La Chaux-de-Fonds / Le Locle, Watchmaking Town Planning in Switzerland

Facts and Data

Webpages:
Official Unesco Page
Urbanisme horloger

Basis Data:
Unesco World heritage since: 2009
Size of heritage: 284 ha
- Buffer zone: 4,488 ha

Coordinates:
Longitude: 6,833°
Latitude: 47,104°

Summary

The site of La Chaux-de-Fonds / Le Locle watchmaking town-planning consists of two towns situated close to one another in a remote environment in the Swiss Jura mountains, on land ill-suited to farming. Their planning and buildings reflect watchmakers’ need of rational organization. Planned in the early 19th century, after extensive fires, the towns owed their existence to this single industry. Their layout along an open-ended scheme of parallel strips on which residential housing and workshops are intermingled reflects the needs of the local watchmaking culture that dates to the 17th century and is still alive today. The site presents outstanding examples of mono-industrial manufacturing-towns which are well preserved and still active. The urban planning of both towns has accommodated the transition from the artisanal production of a cottage industry to the more concentrated factory production of the late 19th and 20th centuries. The town of La Chaux-de-Fonds was described by Karl Marx as a “huge factory-town” in Das Kapital where he analyzed the division of labour in the watchmaking industry of the Jura.

Location on Map

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La Chaux-de-Fonds / Le Locle, Watchmaking Town Planning

The UNESCO World Heritage site of La Chaux-de-Fonds / Le Locle, Watchmaking Town Planning, is located in the canton of Neuchâtel, Switzerland. This site encompasses two neighboring towns, La Chaux-de-Fonds and Le Locle, which are renowned for their significant contributions to the watchmaking industry.

History

The history of this heritage site dates back to the 18th century when the watchmaking industry began to flourish in the region. The towns of La Chaux-de-Fonds and Le Locle quickly became centers of excellence for watchmaking, attracting skilled craftsmen and entrepreneurs from all over Switzerland and beyond.

During the 19th century, the watchmaking industry experienced a period of rapid growth and prosperity. The towns' urban planning and architecture were heavily influenced by the needs of the industry. The layout of the towns was carefully designed to accommodate the watchmaking workshops, factories, and the living quarters of the workers.

The urban planning of La Chaux-de-Fonds and Le Locle reflects the principles of the Industrial Revolution, with a focus on functionality, efficiency, and rationality. The towns were designed with wide streets and spacious squares to allow for the movement of materials and the construction of large watchmaking workshops. The buildings were constructed with large windows to maximize natural light, essential for watchmaking precision.

Current State

Today, La Chaux-de-Fonds and Le Locle continue to be important centers of the Swiss watchmaking industry. The towns have successfully preserved their unique architectural and urban planning heritage, making them living testimonies to the history of watchmaking.

Visitors to the UNESCO World Heritage site can explore the well-preserved streets and squares, admiring the harmonious blend of residential, industrial, and commercial buildings. The architectural styles range from neoclassical to art nouveau, showcasing the evolution of watchmaking town planning over the centuries.

The towns also boast several museums dedicated to watchmaking, providing visitors with a deeper understanding of the industry's history and craftsmanship. These museums showcase a vast collection of timepieces, tools, and machinery, allowing visitors to appreciate the intricate artistry and precision involved in watchmaking.

Address
Distance: 0,1 mi
Rue du 1er Mars 7
2300 La Chaux-de-Fonds
Switzerland

Time Information

Checkout: 11:00 - Checkin: 12:00
Reception
Weekday: 6:00 - 22:00
Weekend: closed

Videos from the area

eHeinz épisode 31: La Chaux-de-Fonds - culture et nature.

Published: January 12, 2012
Length: 27:32 min
Rating: 0 of 5
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A 1 000 mètres d'altitude, au cœur du Jura : La Chaux-de-Fonds, berceau de l'art international de l'horlogerie. Avec 40 000 habitants, c'est la ville la plus haute en altitude d'Europe. Signe...

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eHeinz episodio 31: La Chaux-de-Fonds - cultura e natura.

Published: January 16, 2012
Length: 06:35 min
Rating: 5 of 5
Author: MySwitzerland

A mille metri d'altezza, nel cuore dello straordinario paesaggio del Giura: La Chaux-de-Fonds, la culla dell'orologeria internazionale. Con 40.000 abitanti: la città più in alto d'Europa....

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