Things to see and do German-Speaking Switzerland

Want to learn more about the city and its history? Visit the Heimatmuseum. This local museum in Davos has set itself the task of tracing the evolution of this former farming village into a modern town, developed thanks to tourism, and of educating the public about everyday life in the past, local customs and crafts. To this end, a rich collection of historical objects and documents is on display in this ^16th-century building, now a family museum.

The only Swiss museum devoted exclusively to the history of communication in all its aspects. Through an interactive and very entertaining tour, the three permanent exhibitions of the museum tell us the history of telecommunications and communication. You will walk through the museum through the objects and documents kept by the Post Office. An "adventure" that encourages exchanges, meetings, dialogue - in short, communication!

It is the second largest historical museum in Switzerland after Zurich. It traces the history of the city, but also of the region since prehistoric times, through archaeological, historical and ethnological collections. It includes the original sculptures of several historical fountains and the Last Judgment of the cathedral. A section is also dedicated to Albert Einstein, who lived in Bern when he formulated his famous equation E = mc² in 1905.

It is reached by a very pleasant walk along the lake, from the east bank. At the edge of the city, the site is peaceful and very pleasant, with some contemporary works, including sculptures in the style of Tinguely. The Chinese garden, set back from the lake, was donated to Zürich by the twin city of Kunming in 1994. This small enclosure is enchanting and exotic with a small bridge over the water, Far Eastern flowers, pagoda roofs and carved wood. It is one of the most important open-air Chinese gardens outside China.

In Zurich, urban development and nature coexist in perfect harmony. Belvoir Park, one of the oldest landscape gardens in the region, is a fine example of this. It's a serene green space where it's a pleasure to stroll among the flowers. The iris and daylily garden, with over 120 species, is a real delight. What's more, the view of the city, lake and mountains is resplendent. The park's villa houses a hotel school and restaurant. A historic park full of charm to discover on your visit to the city.

In an idyllic lakeside setting, this is the last project by the famous Franco-Swiss architect Le Corbusier (real name Charles-Édouard Jeanneret - 1887-1965), one of the most influential urban planners of the ^20th century. It is also his only work in German-speaking Switzerland. Inaugurated in 1967, the colorful two-storey pavilion is a jewel of architecture designed entirely in glass and steel. The exhibition follows the Modulor, an architectural concept invented by Le Corbusier in 1945, based on the golden ratio and human scale.

Known as the city of fountains, Bern has more than a hundred in its city. The fountains dating from the middle of the 16th century (notably the Fountain of Justice and the Ogre) represent the wealth of the bourgeoisie. They allow the Bernese and visitors to discover the history of the medieval city and to remember that in the past it was a meeting place where the inhabitants came to get water. Eleven fountains still have elaborately painted allegorical sculptures. During your visit, stroll through the streets to discover these works!

For lovers of hiking and nature, the Gondelbahn cable car allows you to discover the Swiss Jura, from the sky to the Wasserfallen station, where several hiking trails are located in an exceptional natural setting. The adventure park located here overlooks the famous waterfalls. Perfect for a family trip in the air.

In the heart of the country, you're treated to a truly 360-degree panoramic journey! Escape is guaranteed aboard the Gotthard Panorama Express, which links two magnificent regions of Switzerland: Central Switzerland and the canton of Ticino. The history of the country flashes before your eyes, and at every stop, you'll plunge into the vibrant past of ancient myths such as William Tell. You're free to choose the direction of your itinerary, with various departure points such as Lugano, Bellinzona, Lucerne or Arth-Goldau via the Rigi. The tour is ideal if you combine the boat and the panorama train, as they guarantee totally different and complementary sensations and views. We also recommend that you take your time to optimize your discovery. We also suggest that you indulge in the on-board restaurant, with its menu of authentic, typical dishes.

Departure by steamboat: in Lucerne, embark on a Belle Époque journey aboard your paddlewheel-powered boat. You'll cruise the crystal-clear waters of Lake Lucerne, gazing out over the Rütli meadow, the Schillerstein, Tell's chapel and other historic sites of the cantons that founded Switzerland in 1291.

