Centre Müller / Maschinenmuseum

About the museum

The Centre Müller goes back to the Müller family, who collected rare machine tools over decades and pursued the idea of turning them into a museum. The impetus came in 1996 with the decision to hold the national exhibition Expo.01 in the Three Lakes region. A foundry built in 1901 in Biel suggested itself as the location; the company Müller Machines had already acquired it in 1942 and subsequently used it as a workshop, a paint shop for machine overhauls and a depot.

On 26 April 2002 the museum was first inaugurated in a closed circle, and the public was able to visit for the first time at the beginning of May. Visitors are transported back to the working world of around 1900: authentically recreated workshops show over 150 machines from the years 1880 to 1940, including wood lathes and decolletage workshops, where lifelike figures appear to be at work. The museum thus recalls the role of the Biel region as a centre of Swiss machine tool manufacturing.

A room with state-of-the-art machines of the 21st century contrasts the clatter of the past with computer-controlled technology. The building also includes a 200-square-metre multipurpose hall with exposed timber beams from the time of construction, which is rented out for seminars, receptions and banquets.

Highlights

• Over 150 machine tools from the years 1880 to 1940
• Recreated workshops with lifelike figures
• Former foundry from 1901
• Room with modern CNC machines of the 21st century
• Multipurpose hall with historic timber beams

Permanent exhibition

• Maschinenmuseum Centre Müller – Over 150 machines from 1880 to 1940 in recreated workshops, plus a room with modern computer-controlled machines.

Founded

2002

Operated by

Muller Machines SA

Admission & discounts

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Multipurpose hall of 200 m² for seminars, conferences, receptions, exhibitions and banquets; rental prices from CHF 400 without and from CHF 600 with the museum (excluding VAT, cleaning extra).

Plan your visit