natural wonder
Creux du Van
A vast natural rock amphitheatre with vertical 160m cliffs, a wild ridge-walk in the Jura.
20 km · about 25 min drive
EuropeSwitzerlandNeuchâtel
La Chaux-de-Fonds
Neuchâtel, Switzerland · Europe
About La Chaux-de-Fonds
La Chaux-de-Fonds is worth a stop: 15 minutes from Fontainemelon, 20km from Creux du Van.
La Chaux-de-Fonds is in Neuchâtel, Switzerland, with about 38,000 people. You drive on the right here. The nearest town is Fontainemelon, about 7 km away.
La Chaux-de-Fonds (French: [la ʃodəfɔ̃]; archaic German: Schalu; Arpitan: La Châls) is a Swiss town and municipality in the canton of Neuchâtel. It is located in the Jura Mountains at an altitude of 992 metres, a few kilometres south of the French border. After Geneva, Lausanne, Biel/Bienne, and Fribourg, it is theRead more
fifth-largest city in the Romandie, the French-speaking part of the country, with a population (as of December 2020) of 36,915.
The city was founded in 1656. Its growth and prosperity are mainly bound up with watchmaking. It is the most important centre of the watch-making industry in the area known as the Watch Valley. Partially destroyed by a fire in 1794, La Chaux-de-Fonds was rebuilt following a grid street plan, which was and is still unique among Swiss cities, the only exception being the easternmost section of the city, which was spared by the fire. It creates an exciting and obvious transition from the old section to the newer section. The roads in the original section are very narrow and winding and open to the grid pattern near the town square. The famous architect Le Corbusier, the mathematician Armand Borel, the writer Blaise Cendrars, and the carmaker Louis Chevrolet were born there. La Chaux-de-Fonds is a renowned centre of Art Nouveau.
In 2009, La Chaux-de-Fonds and Le Locle, its sister city, were jointly awarded UNESCO World Heritage status for their exceptional universal value.
Where to Stay in La Chaux-de-Fonds
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near La Chaux-de-Fonds?
Within an hour or so of La Chaux-de-Fonds: Creux du Van (20 km), Musée de l'Aventure Peugeot (46 km), Circuit Bremgarten (47 km), Bern Old Town (50 km).
Are there any good drives near La Chaux-de-Fonds?
The nearest famous roads are Circuit Bremgarten, Gurnigel Pass and Jaun Pass.
Where is La Chaux-de-Fonds?
La Chaux-de-Fonds is in Neuchâtel, Switzerland, about 7 km from Fontainemelon.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 37,942
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- Switzerland
- Region
- Neuchâtel
- Timezone
- Europe/Zurich
- Coordinates
- 47.0999, 6.8259
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in Switzerland
Motorway vignette (toll sticker) required: buy at the border or online. Roadside assistance (TCS): 140.
Full driving guide for SwitzerlandTags
Worth the detour from La Chaux-de-Fonds
5 notable places within an hour's drive.
museum
Musée de l'Aventure Peugeot
Peugeot's corporate museum tracing the brand's journey from pepper mills and bicycles to modern automobiles.
46 km · about 55 min drive
historic highway
Circuit Bremgarten
The 7.3km forest circuit outside Bern where racing ended after Switzerland banned circuit motorsport in 1955. Its dappled, constantly curving roads through the Bremgartenwald are open to traffic and eerily unchanged.
47 km · about 55 min drive
landmark
Bern Old Town
Switzerland's UNESCO-listed capital, a medieval gem with 6 kilometres of arcaded walkways, the Zytglogge clock tower, and bear park.
50 km · about 60 min drive
landmark
Kaufdorf VW Beetle Graveyard
Atmospheric forest clearing filled with rusting classic Volkswagen Beetles, a pilgrimage site for VW enthusiasts.
51 km · about 60 min drive
Driving roads near La Chaux-de-Fonds
6 named roads, passes and coastal drives within 100km.
- 47 kmCircuit BremgartenThe 7.3km forest circuit outside Bern where racing ended after Switzerland banned circuit motorsport in 1955. Its dappled, constantly curving roads through the Bremgartenwald are open to traffic and eerily unchanged.
- 62 kmGurnigel PassA quiet ridge road in the Bernese Prealps with a long panorama over the Stockhorn chain.
- 68 kmLavaux Vineyard TerracesUNESCO-listed terraced vineyards cascading down to Lake Geneva, cultivated since the 11th century with spectacular views of the Alps.
- 69 kmJaun PassA friendly pass linking the Gruyère region to the Simmental, open all year and lined with chalet villages.
Driving in Switzerland
- Drives on
- the right
- Petrol
- ~€1.82/litre
- Motorway tolls
- None
- Vignette
- Required, around €42 for a short-stay sticker
When to drive here
April to October
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