La Chaux-de-Fonds

La Chaux-de-Fonds is a city located in the Jura mountains in Switzerland. It is located in the Canton of Neuchâtel at an altitude of 1000 m, a few kilometers from the French border. After Geneva, Lausanne, and Biel/Bienne, it's the fourth largest city in the French-speaking part of the country.

History

The region has first been inhabited about 10'000 years ago (Epipaleolithic). A skull and other traces have been found in caves nearby.

Related Topics:
Epipaleolithic - Caves

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In the middle of the 14th century, the forests found there have been colonised from the south. The region was under the authority of the lords of Valangin. Agriculture was the main activity. The first church has been built in 1528. The city became at the end of the 16th century an important crossroad between Neuchâtel and Franche-Comté.

Related Topics:
14th century - 16th century - Neuchâtel - Franche-Comté

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The community has grown during the Thirty Years' War, mainly because of its strategical position for trade. But economic activity really begins in the 18th century with the development of lace and watchmaking industry. Pierre Jacquet-Droz and his family is one of the most famous watchmakers of this time. He is best known for his automata.

Related Topics:
Thirty Years' War - 18th century - Lace - Watchmaking - Pierre Jacquet-Droz - Automata

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In 1794, a great fire burnt down the entire city. Charles-Henri Junod created the new city plan in 1835 as a grid, as you can see on the picture on the right.

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