Welcome to La Chaux-de-Fonds
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In La Chaux-de-Fonds, innovation goes hand in hand with history, and every street corner tells a story of creativity and genius.
An exceptional living environment
Perched at an altitude of 1,000 meters, La Chaux-de-Fonds fascinates with its unique watchmaking urban planning, structured in a checkerboard pattern and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2009. This city, shaped by and for the watchmaking industry, combines functionality and aesthetics. Its wide, straight streets, designed to optimize light in the workshops, are a testament to its ingenuity. It is here that Art Nouveau architecture rubs shoulders with modernist buildings, including those by Le Corbusier, a native of the region. This unique heritage creates a rare harmony between industry, art, and urban planning.
Surrounded by nature and nestled in the heart of the Neuchâtel mountains, La Chaux-de-Fonds offers an exceptional natural setting, perfect for walks and enchanting views. Located among the highest cities in Europe, it invites you to reach for the sky. Climb the Espacité Tower or explore the city on a guided tour to discover this unique heritage.
A rich and vibrant cultural life
La Chaux-de-Fonds is distinguished by its rich and dynamic cultural life, notably driven by the famous La Plage des Six Pompes festival, which each summer transforms the city into an open-air stage, attracting artists and spectators from all walks of life. Among the flagship institutions, the International Museum of Horology and the Museum of Fine Arts, housed in a building designed by Le Corbusier, illustrate the importance of history and art in the city.
The Théâtre de la Ville, with its neo-Baroque architecture, and the music hall, renowned for its exceptional acoustics, enrich La Chaux-de-Fonds' cultural offerings. Club 44, a true intellectual hub, offers debates and conferences that stimulate reflection on social issues. Finally, the cafés, bistros, and art galleries add a friendly touch to this atmosphere, making the city a place of exchange and cultural discovery.
Did you know?
La Chaux-de-Fonds has been the birthplace of several iconic figures. Among them is Le Corbusier, one of the greatest architects and urban planners of the 20th century, known worldwide for his modernist works. The city is also the birthplace of Blaise Cendrars, an avant-garde writer and poet, and Louis-Joseph Chevrolet, founder of the famous American automobile brand. These figures, each in their own fields, have left their mark on history and contributed to our city's international reputation.