Things to see and do Berne

This is one of the highlights of your visit to Bern. The Institution is mainly devoted to the life and work of Paul Klee, a German artist born in Switzerland, near Bern, to a father who was a music teacher and a mother who was a singer. From an early age, Klee turned to the plastic arts. On a trip to Tunisia in 1914, he wrote in his diary: "Color possesses me, I no longer need to search for it. This is what this happy moment means: I and color are one

Paul Klee flourished in abstraction, playing with symbols and colors. A professor at the Bauhaus in Weimar, he was at the height of his artistic powers from 1920 onwards. But the coming to power of the Nazis precipitated his end. Classified by them as a "degenerate artist", he moved to Switzerland before his death in 1940.

In a wave-shaped building designed by architect Renzo Piano, inaugurated in 2005, the Centre houses the world's largest collection of over 4,000 works, including paintings, watercolours and drawings by the painter. It also features exhibitions dedicated to other artists. In 2023, the public will discover the late works of Joan Miró. Under the title "New Horizons", 74 works produced from the late 1960s onwards are presented for the first time in Switzerland. At the beginning of 2024, the German Dadaist Hanna Höch will be in the spotlight. Finally, as a true cultural center, the establishment offers concerts in its auditorium.

Created in 1191, it is the first western gate of the city and has housed the city's main clock since 1530. The top of the tower offers a beautiful view of the city. The clock is famous for its carousel of figures that come to life every hour. This masterpiece was designed by Casper Brunner. The automatons, dating from 1527-1530, start their ballet early (4 min), with the crowing of the rooster and the jester's bell. Then, on time, come the bears, who make as many turns as there are hours. The central figure, Cronos, then turns over his hourglass and signals the hours with his sceptre, while the lion does the same with a nod of his head; meanwhile, at the very top, Hans Von Tal rings the hours on the bell. Above the dial, the Roman deities Venus, Mars and Jupiter are painted on the wall with their attributes. Then the rooster closes the ballet by crowing a third time (allusion to the words of Jesus to Saint Peter). The movement of the clock, which can be seen on request, is still provided, rarely, by the original mechanism; a golden hand indicates the solar time, the Sun, the current zodiac sign; in the outer red part appears the day of the week; a black and gold ball indicates the phases of the Moon by turning on itself; finally, a star indicates the day of the week, in the Julian calendar (i.e. without taking into account the leap years) A must-see at any time to admire the automatons.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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!

Located 200 m from the Clock Tower, on the second and third floors of Kramgasse 49, this museum is a reconstruction of Einstein's apartment, where he carried out his early work on the theory of relativity. Portraits, photos, film, copies of documents and letters help us to better understand this genius. The tour takes you back to the life of Einstein, his wife Mileva and their son Hans Albert, between 1903 and 1905. Stroll through the two floors, surrounded by period furniture. A guided tour is also available.

This museum covers, in four languages, everything about the Alps: its history, culture and traditions, its fauna and flora, its place in art, Alpine sports... It also offers temporary exhibitions on environmental issues and sustainable development throughout the year. The museum deals with the most famous ascents and the life of men in alpine country. Photos and commentaries are used to support the temporary exhibitions. On the site, you will find the complete program to come. A restaurant awaits you on site.

It all started with the small bird library and a natural cabinet in the main library. Thanks to patrons, the collection has grown! The most important collection in Europe, presented in a diorama, with 226 display cases. European mammals and exotic birds are displayed in their natural environment. There is also a collection of precious stones. Barry, the Great Saint Bernard who died in 1814, is a favourite with visitors.

This cheese is best enjoyed with a platter of cold cuts. At the Tête de Moine House, you will discover the know-how of eight hundred years of cheese making. You can use your iPad to take a fun and interactive tour. You will go back in time and discover the know-how of an old cheese factory and a cheese cellar. You will extend the visit into local life and taste good local products. You may even be able to watch cheese being made over a wood fire.