 Both in terms of architecture and location, La
Chaux-de-Fonds is unique. The highest-altitude city in Europe
is the third-largest French-speaking city in Switzerland, and owes its existence
to the art of watchmaking. With the expansion of this industry in the middle of
the 19th century, La Chaux-de-Fonds developed in a grid pattern, the city’s
trademark feature; today, it ranks as an excellent example of 19th-century urban
development. Another characteristic element of the local aesthetic is Art
Nouveau, which found a unique expression here: the “Style sapin” (“pine tree
style”).
Almost at every street corner you
can admire examples: windows, flights of steps, wrought-iron work and so on. The
hospitality of the residents, the closeness of nature and the broad range of
cultural, sporting and outdoor activities on offer all make the city of
watchmaking well worth a visit.
Art, architecture,
design.
Art Nouveau in the “Style
sapin”
Art Nouveau was the pioneering
style in the arts in the capital cities of Europe at the end of the 19th
century, and in La Chauxde- Fonds developed an expression all of its own. New
buildings in the city were all richly ornamented in this style with windows,
tiles, staircase decorations, stuccowork, joinery and wrought-iron work. This
style, developed by students at the art school under the influence of their
teacher Charles L’Eplattenier, came to be known as the “Style sapin”, or “pine
tree style”. The name shows clearly where these young artists — including the
future Le Corbusier — found their inspiration: in nature. The young teacher
avidly studied the local flora and fauna with his students; moving away from the
“whiplash style” epitomized by the work of Victor Horta, they found movement
instead in the poetic rhythm of the landscape of the Jura, with its many pine
trees and gentian-filled meadows.
Le Corbusier
One of the most important
architects of the 20th century, Le Corbusier was born in La Chaux-de-Fonds in
1887. The first house that he built as an independent architect — a home for his
parents — is here: the Maison Blanche. This listed building has been restored,
and at the end of 2005 was opened to the public. For Le Corbusier, it was a
chance to experiment with form, structure and technique. Other work by Le
Corbusier can also be seen in La Chaux-de- Fonds; and experts acknowledge that
it is impossible to understand fully the great architect’s work without a visit
here.
Highlights.
Museum of Fine Arts.
Swiss and international art from the 19th to
21st centuries; works from Léopold Robert, Le Corbusier, Van Gogh, Derain,
Rouault.
Maison Blanche.
Le Corbusier’s first building; a national
monument.
Ancien Manège.
One of the most extraordinary buildings in
the city. Worth a visit just to see the inner courtyard, a former riding
hall.
Crematorium.
Inaugurated in 1910: a synthesis of the
arts, and a symbol of the regional style of Art
Nouveau.
L’heure bleue.
Theatre built in 1837, fully restored in
2003. One of two preserved "Italian-style" theatres in the country, and a
national monument.
Villa Turque.
The best known and most remarkable building
by Le Corbusier in his home city; completed in 1917. |
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