After being in the Interlaken area,Bern and Lucerne wanted to explore western potion of the country. Any ideas? Looking at Neuchatel, Biel and Basel. LeChaux de Fonds? Best spot to purchase a Swiss made watch? Walt
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Santa Barbara, CA, USA
177 posts
I realize it is an old topic but anyway I am sure you are still in the planning phase. I probably would not go to La Chaux-de-Fonds. It is interesting because it was purpose (re)built to be a "city-factory" during the industrial revolution but it is not a touristic spot.
Biel is an industrial city with a very small old town. Neuchâtel has an interesting history as it was bizarrely ruled by the King of Prussia.
I personally would concentrate more on Lausanne, the Lavaux vineyards, Gruyères, and the Chillon Castle. I also like very much Basel. You could also consider Schaffhausen and the Rhine falls. A bit further is lovely Stein-am-Rhein.
If you want to see a watch making region, consider the Vallée de Joux that is not very far from Lausanne, and the birthplace of the most famous Swiss watch factories (Audemars Piguet, Blancpain, Vacheron Constantin, Jaeger-LeCoultre etc... all founded by industrious Huguenots). There is a great watch museum at Le Sentier.
"Best spot to purchase a Swiss made watch?"
Probably Hong-Kong or Singapore if price is the main consideration... But consider also the duty free section at the Geneva or Zurich airport. Most of the historical watch makers have museums that are very interesting but they don't sell directly.