Living in Switzerland’s largest bilingual city
Biel/Bienne offers a wealth of advantages as a place to live: a lively urban centre, quiet leafy neighbourhoods, accommodation to suit every taste and necessity, and – last but not least – the pleasure of seeing a bilingual city in action day after day.
If you’re thinking of moving to Biel/Bienne, you could hardly make a better choice. One reason is the way the French and German languages rub shoulders all the time. The two are everywhere: in the stairwell, in the street, in shops, in playgrounds, at school, in community associations or in the workplace. Present in everyday life, this interplay between French and German makes it easier for newcomers to learn the language they don’t know yet. In Biel-Bienne, 56.6% of the population is primarily German-speaking and 43.4% is primarily French-speaking.
Inspired by this constant exchange between two cultures, creativity knows no bounds in Biel/Bienne. The range of activities on offer, from long-established institutions to the alternative cultural scene, is astonishingly rich and varied.
Living in an exceptional setting
The wide range of accommodation on offer in Biel/Bienne meets almost every need. You’re spoilt for choice: from a cosy flat in the historical old town to cooperative-run accommodation, a modern family-sized flat or city-centre housing for senior citizens. Or you might be looking for a prestige address with an extension overlooking the lake, or a property offering breathtaking views of the lake, the city centre and the Alps. Or maybe even a detached house in the countryside – it’s all possible. The best thing is that property prices here are significantly lower than in Bern, Geneva or Zurich. Local residents also benefit from an affordable cost of living and lower taxes.
Ideal for families
Biel/Bienne is an attractive location for families, for whom life is made easier by the strong supply of childcare facilities. The city council encourages bilingual projects and teaching from infant school upwards. The local education system also includes a sport, culture and study programme, upper secondary schools and specialist university-level colleges.
Alex Grouet is passionate about watchmaking and runs the blog madeinbienne.ch. He has been living in Biel/Bienne with his wife and their three boys since 2018. On leaving Paris, they looked for a place where their children could still be educated in French. In Biel/Bienne, they discovered the dual French-German linguistic culture and the advantages this offers. Find out more about Alex:
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«World capital of watchmaking»
Biel/Bienne is a major business location. Its watchmaking and precision-engineering export-oriented industries have helped raise the city’s profile around the globe. Qualified people can find stimulating jobs and a wide range of career-development opportunities in future-oriented sectors.
A city on the rise
Situated on the shores of Lake Biel in the Three-Lakes Region at the foot of the Jura mountains, Biel/Bienne offers an exceptional setting for relaxation and leisure. The range of sporting activities offered by schools and community clubs, the modern sports infrastructure and the varied landscapes provide plenty of incentives to get active, especially outdoors.
Get to know Biel/Bienne by visiting: www.welcometobiel/bienne.ch