International School Parent Magazine - Autumn 2021

ADVERTORIAL
BIEL/BIENNE -
Switzerland’s
largest bilingual town
Most visitors imagine Biel/Bienne to be an industrial
town, however on arrival they are surprised to discover
that it has a well-preserved medieval centre. This
historic part of town invites you to go on a stroll through the
charming alleys and along the picturesque squares and terraces
which are adorned with pretty little shops.
Besides events of national and international significance, Biel
offers a host of other cultural highlights, too. The Neues Museum
Biel and the Pasquart are two important museums near the lake.
In 2004, Biel was awarded the Wakker prize by the Swiss Heritage
Society for its exemplary townscape protection.
You can discover Biel’s old town during a culinary stroll, called
nourritour, on a Saturday morning. The tour consists of seven
different stops, including tastings of artisanal products made by
local people. Sweet or savoury, in French or in German, this walk
has lots of unexpected surprises in store for you.
In Biel, you will hear people converse in German and in French.
In the largest bilingual city of Switzerland, all streets and official
buildings are signposted in both languages. This mixture of
German and French-speaking inhabitants makes Biel an especially
charming place.
Bilingualism is a result of the watchmaking industry, highlighted
by the middle of the 19th century when Biel became Switzerland’s
most important watchmaking centre. The numerous watchmakers
from the Jura who found work in Biel brought the French language
with them, and to this day renowned brands such as OMEGA and
Swatch are headquartered in Biel.
A must-see, not only for watchmaking-fans, is the Cité du Temps,
which recently opened its doors in the heart between the OMEGA
watch factory and the new headquarters of the Swatch brand.
Designed by world-renowned Japanese architect Shigeru Ban, Cité
du Temps unites under one roof the playful, cheerful style of the
Swatch brand and the luxurious character of OMEGA. Equipped
with state-of-the-art interactive technologies, the OMEGA and
Swatch museums invite their visitors to explore the different
worlds of the two brands in a dynamic way.
Nature enthusiast? You will love discovering the
beautiful surroundings of Lake Biel. The northern shore
land is characterised by intensively cultivated wine growing
areas, while the southern shore remains entirely natural.
The lake’s highlight is the mystical St. Peter’s island with its
hidden bathing bays and the venerable monastic hotel.
The Lake Biel Navigation Company provides a tranquil
atmosphere while you enjoy a glass of local wine on board
and glide along the picturesque winegrowers’ villages. St.
Peter’s island invites you to relax among reeds, vineyards,
and on intricate sandy beaches. Even Rousseau succumbed
to its charm while seeking refuge on the island for a few
days. The island can be reached either by boat from Biel or
passing through the charming winegrowers’ villages. From
Erlach, the Heidenweg path takes you there on foot or by
bike.
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