10/28/25
Biel/Bienne, between two languages
A bilingual city where precision meets creativity beside the calm of the lake.
Biel/Bienne doesn’t fit into one box — or one language. Nestled between the Jura mountains and its peaceful lake, it’s a place where French and German blend seamlessly into a culture that feels effortlessly natural. Here, people switch tongues mid-sentence, and no one even notices — it’s part of the city’s charm.
Start your visit in the old town, where 18th-century houses hide art studios, second-hand bookstores, and design workshops. The streets are filled with color, character, and that easy energy unique to Biel. Stop by Café Ring or Lokal Int — two favorite spots where you can sip an espresso while overhearing conversations in both languages at once.
Biel/Bienne is the birthplace of Swiss watchmaking — Omega, Swatch, and Rolex all started here. You can visit the Omega Museum, where heritage meets innovation in perfect balance. But what really defines the city isn’t its precision — it’s its freedom.
Head to the lake for a change of pace. The Bielersee is surrounded by vineyards and forested hills that seem made for walking and cycling. Rent a paddleboard or take a short boat ride to St. Peter’s Island, a quiet escape that inspired philosophers and artists alike. When the weather’s warm, locals swim until the sun disappears behind the Jura.
In the evening, Biel/Bienne turns golden. The old town fills with laughter, street music, and the soft hum of two languages mingling together. Grab a drink at Volver or Le Carrousel, two bars that perfectly reflect the city’s bilingual soul — casual, creative, and open to everyone.
Biel/Bienne doesn’t show off, it just exists beautifully. A city where differences aren’t barriers but bridges — between languages, people, and ways of seeing the world.