Villeret Be: Architecture, Trails and Mountain Running

Villeret Be offers several concrete starting points for planning a trip: a mountain race, hiking trails, architecture and local history. If you are looking for a hotel, you can make the purpose of your stay the focus. For a trip centred on the race, the event dates are important; those interested in architectural heritage can find examples ranging from the Temple de Villeret to the Usine de 1992. Nature, hydroelectric power and local cheese products round out these themes.

Mountain Running and Landscape

The Villeret–Chasseral–Villeret mountain race was first held in 2000 and is now a recurring event. The 2026 race will be the 26th edition. There are three distances to choose from: 25.6 km, 12 km and 2 km. The three distances provide a concrete point of comparison if you are making the race the reason for your trip. Check the event dates before setting your travel dates.

Villeret lies at the foot of the Combe-Grède gorges. The nature reserve is characterised by almost vertical rock faces and is home to chamois and marmots. This provides a way to complement the local history with a look at the surrounding nature, without conflating the different themes.

The Sentier du Vallon runs in both directions between Saint-Imier, Villeret, Cormoret and Courtelary. Information panels along the trail explain the history of hydroelectric power and its possibilities today. Its route and interpretive focus give the Sentier a different character from a trail centred on the landscape.

The source of the Doux is another specific natural landmark: it lies in a forest between Villeret and Cormoret and is nicknamed “Little Venice of Ergüel”. Along the Suze, visitors can explore the Espace découverte Energie.

Architecture and History

The Temple de Villeret was built in 1936 to plans by Charles Kleiber. Its interior features eight side windows and a five-metre-high window in the choir. The stained-glass windows were created by Henri Vermeil and Auguste Labouret. The year of construction, the architect and the stained glass give the temple a clearly defined place in local history.

Watchmaking also shaped Villeret: it began to develop from 1725, and Blancpain SA was founded in Villeret in 1735. This transformation affected factories, residential neighbourhoods and public infrastructure. The town’s history can therefore be read not only in individual buildings, but also in the development of its settlement pattern.

The Usine de 1992 is prominently visible from Villeret’s southwestern entrance. The two-storey building has a flat roof, undulating elements in the central section, metal sunshades and an exposed structural frame. It also features a metal framework and a glass façade with a square grid. These features make the building a tangible example of architecture for visitors interested in building forms.

Local production also includes the local cheese dairy. It makes, among other things, Tête de Moine, “Villeret spécial” and Villerêve.

Plan Your Journey

Bus route 22.123 connects Saint-Imier station with Villeret, Zentrum. CFF timetables and bus timetables between Villeret and St-Imier are also available for your journey. Check the latest information before travelling, as timetables may change. If you are planning your stay around a race or a visit to the surrounding area, coordinate your travel dates with the event and your journey there.

For the wider travel overview: Courtelary.