Biel Favorites

Favorite thing: Museum Neuhaus at Sch?sspromenade 26 / Promenade de la Suze 26 This small art and history museum portrays the life of 19th century Biel. Open Tuesday-Sunday: 11 ? 5pm, Wednesday: 11 ? 7pm, admission: adults CHF 7, students 5, free for children up to 16 years.

Omega at St?mpflistrasse / Rue St?mpfli 96.
Museum tells the history of the Omega watches. Visit to the museum is free but it is only for groups and you should call in advance 41 (0)32 / 343 92 11.

Schwab
Museum Schwab at Seevorstadt/Faubourg du Lac 50 was named after the 19th century colonel who started the collection. This museum focuses on prehistory and archaeology, and contains artifacts from the lakes and tells the story about the lakeside communities.
It was closed during our visit but they promise to open the museum in September 2003; admission: adults CHF 5, children 4.

The Jean-Jacques Rousseau Room
The museum is on the Island of Saint-Pierre on the premises of the restaurant. Actually the place is no longer an island since the level of the lake dropped in the late 19th century during engineering work to control water flow throughout the Jura. Cluniac monks were the first inhabitants, building a monastery here in 1127, but its most famous resident was the writer and philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau, who spent two months here in 1765. The renovated monastery buildings, idyllically set amidst vineyards, now house a gourmet restaurant. Access to the room-museum is free and the hours are the same as the restaurant?s. Phone +41 (0)32 / 338 11 14