La Chaux-de-Fonds is totally unlike any other town that I have visited … Perched at an altitude of 1000 meters, surrounded by meadows and pine forests, and as regular as a chessboard: I was drawn to this town right from the start. Brochure in hand, I learned that La Chaux-de-Fonds was totally destroyed by a fire in the 18th century, making way for a new town that was organised for the benefit of the watchmaking industry and the wellbeing of its population. It also became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2009 because of the way watchmaking has shaped its urban development. But it is equally proud to be the birthplace of Le Corbusier, and is a showpiece of Art nouveau."
Ines, student
Infos
Together with its neighbour, Le Locle, the town has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2009 because of the way watchmaking has shaped its urban development. Youthful works by Le Corbusier bear witness to the architect's burgeoning genius, and the town is also home to a host of Art nouveau treasures. Must see: the Watchmaking and Urban Development Exhibition (Espace de l'Urbanisme Horloger), the International Watchmaking Museum, Le Corbusier's White House (Maison blanche), and the Art nouveau stairwells and crematorium
Good to know
Tourisme neuchâtelois-Montagnes
Espacité 1
2302 La Chaux-de-Fonds
T. +41 (0) 32 889 68 95
www.neuchateltourisme.ch
