Cycling in Switzerland

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Hiking in

Biel
Seeland-Solothurn-Weg
Seeland-Solothurn-Weg
Stage 2, Biel–Büren a. A.
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Seeland-Solothurn-Weg
Seeland-Solothurn-Weg
Stage 1, Erlach–Biel
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ViaBerna
ViaBerna
Stage 5, Magglingen–Frinvillier–Taubenlochschlucht–Biel/Bienne
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ViaBerna
ViaBerna
Stage 6, Biel/Bienne–Port–Studen–Lyss–Aarberg
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Cycling in

Biel
Mittelland Route
Mittelland Route
Stage 5, Solothurn–Ins
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Emmental–Entlebuch
Emmental–Entlebuch
Stage 1, Biel/Bienne–Burgdorf
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Lötschberg–Jura
Lötschberg–Jura
Stage 3, Biel/Bienne–Delémont
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Lötschberg–Jura
Lötschberg–Jura
Stage 2, Thun–Biel/Bienne
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Jurasüdfuss-Route
Jurasüdfuss-Route
Stage 2, Grenchen–Neuchâtel
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Aare Route
Aare Route
Stage 4, Bern–Biel (Nidau)
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Aare Route
Aare Route
Stage 5, Biel (Nidau)–Solothurn
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Skating in

Biel
Mittelland Skate
Mittelland Skate
Stage 9, Biel–Ins
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Mittelland Skate
Mittelland Skate
Stage 8, Solothurn–Biel
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Biel/Bienne
Biel

Biel

The town of Biel, the metropolis of Swiss watchmaking, lies at the eastern end of Lake Biel, at the foot of the Jura in the delightful Lake Region. The charm of bilingualism, the intact old town and its location as the gateway to the three peripheral Jura lakes (Lakes Biel, Neuchâtel and Murten) make the town an attractive starting point, but also a destination for excursions.
Biel is the only town in Switzerland in which German and French are spoken side by side in equal measure. One senses the relaxed mentality here resulting from the mixture of these two languages. In 2002, Biel was one of the four exhibition locations for EXPO.

Architecturally, Biel is a town of many facets. The modern part of the city with its high-rise buildings lies at lake level which then gives way, on a slight incline, to the intact old town with its gothic town church stemming from the 15th century. In 2004, Biel was awarded the Wakker Prize by the Swiss Heritage Society for the exemplary manner in which it conserved its, in part, outstanding stock of 20th century buildings. Examples can be found in the new town, where uniform districts built in the ‘new construction’ style came into being in the 1920s and ‘30s.

The town of Biel is a tradition-imbued watch metropolis in which this Swiss craft is still fostered. Swatch, Rolex, Omega, Tissot, Movado and Mikron are all located here. Biel has additionally also positioned itself in the field of other industries and in communication.

Its location makes the town an attractive gateway to the excursion and holiday region around Lakes Biel, Neuchâtel and Murten – also known as the "Three Lakes Region” – with vineyards on the hillsides and extensive vegetable cultivation on the level areas. The options for rambling and cycling excursions are huge. In Ligerz, the viticulture museum and a wine trail serve to draw visitors. Several attractive mediaeval small towns like Nidau, Twann, La Neuveville and Erlach are well worth an excursion.

In summer, it is possible to travel on various routes along the lakes onboard scheduled passenger boats; the day trip through all three peripheral Jura lakes is especially popular. Naturally all types of water sport are also pursued on the lakes.

From the town on the linguistic divide, it is only a stone’s throw to the lush green, hilly landscape of the Jura with its broad forests and wonderful vantage points, as well as the sportsperson’s Mecca of Magglingen above Biel, and the Chasseral (1607m).

Highlights

  • Biel old town – an intact old town with a beautiful town hall, gothic town church dating from the 15th century, various fountains and beautiful signposts.
  • Centre 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.
  • Aare trip – a leisurely and romantic river trip from Biel to the most beautiful baroque city in Switzerland, Solothurn. En route, one floats past the small town of Büren and the Altreu stork colony.
  • Lake Biel and Petersinsel (Peter’s Isle) – the idyllic peninsula on which the renowned philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau was said to have experienced ‘veritable happiness’ lies at the western end of the lake. Rousseau’s former residence, a monastery, today houses a famous hotel-restaurant.
The town of Biel, the metropolis of Swiss watchmaking, lies at the eastern end of Lake Biel, at the foot of the Jura in the delightful Lake Region. The charm of bilingualism, the intact old town and its location as the gateway to the three peripheral Jura lakes (Lakes Biel, Neuchâtel and Murten) make the town an attractive starting point, but also a destination for excursions.
Biel is the only town in Switzerland in which German and French are spoken side by side in equal measure. One senses the relaxed mentality here resulting from the mixture of these two languages. In 2002, Biel was one of the four exhibition locations for EXPO.