Panorama train tour: the experience becomes even more intense as you continue your journey on board the panorama train of the historic St. Gotthard line, departing from Flüelen. Comfortably seated, the commentary provided by our guides along the way is a real bonus, ensuring that you don't miss a thing during the journey. It's a real thrill to watch this condensed selection of landscapes, from the most Alpine to the most southern! One of the most emblematic passages is the 15 km crossing of the Saint-Gotthard railway tunnel. This titanic structure dates back to 1882. This "secret passage" through the mountains is a feat of engineering and the stuff of legend. After this unusual crossing, your panoramic train continues to the far south of Switzerland to Bellinzona and Lugano. After this unforgettable journey along Switzerland's historic rail route, you'll be charmed by the dolce vita of Ticino. Ticino has something for everyone: a different panorama, a different lake, a different language and, above all, a different taste, like a wine full of sunshine.

The Gotthard Panorama Express is definitely an all-round experience!

The Arosa Bear Country Park, close to the Weisshorn cable car, is a real experience for young and old. In Arosa, abused bears are taken in and given a home appropriate to their species. In the midst of the natural mountain landscape with its meadows, shrubs, rocks, small streams and forests, the bears learn to live as they would if they were not born in captivity. Visitors can observe them in their daily life.

Explore Switzerland's largest ethnological museum, with its rich collection of European and non-European cultures. Renovated in 2011 by Herzog & de Meuron, its architecture is distinctly ^19th-century. Discover a permanent collection and current exhibitions, offering an immersive experience to see the world from a new angle. Don't miss this opportunity to immerse yourself in the world's cultural mosaic.

Located in the heart of Interlaken, just a stone's throw from the bus station, this tourist office provides all the help you need to plan your stay. Here, the welcome is excellent and you will be advised with care: choice of excursions, visits not to be missed on the spot and in the region, programme of festivities, small restaurants to be discovered, timetables of tourist trains... The numerous brochures will be very useful for your journey.

A must-see museum and the largest art museum in Switzerland. The collection represents all the important periods of European art from the Middle Ages to the present day. Its highlight is the exhibition of numerous works by Alberto Giacometti. The collection also includes paintings by Marc Chagall and Vincent Van Gogh, as well as a large number of works by the Zurich Romantic genius Johann Heinrich Füssli, numerous pictures by the great masters and leading representatives of the classical movements of modern art, and a collection of works by Swiss artists such as Ferdinand Hodler, Giovanni Segantini, Peter Fischli and David Weiss. The Kunsthaus also has an outstanding collection of photographs by Swiss and international artists. In addition to the permanent collection, the Kunsthaus offers temporary exhibitions, making it one of the leading exhibition centres in Switzerland. Each year, 10 to 15 exhibitions are held.

In 2021 the Kunsthaus will house the E. G. Bührle Collection, one of the world's most outstanding private art collections. The focus is on French Impressionism with its precursors and successors from the early 20th century: Cézanne, Monet, Renoir, Van Gogh, Gauguin, Braque, Picasso. All these painters are represented by major works. The collection also includes works by the Venetian masters of the 18th century, Dutch masters of the 17th century and medieval sculptures.

Together with Prangins Castle, the Forum of Swiss History in Schwyz and the collection centre in Affoltern am Albis, the National Museum in Zurich forms the so-called Swiss National Museum. Located opposite the main railway station, the museum was built in 1898 in the historicist style by the great Zurich architect Gustav Gull to mark the 50th anniversary of the first Federal Constitution. Inspired by the Hohenzollern castle in Germany and the French Renaissance castles, the building has the appearance of a fairy-tale castle with turrets and vaults. Once you enter the courtyard, you will see a completely different face of the museum: the new wing, an ultra-contemporary construction of 7,400^m2, opened to the public in 2016. The Christ & Gantenbein agency designed this extension, known for its geometric and monolithic appearance, its abrupt lines and the use of concrete and tuff. Tradition and modernity are thus combined in a beautiful harmony. The museum houses the largest collection of objects on the cultural history of Switzerland and traces the history of the country from prehistoric times to modern times. Works of art, handicrafts and everyday objects tell the story of the country's inhabitants over the course of time. The art of the Middle Ages has a particularly important place here. The permanent exhibition "Simply Zurich" on the first floor of the old building is not to be missed.

