Find ancient fountains and buildings and enjoy the pleasant mix of language and culture in this French/German spot in Switzerland.
The Old Town of Biel/Bienne is a charming 800-year-old Swiss neighborhood. Stroll around its Ring and other squares while listening to locals intermixing French and German languages. The German town of Biel was founded near Lake Biel in the early 13th century, with French residents calling the village Bienne. After centuries of wars, plague, witchcraft and typhus, the Swiss town was officially given the name of Biel/Bienne.
Look for the Old Town’s interesting fountains repainted in original bright colors. Engelsbrunnen is an angel cuddling a lamb, protecting it from a bright green devil. Gerechtigkeitsbrunnen features a brightly painted statue of blind Lady Justice holding a scale.
In the Ring, find Venner Brunnen, the Fountain of the Banner Carrier, constructed in the mid 1500s. Dine al fresco at a restaurant here. Gaze up at five-story pastel buildings, some with stepped rooflines. Peek inside the Temple Allemand, completed in 1470.
Attend opera, comedy, dance, symphony or children’s entertainment at Stadttheater/Théâtre Municipale. TOBS is the Theater Orchester Biel Solothurn or Theatre Orchestre Bienne Soleure and presents plays, opera, symphonies and dance. Enjoy intimate performances at the Théâtre de Poche in a vaulted cellar.
Once the center for the city’s craft guilds, today the Old Town has boutiques featuring jewelry, artworks and musical instruments. Visit a brewery, coffeeshop, cakeshop or other restaurants and bistros.
Come in November for the Ring’s annual truffle market. Artisans hold markets here monthly, and flea markets occur twice monthly during warm weather.
Follow the tree-lined Seevorstadt to Lake Biel. Along the way, stop at Museum Schwab and Centre PasquArt. See the headquarters of the Swatch Group. Biel is a major Swiss watchmaking center.
Old Town is about a 5-minute drive north of the center of Biel/Bienne in the canton of Bern. Park along its eastern side. Alternatively, enjoy interesting city views by taking the Leubringenbahn funicular that leaves from the Bahnhof/Gare. Continue on the funicular toward the Jura Mountains.
