Biel/Bienne: Jardin du paradis: Energie Service Biel

Few cities in the canton of Bern have a history as closely tied to watchmaking as Biel/Bienne. At the eastern end of Lake Biel, between the shore and the first slopes of the Jura, this officially bilingual city brings German- and French-speaking Switzerland together in one urban centre. Watchmaking expanded here during the 19th century and remains integral to the local economy; Biel/Bienne is home to the headquarters of both the Swatch Group and Omega. Its compact old town retains arcaded streets and late-medieval buildings, while the Schüss/Suze passes through the city on its way to the lake. Browse other webcams across the Bernese Jura and Three Lakes region to place this setting in a wider geographic context.

Built around the Aare River and routes across the Swiss Plateau, Bern grew into a canton connecting the federal capital with the Bernese Oberland. Its territory extends from Jura foothills and farmland through the Aare valley to the high Alps around the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. The city of Bern, Switzerland’s federal capital, preserves an Old Town inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, while Thun and Interlaken lead towards Lakes Thun and Brienz. Urban institutions, dairy farming and established alpine resorts give the canton a notably broad Swiss character. View additional webcams nearby to better understand how Bern relates to its Alpine and plateau surroundings.

Switzerland stretches from the Jura Mountains in the northwest to the Alps in the south, encompassing a central plateau of cities, farms and lakes. The Rhine rises in the Swiss Alps, while Lake Geneva forms part of the country’s southwestern border. Zürich, Geneva and Basel are major urban centres, yet mountain railways and passes remain central to how many regions are experienced. Four national languages—German, French, Italian and Romansh—reflect Switzerland’s distinct cantonal identities. The Matterhorn above Zermatt is among Europe’s most recognisable peaks, and the 1291 Federal Charter is closely associated with the country’s founding tradition. Continue through nearby webcams to explore different parts of Switzerland.