In 1916, returning from the East, Le Corbusier starts to build this villa ordered by Anatole Schwob, a rich manufacturer from La Chaux-de-Fonds.

The architect, only 29 years old, combines bricks and concrete to erect a revolutionary building. Not load-bearing walls but 16 pillars supporting 4 quadrangular slabs are used in a building designed harmoniously, with refined lines and generous curves used in the semi circular wings on each side.

Inside, the light is magical: coming through the southern glass wall and playing with the brightness of more discreet openings situated on the East and the West. You can access the upper floors from the huge central room. They house rooms with attachments such as a solarium and a roof garden.

This is the only early work claimed by the young architect. It gave him the opportunity to free himself from the «Art nouveau» influence of this era. It also marked the first of a series of troubles with the owner and has been the reason behind his move to Paris. Now taken over by the clockmaker Ebel who uses it as a PR centre, the Villa Turque is open to everyone on every first and third Saturday of the month.

Informations:

Villa Turque
Rue du Doubs 167 (locate)
2300 La Chaux-de-Fonds
www.ebel.com
Tél + 41 (0)32 912 31 47
Photo: Ebel

A « totale » masterpiece and an Art Nouveau manifesto of the Advanced Course in Art and Decoration from l'Ecole d'Art de La Chaux-de-Fonds, the Crematorium is, at the very least, a unique monument.

The entire decoration of this strange cube, which was unveiled in 1910, is intended to be a source of comfort to the family of the deceased. A veritable production combining allegorical mosaic with patterns of pine cones and flames so typical of the sapin style that was part of the golden days of Art Nouveau in the neuchâtelois mountains. A grandiose staircase symbolizing the soul rising, a maze of alleyways lined with granite walls and dense thuja hedges complement this construction which was designed by Charles L'Eplattenier.

The early work of Charles-Edouard Jeanneret known as «Le Corbusier», perched on top of La Chaux-de-Fonds, is remarkable for several reasons. Neo-classical in character, this house, built in 1912 for the architect's parents, breaks with the Art Nouveau of the region. In accordance with a concept which was later much imitated, the house consists only of exterior walls and four interior pillars. The centre of the house is given form by light-weight partitions that can be moved easily without significant expenditure. Neglected for many years despite its status as a historical monument, the building came back to life thanks to the passion of volunteers who worked to restore it over the course of five years. Today it is a house open to the public.

Informations: www.maisonblanche.ch
Guided visits : 10h - 17h, friday, saturday, sunday, every week-end
How to get there, click here
Photo : Eveline Perroud

Affectionately nicknamed the Bonbonnière for its mellowness and attractiveness, this theatre, which also serves as a music room, was built in the mid 19th century.

A ceiling originally painted in 1837 by the french artists Och and Chenillon, an « à l'italienne » concept with a stage-audience relationship that gives the theatre the ambience of a public place and allows comedy to take place everywhere. A theater which is now called the  « Heure bleue », which has hosted the biggest stars - Louis Jouvet, Maria Casarès, Jean Marais, Fernand Reynaud - and was, in 2001, completely renovated while preserving the original spirit of the building.

Contact et informations: www.heurebleue.ch 

L'Heure bleue
Avenue Léopold-Robert 27-29
2300 La Chaux-de-Fonds
Photo: CCA