Town
The city of Biel
As the largest bilingual city in Switzerland, Biel offers a unique atmosphere, combining urban life, cultural diversity, and innovation.
Zentralplatz, Biel. © Tourismus Biel Seeland | Stefan Weber
Biel – Switzerland’s Largest Bilingual City
Located on the shores of Lake Biel, Biel combines urban life, cultural diversity, and innovation. As Switzerland’s largest bilingual city, it offers a unique atmosphere where German and French coexist harmoniously. This cultural blend shapes daily life and also inspires the city’s thriving art and music scene, which can be experienced at institutions such as the Kunshaus Biel, the P32796Neues Museum Biel (NMB), as well as in numerous galleries and concert venues.
Biel’s bilingualism has its roots in the watchmaking industry. In the mid-19th century, many Jura-based watchmakers found work in the city, bringing the French language along. Today, Biel remains home to major brands such as Omega and Swatch. The Cité du Temps, which houses the museums of both brands, offers fascinating insights into the history of these world-renowned watchmakers.
Often perceived as an industrial city, Biel surprises visitors with its charming Old Town, where small shops, cozy restaurants, and lively markets create an authentic atmosphere. Every month, First Friday transforms the streets into a vibrant stage for art, music, and culinary delights. But Biel is not only about history—it also holds an unexpected architectural gem. While the Old Town reflects medieval charm, the New Town is characterized by numerous Bauhaus buildings, a feature that remains largely unknown. In fact, Biel has the highest concentration of Bauhaus-style architecture outside of Tel Aviv, making it a captivating destination where visitors can immerse themselves in both history and modernity.
Located on the shores of Lake Biel, Biel combines urban life, cultural diversity, and innovation. As Switzerland’s largest bilingual city, it offers a unique atmosphere where German and French coexist harmoniously. This cultural blend shapes daily life and also inspires the city’s thriving art and music scene, which can be experienced at institutions such as the Kunshaus Biel, the P32796Neues Museum Biel (NMB), as well as in numerous galleries and concert venues.
Biel’s bilingualism has its roots in the watchmaking industry. In the mid-19th century, many Jura-based watchmakers found work in the city, bringing the French language along. Today, Biel remains home to major brands such as Omega and Swatch. The Cité du Temps, which houses the museums of both brands, offers fascinating insights into the history of these world-renowned watchmakers.
Often perceived as an industrial city, Biel surprises visitors with its charming Old Town, where small shops, cozy restaurants, and lively markets create an authentic atmosphere. Every month, First Friday transforms the streets into a vibrant stage for art, music, and culinary delights. But Biel is not only about history—it also holds an unexpected architectural gem. While the Old Town reflects medieval charm, the New Town is characterized by numerous Bauhaus buildings, a feature that remains largely unknown. In fact, Biel has the highest concentration of Bauhaus-style architecture outside of Tel Aviv, making it a captivating destination where visitors can immerse themselves in both history and modernity.
Good to know
Good to know
- An intact old town with a beautiful town hall, gothic town church dating from the 15th century, various fountains and beautiful signposts.
- Pasquart – a very attractive art museum for contemporary sculpture, graphic art and photography; renovated in 2000 and extended with a new building designed by Basle architects Diener & Diener.
- The architecturally impressive Congress Centre offers excellent facilities for major international congresses, meetings and seminars.
- After Tel Aviv, Biel is one of the cities with the highest concentration of Bauhaus style buildings in the world.
Town
Town
Biel's old town
Famous for its charming alleys, beautiful facades and venerable corporate houses, the old town is a privileged place in the heart of the city of Biel.
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Museum
Museum
Museums in Biel
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