On the banks of the Rhine, and thus on the Swiss-German border, there's a turn-off for Augusta Raurica, a major archaeological site in the region, which corresponds to the first existence of the city of Basel in Roman times. The site has been occupied since 15 BC, as an extension of Colonia Raurica, the oldest Roman colony on the Rhine, with up to 15,000 inhabitants during its golden age in the ^2nd century. The town was then a prosperous center, both economically and culturally. It was the barbaric Alamanni who, a century later, brought the city to its knees. The town was reborn in the military form of a castrum, a little further on at Kaiseraugst.

The archaeological site. Today, the site is rich enough to delight all lovers of Roman antiquity: an imposing theater, the remains of the temple on the Schönbühl hill from which you can enjoy a beautiful panoramic view, and the mosaic exhibition in the basement. The area is dotted with maps and signposts to help you find your way around.

The museum. Numerous objects from the excavations are on display in the museum, notably in the "Roman house", a reconstruction of a house to give you an idea of how life was organized in those days. This is also where the magnificent treasure trove of silverware unearthed at Kaiseraugst rests: over 270 dishes, bowls, tableware and coins in 58 kg of pure silver.

The Forum of Swiss History is housed in a building dating from 1711, a former grain storehouse that has been completely renovated and modernized. It is the home of the Swiss National Museum in Central Switzerland. On three floors, the museum presents and explains the conditions under which the old Confederation came into being in the Middle Ages. Temporary exhibitions with contemporary museography in the basement make the museum an important cultural platform. Cafeteria and shop.

Ital Reding started building the manor house in 1609. In front of the house is a baroque garden, surrounded by two pavilions. But it is inside that the jewels of the residence are to be found: the large garden room on the ground floor, the vaulted cellar and, on the first floor, in accordance with tradition, the rooms decorated with rich wood panelling and ceilings. On a stone base, there is a room decorated with murals, built in the 16th century.

The Federal Palace building was completed in 1902 and is the seat of the Swiss government (Federal Council) and parliament (National Council and Council of States). Under the central dome and in the two council chambers, numerous symbolic representations of Swiss history are depicted. The square in front, with its 26 fountains symbolising the cantons, was opened in 2004 and is THE meeting place for the people of Bern. The National Bank's gold lies beneath your feet.

Swiss-German author Johanna Spyri's little mountain girl Heidi reminds us of our childhood. This lively, mischievous little girl embodies freedom, nature, family values and friendship. At the top of the village of Maienfield in the pastures, you'll wander through Heidi's grandfather's cottage, the school and the farm. Cheese-making and herbal discovery workshops punctuate the visit in summer.

Immerse yourself in the history of Western art at the Kunstmuseum. Three exhibition spaces: the main building (Hauptbau), the new building (Neubau) and the Kunstmuseum Gegenwart. The main building is a treasure trove of seven centuries of artistic history. Holbein, Van Gogh, Gauguin... The collection boasts over 3,000 works. The new building dazzles with its monumental staircase and streamlined rooms. The Gegenwart offers a plunge into contemporary art.

