St-Imier: Watchmaking Culture and Trails on Mont-Soleil

St-Imier combines a rich watchmaking history with museums, themed walks and excursions into the landscape of the Parc régional Chasseral. When choosing your stay, you can therefore focus on different things: collections and local history, trails exploring renewable energy, or visits related to regional cheese-making.

Watches and history in St-Imier

The Musée Longines is located in the buildings of Compagnie des Montres Longines Francillon S.A., below the town centre. Its collection includes important watch models, navigation instruments and timekeeping devices. It also features archival items such as photographs, posters, films, medals and registers. Alongside the watches, the focus is on documents that illustrate different forms of timekeeping and the company’s history.

The Musée de Saint-Imier is in the historic centre. Its exhibition explores the history of the Vallon de Saint-Imier; the permanent regional exhibition traces the legacy of Saint Imier through five themes. A separate section is devoted to the Jura troops and the history of the defence of the Jura region. The exhibitions therefore offer different perspectives, from regional history and religious tradition to military history.

The town’s architectural history also reaches far back: a collegiate church was built in St-Imier in the 11th century to house the mortal remains of Saint Imier. Another chapter in the town’s history is the congress held on 15 and 16 September 1872. It is described as the birthplace of the first anti-authoritarian International, also known as the anarchist International. Those interested in history will encounter both medieval connections and 19th-century political developments here.

Walks with different themes

The interactive walk entitled Saint-Imier as seen by its residents starts at the railway station and leads to around ten points of interest spread across the town. The content of this walk may be updated. A playful complement is the walk entitled Julie and Lucien discover Saint-Imier between past and present. It explores some of the first walk’s stops in a playful way that is accessible to children.

Those more interested in the landscape and the region’s history of land use can choose between two differently themed trails. The Sentier du Vallon runs from St-Imier to Courtelary and offers insights into nature, water use in the region and local industry. The Sentier des Monts connects Mont-Soleil with Mont-Crosin; along the way, the themes are renewable energy, nature and climate. Comparing the topics makes it easier to choose: one trail focuses on water and industry, the other on energy, nature and climate.

Mont-Soleil: views, energy and observation

Mont-Soleil lies above St-Imier and offers views of the Chasseral. The funicular has connected the town with Mont-Soleil since 1903; the journey takes just a few minutes. As timetables may change, it is advisable to check current service information before travelling. The wooded pastures and an educational trail about renewable energy are also defining features of walks on Mont-Soleil.

Tours of the solar power plant and a wind turbine provide information about renewable energy and how the facilities work. Check their availability before your trip. The Observatoire Mont-Soleil offers the chance to observe the sun and stars using a dedicated viewing instrument or telescope; a planetarium is available in bad weather. Visits and booking arrangements may change, so it is worth checking visitor information in advance.

Cheese and special visits

At Fromagerie Spielhofer, individual visits include a film about making Tête de Moine, insights into production, an exhibition and a shop. These visits take place during the cheese dairy’s opening hours. Groups can only visit by prior reservation. Their visit also includes a guided tour of the production area and cellar, as well as a tasting of specialities. If you plan to visit, confirm the arrangements before you travel.

Another option is the Circuit Secret St-Imier: this experience offers privileged access to five well-known places in St-Imier and combines artistic performances with their history. As the programme may change, check the current conditions before your visit. Together, these options offer a variety of cultural and excursion themes, without every visit focusing on the same things.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Orvin, Cortébert, Renan, Cormoret, Courtelary, Péry, Plagne, Sonvilier.

For the main travel overview: Courtelary.