La Chaux-de-Fonds

The third-largest town in francophone Switzerland with its 38,000 inhabitants, situated at 1,000 metres, La Chaux-de-Fonds is the cradle of the clock and watch making industry and home to “Le Corbusier”, Blaise Cendrars and Louis Chevrolet.

If the great fire that ravaged the town in 1794 gave an impetus to the famous “chequer board construction” of the town, it is the fabulous growth of the clock and watch-making industry in 1830 that is responsible for the treasures of La Chaux-de-Fonds. Painted stairwells, stained glass windows, Art Nouveau or Heimatstil buildings, residential mansions from the beginning of the 20^th century side by side with workshops of the same period, an Italian theatre and of course, the works of “Le Corbusier”: the Villa Turque or the Maison Blanche. Recognized as a site of national importance, La Chaux-de-Fonds is considered to be the most representative 19^th century urban complex of Switzerland. If you are coming for the first time, make a point of going to the top of the Tour Espacité from where you will able to appreciate the rectilinear layout of this chequer board town and its houses and gardens. Stroll through the streets, the Doubs, the Nord and the rue de la Paix; discover the magnificent Art Nouveau buildings such as the Ancien Manège and don’t forget to visit the internationl watch and clock museum (town website: www.chaux-de-fonds.ch).