Architecturally, Biel is a town of many facets. The modern part of the city with its high-rise buildings lies at lake level which then gives way, on a slight incline, to the intact old town with its gothic town church stemming from the 15th century. In 2004, Biel was awarded the Wakker Prize by the Swiss Heritage Society for the exemplary manner in which it conserved its, in part, outstanding stock of 20th century buildings. Examples can be found in the new town, where uniform districts built in the ‘new construction’ style came into being in the 1920s and ‘30s.

The town of Biel is a tradition-imbued watch metropolis in which this Swiss craft is still fostered. Swatch, Rolex, Omega, Tissot, Movado and Mikron are all located here. Biel has additionally also positioned itself in the field of other industries and in communication.

Its location makes the town an attractive gateway to the excursion and holiday region around Lakes Biel, Neuchâtel and Murten – also known as the "Three Lakes Region” – with vineyards on the hillsides and extensive vegetable cultivation on the level areas. The options for rambling and cycling excursions are huge. In Ligerz, the viticulture museum and a wine trail serve to draw visitors. Several attractive mediaeval small towns like Nidau, Twann, La Neuveville and Erlach are well worth an excursion.

In summer, it is possible to travel on various routes along the lakes onboard scheduled passenger boats; the day trip through all three peripheral Jura lakes is especially popular. Naturally all types of water sport are also pursued on the lakes.

From the town on the linguistic divide, it is only a stone’s throw to the lush green, hilly landscape of the Jura with its broad forests and wonderful vantage points, as well as the sportsperson’s Mecca of Magglingen above Biel, and the Chasseral (1607m).

Highlights

  • Biel old town – an intact old town with a beautiful town hall, gothic town church dating from the 15th century, various fountains and beautiful signposts.
  • Centre 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.
  • Aare trip – a leisurely and romantic river trip from Biel to the most beautiful baroque city in Switzerland, Solothurn. En route, one floats past the small town of Büren and the Altreu stork colony.
  • Lake Biel and Petersinsel (Peter’s Isle) – the idyllic peninsula on which the renowned philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau was said to have experienced ‘veritable happiness’ lies at the western end of the lake. Rousseau’s former residence, a monastery, today houses a famous hotel-restaurant.

Arrival and return Biel

Adresse

Tourismus Biel Seeland
Bahnhofplatz 12
2502 Biel/Bienne
Tel. +41 (0)32 329 84 84
info@biel-seeland.ch
www.biel-seeland.ch

Services

Accommodation

B&B Stadtzentrum
B&B Stadtzentrum
Biel/Bienne
City Hotel Biel Bienne
City Hotel Biel Bienne
Biel/Bienne
Hotel Mercure Plaza Biel
Hotel Mercure Plaza Biel
Biel/Bienne
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Places of interest

Biel's Historic Centre
Biel's Historic Centre
BielTrail
BielTrail
NMB New Museum Biel
NMB New Museum Biel
PasquArt Centre
PasquArt Centre
Pumptrack Wildermeth
Pumptrack Wildermeth
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Hiking in

Biel
Seeland-Solothurn-Weg
Seeland-Solothurn-Weg
Stage 2, Biel–Büren a. A.
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Seeland-Solothurn-Weg
Seeland-Solothurn-Weg
Stage 1, Erlach–Biel
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ViaBerna
ViaBerna
Stage 5, Magglingen–Frinvillier–Taubenlochschlucht–Biel/Bienne
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ViaBerna
ViaBerna
Stage 6, Biel/Bienne–Port–Studen–Lyss–Aarberg
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Cycling in

Biel
Mittelland Route
Mittelland Route
Stage 5, Solothurn–Ins
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Emmental–Entlebuch
Emmental–Entlebuch
Stage 1, Biel/Bienne–Burgdorf
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Lötschberg–Jura
Lötschberg–Jura
Stage 3, Biel/Bienne–Delémont
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Lötschberg–Jura
Lötschberg–Jura
Stage 2, Thun–Biel/Bienne
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Jurasüdfuss-Route
Jurasüdfuss-Route
Stage 2, Grenchen–Neuchâtel
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Aare Route
Aare Route
Stage 4, Bern–Biel (Nidau)
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Aare Route
Aare Route
Stage 5, Biel (Nidau)–Solothurn
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Skating in

Biel
Mittelland Skate
Mittelland Skate
Stage 9, Biel–Ins
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Mittelland Skate
Mittelland Skate
Stage 8, Solothurn–Biel
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