Biel/Bienne

Biel/Bienne is a municipality in Canton of Bern that spreads along the northwestern shore of Lake Biel, bringing together an old town with winding lanes and outlying industrial quarters. The town center sits at about 430 meters elevation, while residential areas climb gentle slopes and reach wooded hills.

A medieval settlement grew here in the 11th century under the rule of the Bishop of Basel, who granted town rights in 1275. During the 19th century, watchmakers from the Jura mountains moved in and turned the place into a center of Swiss watch production, shaping the economy that still defines it.

Bilingualism shapes everyday life as residents switch between German and French depending on who they talk to, and many families speak both languages at home. Shop signs, menus, and street names always appear side by side in both languages, so visitors notice this parallel use everywhere.

The main train station sits in the center and offers connections to all major Swiss cities, while local buses run to museums, factories, and the lakeside walk. The old town is easy to explore on foot, and paths from the lake lead along the shore toward nearby vineyards.

The town holds the second-largest collection of Bauhaus buildings outside Germany, including houses and factories from the 1920s and 1930s that are still occupied and in use. Many of these structures line wide streets in the western part of town, showing clean lines, flat roofs, and large window areas.