The small city of Biel, 25 mi/40 km north of Bern, straddles the linguistic line between German-speaking and French-speaking Switzerland—in French, it's called Bienne. Both languages are spoken in the city, and you'll notice that the street signs are bilingual as well.
Biel has all the elements of a picturesque Swiss town: a well-preserved medieval quarter, complete with a town hall and lots of fountains, as well as a beautiful lake setting. The city is a center for Swiss watchmaking, and you can see examples of locally made watches and clocks in the Omega Museum (http://www.omegawatches.com/planet-omega/heritage/museum).
For a panoramic view of the area, take a funicular up to the top of Magglingen (Macolin) or Evilard (Leubringen). Visit the nearby medieval town of Neuenstadt (La Neuveville). Its Rue du Marche is said to be one of the most beautiful small streets in Switzerland. Also enjoy the great Alpine panorama from the Chasseral mountain (5,272 ft/1,607 m).
The lake (called Bielersee in German or Lac de Bienne in French) is also worth exploring. You'll find beaches along the southern shore, and the northern shore has some nice wine-producing villages among the hills. The island of St. Petersinsel (Ile St.-Pierre), where the philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau lived in 1765, has a nature reserve. Spring through fall, boat trips are offered on the lake. You can even take a boat from Biel to Neuchatel (June-September).
To request access to the full version of this destination guide, please provide your email address below. Your email address will only be used for verification purposes and will not be used for marketing purposes.