The Romanesque-Gothic church on the right bank of the Limmat is, together with the Grossmünster Cathedral, one of Zurich's landmarks. The church, with its Benedictine monastery, was founded in 853 by King Ludwig the German, whose two daughters, Hildegard and Berthe, were the first abbesses. The abbey was home to women of the European nobility, mainly from southern Germany. The church enjoyed royal favour and influence, including the right to mint Zurich's currency until the 13th century. Following the Reformation movement (1524), the church and convent became the property of the city of Zurich. The most interesting parts are the 18-metre high Romanesque choir and the transept vault. Today it is appreciated by many visitors for its magnificent stained glass windows, world-famous masterpieces that make it a place of art. The famous painter, engraver and sculptor Marc Chagall, born in Belarus and naturalized in France in 1937, executed the five stained glass windows in the choir in 1970 and the rose window in the south of the transept in 1980 at an advanced age. Augusto Giacometti, the uncle of the famous Swiss artist Alberto Giacometti, made the stained glass windows in the north window representing the four evangelists, God, the eight prophets and Christ in 1947. The cloister also features frescoes by the Zurich artist Paul Bodmer depicting the legend of the construction of the monastery. The organ of the Fraumünster, inaugurated in 1953, is the largest organ in Zurich with 5,793 pipes.

Basel Cathedral, the city's emblem, built between the ^12th and ^15th centuries with its pink sandstone walls, is a marvel restored after the earthquake of 1356. Its glazed tiles and asymmetrical spires make it unique. This Romanesque and Gothic jewel, built between 1019 and 1500, reveals a rich history and an abundance of treasures: crypt, dazzling stained glass windows, St. Gall door, sculptures and bas-reliefs. The terrace overlooking the Rhine, the "Pfalz", offers a breathtaking view.

Discover Basel's town hall, emblem of government and parliament. Its charm lies in its red façade, imposing tower and polychrome paintings. Don't miss the Council Chamber, the inner courtyard, the romantic arcades and the belfry with its panoramic views. Built after an earthquake, the Town Hall symbolizes union with the Confederation. The battlements bear the coats of arms of the cantons. In the ^17th century, Hans Bock decorated the façade with trompe-l'oeil. In the ^20th century, a wing on the left and a belfry on the right enhanced its grandeur.

Best of Switzerland Tours offers a wide range of private and group excursions in the city of Zurich and the most important tourist attractions in German-speaking Switzerland. Our multilingual guides will take you to the eternal snows of the Jungfraujoch, to the Top of Europe or to the Mount Titlis... This is the ideal formula for those who appreciate organized bus tours. Some of the guides tell many interesting stories about the places visited. Book in advance!

Explore natural history at Basel's Naturhistorisches Museum! From dinosaurs to mammals, discover collections that have been preserved for centuries. Spend an unusual night surrounded by saber-toothed tigers or go fossil hunting for an unforgettable birthday. Whether you're fascinated by the animal world, hungry for scientific knowledge or amazed by life on earth, Basel's Naturhistorisches Museum promises an unforgettable experience.

Overlooking Zurich's skyline, this small (by Swiss standards) 871-metre-high mountain is affectionately known as "Zurich's mountain". A trip to the top of the Uetliberg promises a day out in nature and a breath of fresh air on the outskirts of the city (30 minutes from downtown). The highlight? A splendid panoramic view of the city, the lake, the Limmat and the Alps in the distance. Each season has its own charms: in summer, the mountain offers superb walks and bike rides, in November, Zurich locals come to seek the sun hidden above the stratus clouds, while in winter, the hiking trails transformed into toboggan runs delight the young (and not so young). The panoramic tower of the Hotel Uto Kulm, which proudly bears the title of "Top of Zurich", ensures an even more spectacular view. The hike from Uetliberg over the mountain range to the Albis Pass offers splendid views of the city of Zurich, the lake and the Central Swiss Alps. The route is perfectly signposted and there are hardly any climbs. At the end of the trail, you'll be rewarded with a natural treasure, Lake Türlen, where in some places you can even go for a swim. Departure point: Uetliberg station, Zürich. Arrival point: Türlen Landhus bus station. Duration: 4 hours. The "Planet Trail" links Uetliberg to Felsenegg in 2 hours via a ridge path. It offers a reconstruction of the solar system and a discovery of the planets. Fun and unusual.

