Things to see and do Soleure

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 Altes Zeughaus, or former arsenal, is one of the most impressive buildings in Solothurn, and that's saying something! The museum has remained true to its military vocation, housing a collection of weapons and uniforms, from halberds to automatic pistols. Inside the building, you can admire numerous firearms, as well as nearly 400 suits of armour from the 15th to the 17th century. The exhibitions are fun and suitable for the whole family.

The Museum of Fine Arts in Solothurn is housed in a beautiful neoclassical building and has existed since 1902. An exceptional setting for a remarkable institution: indeed, it has many works dating from the Middle Ages, Swiss masters of the 19th and 20th centuries, French painters (from Degas to Léger), primitive art and graphic cabinet, and above all a good knowledge of Swiss and foreign art: Cézanne, Matisse, Van Gogh, Klimt. To be discovered!

In this village, Max Bösch, known as the "father of storks", founded a stork park after the last war to ensure the survival of this bird in Switzerland. The fact is that on many of the village's rooftops, whole families of storks nest and welcome visitors. Currently, about 20 nests are occupied and about 200 storks live here. The black stork, an endangered species, is a regular visitor. The storks are more numerous in summer.

Built at the end of the 17th century, Schloss Waldegg, which actually looks more like a manor house than a castle, has a baroque interior and garden. It is now a museum, illustrating the life of its owners in the 18th century. It is also a meeting place for the different languages of the Confederation. The building has a lot of allure and the visit is the pretext for a nice little stroll. A great family outing.

The Stiftung Jesuitenkirche Solothurn, the beautiful Jesuit church in Solothurn, is one of the most beautiful baroque buildings in Switzerland. Built in the 17th century between 1680 and 1689, according to the plans of the Jesuit Heinrich Mayer, it is distinguished by the limestone statue of the Virgin Mary on the main façade, as well as by its organ, built a century later, at the end of the 18th century. The church regularly hosts outstanding organ concerts.