UNESCO World Heritage

La Chaux-de-Fonds / Le Locle, Watchmaking Town Planning

Two towns that tick alike

The towns of La Chaux-de-Fonds and Le Locle, situated in the Jura mountains of the Canton of Neuchâtel, bear witness to the successful symbiosis between their urban setting and their watchmaking industry. After suffering devastating fires, their reconstruction in the early 19th century was carefully planned. The chequerboard design of the roads and constructions was specifically adapted to the requirements of the thriving industry. Many of the buildings displayed a well-thought-out combination of living quarters, production areas and offices. Today, they are a testimony to the history of local craftsmanship and industry. The fact that the region is still an important international watchmaking centre is proven by the many well-known watch brands which have their headquarters here.

Factsheet
Date of Inscription

2009

Criteria of Inscription

iv

Category

Cultural Heritage

Region

Neuchâtel

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Visitor centre
La Chaux-de-Fonds / Le Locle
A fantastic multimedia space dedicated to the Watchmaking town planning. The ideal place to unravel the secrets of this UNESCO World Heritage site: a multimedia ...
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Guided tour
La Chaux-de-Fonds / Le Locle
Comfortably explore the connection between urbanism and watchmaking. The comfortable seats allow visitors to effortlessly explore every corner of the city and ...
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Destination
La Chaux-de-Fonds / Le Locle
Programme suggestion to discover the UNESCO World Heritage Site "La Chaux-de-Fonds / Le Locle, Watchmaking Town Planning" in one day.   10:00 ...
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Destination
La Chaux-de-Fonds / Le Locle
Programme suggestion to discover the UNESCO World Heritage Site "La Chaux-de-Fonds / Le Locle, Watchmaking Town Planning" in one day.   14:00 ...
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Destination
La Chaux-de-Fonds / Le Locle
Programme suggestion to discover the UNESCO World Heritage Site "La Chaux-de-Fonds / Le Locle, Watchmaking Town Planning" in one day.   10:00 ...
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Museum
La Chaux-de-Fonds / Le Locle
An impressive collection of the most striking masterpieces of watchmaking over the centuries, a history of the measurement of time, an architecture that constitutes ...
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Good to know
La Chaux-de-Fonds / Le Locle
Both towns demonstrate the successful symbiosis between urban planning and the watchmaking industry. Their buildings are a testimony to the history of local craftsmanship ...
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Good to know
La Chaux-de-Fonds / Le Locle
Criterion (iv): La Chaux-de-Fonds and Le Locle constitute a unique urban and architectural ensemble, wholly dedicated to watchmaking from the 18th century until ...
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Our heritage
La Chaux-de-Fonds / Le Locle
What is your role here at this World Heritage Site? I am the driver of the tourist train in La Chaux-de-Fonds and Le Locle. I am in charge of introducing visitors ...
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Museum
La Chaux-de-Fonds / Le Locle
The secrets of time nestled in a magic place: the Château des Monts In the intimate setting of a magnificent 18th century manor, this extensive collection ...
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Good to know
La Chaux-de-Fonds / Le Locle
History The fact that the first family workshops were created in farmhouses is not surprising. The winters in the Jura mountains are long and hard, making it ...
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Good to know
La Chaux-de-Fonds / Le Locle
A short film by the Swiss Commission for UNESCO
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Good to know
La Chaux-de-Fonds / Le Locle
Build by and for watchmakers, La Chaux-de-Fonds and Le Locle reveal their history of craftsmanship and of industry in their urban architecture. It is enough to walk ...
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Our heritage
La Chaux-de-Fonds / Le Locle
What is your role here at this World Heritage Site? I am a historian specialising in the conservation and promotion of architectural heritage - particularly that ...
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