Like the abbey, St. Gallen Cathedral is one of the city's highlights. It is a fine example of late Baroque in the Bodensee Baroque style. The first part is particularly beautiful, with its two towers, but the second part had to undergo a restoration (1961-1967) which made it lose the charm of the old. Built in 1755 to a design by Peter Thumb, the cathedral is richly decorated with figures, frescoes, sculptures and altarpieces illustrating the history of the abbey, particularly through the figures of Gallus and Otmar. The most remarkable elements are certainly the confessionals, the rococo pulpit and the rood screen. The artists who worked on the decorations include the painter Joseph Wannenmacher, the stucco artists Johann Georg and Mathias Gil from Wessobrunn and the woodcarvers Fidel Sporer and Gabriel Loser. The high altar (1808-1810) is also noteworthy, but in a different style from the rest of the building. Note the many roses carved in the wood of the confessionals, the rose being the flower of secrets. Another interesting detail for the French: the small size of the cathedral's entrance door would have been intended to prevent Napoleon from entering with his horse!

Lapidarium: it is located at the west entrance and contains a precious collection of building stones, covering a period from the 8th to the 17th century (open every day from 2 to 4 pm).

It's the ideal starting point for the French who want to immerse themselves in Basel's lifestyle: all the information you need to discover this metropolis in pocket format, and a store brimming with gift ideas. Here you can buy your BaselCard, a real passport to the city: 50% discount on museums, guided city tours and free public transport. There are five free self-guided walking tours.

Why were there bears in Bern? Did they come from the mountains? According to tradition, Berthold V of Zähringen, the city's founder, shot a bear on the Aare peninsula, giving the city its name(Bär = bear). Bears have lived in Bern ever since, and can be observed playing, swimming and climbing at close quarters in a 6,000^m2 park created in 2009 on the banks of the River Aare. Finn, Björk, Ursina and Berna are currently the stars of the Bear Park. They can be seen all year round, except during hibernation.

Located in the heart of the city, the museum displays a unique collection of 6,000 objects on 4 floors and over 1,000 m²: dolls and their homes, miniature teddy bears (the oldest date back to 1904) and contemporary models. The absolutely gigantic collection is not presented chronologically, but seeks to recreate a particular atmosphere. For all those who have kept their childlike spirit and appreciate the world of play.

Discover the world of Jean Tinguely at the eponymous museum designed by architect Mario Botta. This contemporary building pays tribute to the Swiss artist of perpetual motion. The central hall houses up to twenty mechanical sculptures, symphonies of moving metal. The exhibition "La roue = c'est tout" (The Wheel = That's All) until spring 2025 offers an insight into Tinguely's work. Explore his relationship between man and machine through interactive activities. From his fragile youth to his monumental creations, discover his career. The Chez Jeannot bistro invites you to take a gourmet break.

Discover the medieval paper mill, an exceptional site on the banks of the Rhine. Carefully restored, it offers an insight into the ancestral art of papermaking. Explore the four floors of interactive exhibits and workshops, from raw fiber to precious paper. Take part in demonstrations to relive history, with workshops designed for schools and groups. To prolong the experience, take advantage of the bar-restaurant with its terrace (open for lunch and afternoon meals).

It was built around 1230 and is in a perfect state of preservation. It is now used for events, with the exception of a floor reserved for the Polish Museum. This museum was created in 1970 by Polish emigrants who came to Switzerland as a refugee following the unrest in their country (insurrection of January 1863). The exhibition deals with Polish history, its traditions, its struggles, its regained independence and its relations with Switzerland over the years.

Discover Basel Zoo, a biodiversity oasis in the heart of the city, with over 500 species from all over the world. Accessible from the SBB station and the city center, the "Zolli" is ideal for the whole family. Every day, the residents receive their food ration, offering a unique proximity. Pelicans and sea lions are fed at 3 p.m., with daily presentations and vivarium festivities at 3 and 4 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. In winter, don't miss the majestic penguin walk from the vivarium deck.

