A centre for watchmaking since the nineteenth century, Biel/Bienne is in modern times a hub for precision manufacture of specialised machinery and parts against a backdrop of breath-taking scenery and historical architecture.
Corporate travellers coming to serviced apartments in Biel/Bienne are visiting a town on the language border between French-speaking and German-speaking Switzerland. The town is thoroughly bilingual, its name being ‘Biel’ in German and ‘Bienne’ in French. Up until 2005, the town was known by its German name before it was changed to include both.
As well as being more recently known for its rather unique naming convention, the town is probably best identified as being the world capital for watchmaking. Swiss watches have long had the reputation of being the most well-made and reliable watches in the world, and the town of Biel/Bienne sits at the heart of this. The New Museum Biel includes a permanent exhibition on watchmaking, while famous watchmaking brand Omega have their own museum opposite their factory. Swatch also has its headquarters in the town.
Biel/Bienne lies on the Bielersee lake, and like many of Switzerland’s beautiful towns and cities has a wealth of historic sites. The Jura Mountains lie just to the north of Biel/Bienne, with a funicular railway providing access.
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