We plan to spend 4 nights in the Bernese Oberland and then on too places unknown. My brother wants to go to the Vallee de Joux as he lived there for a year but it is pretty far from the BO and Zurich where we fly in and out of. Any one have any experience in this area? Points of interest, recommended place to visit, small romantic villages, hiking, castles? We would like to stay away from big cities and crowds as best we can. Any advise you may have is greatly appreciated
Posted by
Green Bay
21139 posts
This is a fairly remote corner of Switzerland, not in the Alps but in the Jura Mountains. It is not on the standard tourist circuit. So in answer to your question, yes, your brother was there. Since everyone wants a new "Back Door", maybe this is it. No big cities here. It does seem to be the place of origin and manufacture of many high end watch brands, like Audemars Piguet and Patek-Philippe. It has some low key ski resorts, lakes, forests. must be plenty of hiking as it is in a nature reserve. It is about 4 hours from Interlaken by train, and 4 hours from Zurich Airport by train and post bus. I say go. It might be paradise.
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
I would want to see what my brother was up to for that year.
Posted by
Santa Barbara, CA, USA
177 posts
The clunic Romainmôtier Abbey is stunning and part of the Swiss Heritage Sites.
Le Sentier has an interesting watch museum. You can also visit the Vallorbe Caves that stretch over 2 miles.
The Vallee de Joux was a refuge for Huguenots fleeing persecution in France. They brought their watch making abilities to the area.