The Skulpturhalle Basel now houses over 2,200 casts, offering a representative perspective on ancient sculpture. This unique collection is one of the most prestigious in the world. Don't miss the extraordinary "Parthenon Project". Decades of painstaking work have enabled us to reconstruct, in the form of casts, all the remains of the architectural sculpture of the Athenian temple of the Parthenon, and a series of exact 1:20 scale architectural models offer a breathtaking vision of the temple's architecture.

The Grossmünster Cathedral, a shrine steeped in history and a true emblem of Zurich, has marked the cityscape and the old town for many centuries. According to legend, it was Charlemagne who had the church built when he discovered the tombs of Felix and Regula, the patron saints of the city of Zurich, martyrs who died for the Christian faith against Roman domination. Its construction in Romanesque style began in 1100 and spanned a long period with numerous renovations and alterations over the centuries. In the 16th century, Ulrich Zwingli, the main architect of the Reformation in Zurich, was appointed parish priest of the cathedral and turned the city over to Protestantism within a few years. In 1525, Catholic services were officially abolished, and Grossmünster became the first Reformed church in Switzerland. The cathedral's characteristic two large, identical towers, once made of wood, were replaced in 1781 by neo-Gothic bell towers. One of the two towers, the Charlemagne Tower (Karslturm), has a copy of a statue of Charlemagne at its top, the original being housed in the crypt, the oldest part of the site. The chancel has beautiful stained glass windows by Augusto Giacometti from 1932 highlighting scenes from the Old Testament. In 2009, German artist Sigmar Polke created beautiful agate windows in the nave depicting key figures from the Old Testament. The most courageous will climb the 187 steps to the top of the Charlemagne Tower.

Since 2016, the Gegenwart, part of Basel's Kunstmuseum, has been dedicated to contemporary art. Housed in a beautifully restored ^19th-century factory, it offers three levels of permanent and temporary exhibitions, including installations and videos. Lectures, debates and guided tours enrich the experience. Explore works by Beuys, Nauman, Trockel... as well as contemporary American art. The Gegenwart is not just a museum, but a promise of discovery, inspiration and wonder, offering a unique sensory and intellectual experience.

The Urania Observatory built in 1907 is open to the public. Everyone can therefore have the chance to observe the stars and planets thanks to the telescope that grows 600 times. Seeing this beautiful object is already worth the trip, but the evening becomes truly magical evenings without clouds. For those who want to have the head in the stars, for real!

Discover Basel's Antikenmuseum, part of the cantonal administration, home to an exceptional collection of Egyptian, Greek, Italian, Etruscan and Roman works of art. Captivating exhibitions offer a unique perspective on antiquity. The Skulpturhalle features casts of ancient sculptures, including the Parthenon. Guided tours and workshops complete this immersive experience. The Antikenmuseum is a dynamic cultural venue to discover.

Before or after your visit to the Tinguely Museum, a very pleasant stroll is required in this park where it makes good sense to rejuvenate under the centenary trees overlooking the banks of the Rhine. The bravest will find a small staircase and the summer will be thrown into the Rhine to be drifted slowly to the Rheinbrücke or beyond. Don't forget your shirt and your little backpack (the Wieckelfisch) that will serve as a float and in which you will dry your clothes dry (for sale at the OT Basel).

At the foot of the castle (Schloss Rapperswil), the Katholische Pfarrkirche St. Johann stands on the rising eastern flank of the castle hill, on the Herrenberg. It was built in the ^13th century, in 1253 by Count Rudolph. After a fire in 1885 spared only the Romanesque Gothic towers, the parish church of St. John was completely rebuilt in neo-Gothic style. It was decoratively painted in the ^20th century.

Davos is best known for its high-profile World Economic Forum, but the resort and its 13,000 inhabitants will show you that Davos is much more than that! Whether you're looking for a powdery winter getaway or a summer activity, the tourist office will help you organize your stay. To get the most out of your stay, we offer a range of activity passes, so you can experience the mountains to your heart's content. There are family passes, activity passes, bike passes..

