutes.
We made a little detour to this town almost by accident. We were surprised by the richness of its heritage. The watchmaking museum reconstructs the history of the master watchmakers who settled in the region and will teach you a lot about the techniques that go into how our dear little watches and clocks actually work. La Maison Blanche, with its very unique architecture, is a creation of Le Corbusier, who was also from the area.
The town itself is full of charm, and it is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The region is very beautiful. To the north, the Parc Naturel du Doubs is splendid and easily accessible (it is still just mid-altitude mountains).