Saignelégier, horse breeding and the Franches-Montagnes

23 November 2021

Saignelégier is the capital of the Franches-Montagnes (canton of Jura). Before 1380, the region, which lies at an average altitude of 1,000 metres, was called the Montagne des Bois (Forest Mountain). Dense forests covered the area. In 1385, Prince-Bishop Imier de Ramstein of the Prince-Bishopric of Basel declared the region tax-free for its inhabitants, hence … Read more » “Saignelégier, horse breeding and the Franches-Montagnes”

Willisau

11 November 2021

Available in German and Dutch.

Naters, Saffron and the Swiss Guard

8 November 2021

 Naters (canton of Valais) is located on the right bank of the Rhone and is known, among other things, for its proximity to the Aletsch Glacier (the World Nature Forum in Naters is dedicated to this UNESCO World Heritage), the Hotel Belalp from 1858, the Blattnerhof and the panoramic view of the Valais Alps.   … Read more » “Naters, Saffron and the Swiss Guard”

Association L’Alouette in Hérémence

6 November 2021

The village of Hérémence in the Val des Dix (canton of Valais) is best known for the St. Nicolas church. Less spectacular, but still worth mentioning, is the cultural association Groupe folklorique l’Alouette. The association, founded in 1950, revives folklore, local traditions, and clothing. On the occasion of its seventieth anniversary in 2020, celebrated in … Read more » “Association L’Alouette in Hérémence”

Hérémence and the Valley of Dix

3 November 2021

The French-speaking Valley of Dix (Le Val des Dix), canton of Valais, is home to exceptional natural (the pyramids of Euseigne and the dam and lake of the Grande Dixence) and human heritage (the church of St. Nicolas in Hérémence and the chapels and villages (Hérémence, Euseigne, Mâche, Pralong, Prolin, Riod and Ayer). The valley … Read more » “Hérémence and the Valley of Dix”

Rolex and Biel

1 November 2021

The family business Aegler, founded in 1878 in Biel, was a large watch factory that specialised in small ladies’ watches from 1890 to 1895. ans Wilsdorf, a Swiss national who worked in England, purchased small watches from Aegler to manufacture wristwatches. This collaboration resulted in the world-famous ROLEX watch. In 1919, Wilsdorf established the company … Read more » “Rolex and Biel”

La Sagne and the Watchmaking Industry

26 October 2021

Until the 13th century, the valley of La Sagne (canton of Neuchâtel) was deserted. It was a marshy (sagne means swamp), cold and wild region. Jean II d’Arberg (1334-1383), Lord of Valangin, granted permission to settle the valley in 1372. He created the status of “francs-habergeants”; those who settled in La Sagne benefited from a … Read more » “La Sagne and the Watchmaking Industry”

The city of Orbe

22 October 2021

The first human settlements on the Boscéaz plateau date back to the Neolithic period (fourth millennium BCE). The area was inhabited by the Celts from 800 BC onwards. In Roman times, Urbe (now Orbe, canton of Vaud) was a town located on the road connecting Lausanne and Besançon. A large villa stood at Boscéaz near … Read more » “The city of Orbe”

Eclépens, Mormont, the Canal and the Castle

21 October 2021

The village of Eclépens (canton of Vaud) is located at the foot of the Mormont hill (known for its Celtic excavations) and lies on the left bank of the Venoge river. Eclepedingus in the year 814, Sclepens in 1147, Escleppens in 1453, a name believed to be a person of Germanic origin. The Roman road … Read more » “Eclépens, Mormont, the Canal and the Castle”

The Bishopric of Chur

18 October 2021

The early Middle Ages (5th-10th centuries) were crucial centuries in the history of Raetia. The creation of Churrätien, as well as Medieval and Modern Graubünden (1524-1803-1815), occurred during this period. The transition from Roman rule to the Middle Ages was a gradual and lengthy process. The political structures, social, economic, and linguistic conditions, ecclesiastical and … Read more » “The Bishopric of Chur”