The Cathedral of St. Bear and St. Victor is named after two martyrs: Bear of Solothurn, a Roman Christian saint, and Victor of Solothurn. Despite its size and decoration, this neo-classical cathedral dating from 1773 impresses with its harmony, the correctness of its proportions and the care taken in its construction during the Baroque period by master builders and craftsmen from Ticino - true goldsmiths. It is one of the most beautiful in the country.

The Reichenbach Falls can be visited from early May to early October. They owe part of their fame to the writer Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and his mythical character Sherlock Holmes. It was here that the famous detective staged his own death by jumping from the 120 m high waterfall. To get up there, a historic train rises to the top and leads to a platform. From this upper station, which is also accessible on foot, you have a spectacular view of the waterfall and the Hasli Valley.

Eight centuries of art to understand and contemplate! Switzerland's oldest museum (founded in 1809) presents a collection of works spanning eight centuries, from the Gothic period to contemporary art. It currently holds over 4,000 paintings and sculptures, and around 45,000 drawings, prints, photographs, videos and films. Among ^{twentieth-century} artists, Paul Klee, Giacometti, Pablo Picasso, Ferdinand Hodler and Meret Oppenheim, give it an international reach.

The original building, part of a monastery, dates from the 13th century and was built in Romanesque style. In 1561-62 it was enlarged and almost completely rebuilt, this time in Gothic style. It was then remodeled several times, in Renaissance, Baroque and Rococo styles. Note the flag paintings, illustrating the conquests of the city of Lucerne during its maximum expansion. This bank is also an opportunity to see and photograph the quays on the right bank. You can cross from one bank to the other via the Kapellbrücke.

It is the largest castle in the canton, once inhabited by a dragon according to legend. After killed, the two noble Wolfram knights and Guntram settled there. Although modified several times over the centuries, its foundations date back to the th century. Very well restored at the beginning of the th century, the castle fully captures this diversity of buildings, since there are three different sites: the house of the Knights, the Stapfer house and the historical museum of Aargau. The first, pleasant white construction, sober and impressive, the throne to the southwest of the courtyard and serves as an exhibition or banquet room.

The second, more classical, is not visiting because it is reserved for associative life, but it is an opportunity to cross the beautiful gardens, recreated according to the original th plans. Finally, the museum, housed in the residential unit of bailiffs, traces in its four sections the history of the canton.

Arbon, a small town steeped in history on the southern shores of Lake Constance in Switzerland, offers visitors a wide range of activities. Its medieval castle, located in the heart of the old town, as well as its green spaces and three-kilometer lakefront path, are perfect for walking, cycling or rollerblading. Arbon is also an ideal starting point for exploring the Lake Constance cycle route, which links the three main inland lakes of Central Europe. History buffs can visit the Arbon Castle History Museum, which exhibits important archaeological finds, and the Saurer Museum, which displays restored vehicles from the famous Arbon manufacturer. The old town's fish market square regularly hosts markets, concerts and festivals. In summer, visitors can enjoy the long lake promenade, parks and swimming beach. In winter, Arbon is an ideal starting point for the skiing areas of Appenzell and Toggenburg.

Built between 1256 and 1344, this tower, the second western gate of Bern, was used as a prison from 1641 to 1897. Political exhibitions are regularly held here. It is said that the mother of Ferdinand Hodler (one of Switzerland's most famous painters) was a cook in the tower in the 19th century. Since 1999 it has been the seat of the political forum of the Swiss Confederation. The Prison Tower is now a symbol of democracy, participation and exchange.

Berne Cathedral towers 100 metres above the city. With its bell tower, the tallest in Switzerland, it is the country's most important Gothic building. Admire the portal with its depiction of the Last Judgement, as well as its ^18th-century organ, partly rebuilt in 1999. A fantastic panorama awaits you from the bell tower, which houses Switzerland's most imposing bell ensemble. The large drone, cast in 1611, alone weighs 9,940 kg!