Discover Fontainemelon

Fontainemelon lies at an altitude of around 864 m on the northwestern edge of the Val-de-Ruz in the Neuchâtel Jura. The village stretches along the southern slope of Mont d’Amin and Vue des Alpes. Fontainemelon also includes part of the Les Loges settlement, situated at around 1,185 m. The description of the area therefore encompasses different elevations and landscape features. If you are looking for a hotel in Fontainemelon, you could first consider whether landscape, architectural history or the industrial past will be the focus of your stay.

Landscape, forest and playground

The Parcours Vita runs through the municipal forest and offers sweeping views over the Val-de-Ruz. The route and the panorama go hand in hand: the path leads through the forest, while the view opens out over the valley. Agriculture and forest also shape land use. Around 40.4 percent of Fontainemelon’s area is used for agriculture, while 40.0 percent is covered by forest.

The Place de jeux de Fontainemelon also offers a view over the Val-de-Ruz. Picnic tables are available for a break with a view. Facilities include a long slide, swings for younger and older children, a carousel, table tennis tables and a pétanque court. The playground thus offers a range of activities and a place to linger. As facilities may change, check the playground’s current amenities before visiting.

The Temple and older buildings

The Temple de Fontainemelon was consecrated on 6 July 1902 and has a neo-Romanesque tower. Six round-arched windows and two stained-glass rose windows decorated with coats of arms bring light into the nave. The architectural features each create a distinct impression: the tower with its neo-Romanesque form, the windows with their rounded arches and the rose windows with their heraldic motifs.

Another type of building is the historic “Vieux collège”, an old school building dating from 1846. Together with the Temple, it represents two different functions reflected in the town’s architectural history: school and church. Fontainemelon was also first mentioned in writing around 1350; an earlier recorded form of the name is “Fontainnemelom”.

Watchmaking and industrial history

Fontainemelon’s watchmaking history can be traced through several dates. The watchmaking manufactory known as the “Fabrique d’horlogerie de Fontainemelon” dates back to 1793. It was Switzerland’s first ébauche manufactory. The name is no longer used officially, but has been retained as a generic term. The first actual factory at the current site was built in 1816. The two dates therefore refer to different historical milestones: the manufactory’s origins and the construction of the first actual factory at the current site.

Another element of the industrial heritage is located on the north façade of Usine ETA SA. There is a bas-relief in yellow stone depicting “Le Génie créateur”, “L’Industrie” and “L’Abondance”. While the history of the Fabrique d’horlogerie places the development of watchmaking in context, the relief depicts three distinct themes: creative spirit, industry and abundance.

Local history and travel planning

The municipality’s history has its own point of reference in time: Fontainemelon was a former municipality that merged with other localities in 2013 to form the new municipality of Val-de-Ruz. The area can therefore be explored through a range of themes: the landscape on the edge of the Val-de-Ruz, older buildings, the history of watchmaking and the relief at Usine ETA SA. Depending on your interests during your stay, these features can offer different starting points for your trip.

Discover more destinations: Montmollin, Boudevilliers, Les Geneveys-sur-Coffrane, La Vue Des Alpes, Les Hauts-Geneveys, Fontaines, Dombresson, Cernier.

For the broader travel overview: Val-De-Ruz.