Musée d’histoire de La Chaux-de-Fonds
History museum of La Chaux-de-Fonds in the Villa Sandoz, covering around 200 years of the city's history; the reference exhibition “Work In Progress” is free to enter.
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About the museum
The museum's origins go back to 1834, when the patriotic circle “L’Union” brought together the first collections on ethnography, natural history and regional history, along with a collection of coins and medals. After the society was dissolved following the Neuchâtel revolution, the collections passed into municipal ownership. In 1876 the holdings moved to the Collège industriel.
In 1923 the museum found its home in the Villa Sandoz and opened on 28 May as the “Musée historique et médaillier”. Its curators and directors include Albert Michaud (1889), Marcel Berbetat (1961), Tell Jacot (1964), Sylviane Musy (1981) and, since 2018, Francesco Garufo. In 1997 the museum dropped “Médaillier” from its name and broadened its outlook towards a global history.
After a renovation from 2010 to 2014, a further conversion follows in 2025 and 2026, which will link the building to the International Watch Museum via an underground passage and make it an anchor point in the Parc des musées. The collections span around 200 years of local history: furniture, clothing, art, weapons, medals, pin badges, vacuum cleaners and an astonishing collection of flatirons.
Highlights
- New reference exhibition “Work In Progress” with free admission
- Villa Sandoz in the Parc des musées
- Collection covering around 200 years of local history, from furniture to flatirons
- Playful activities: a history game and the trail game “Les Barons”
- Café des Musées in the Parc des musées
Permanent exhibition
- Work In Progress – The museum's new reference exhibition, accessible without an admission ticket.
- Founded
- 1834
- Director
- Francesco Garufo
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 15 · Free for under 16s, including special exhibitions |
|---|---|
| Groups (10+ people) | –Groups of 10 or more: CHF 8 per person (special exhibitions); one accompanying person free |
| Special exhibitions – full price | CHF 12Free on Sunday mornings 10 a.m.–12 noon; free for under 16s |
| Special exhibitions – reduced | CHF 8Students, seniors, unemployed people |
| Pass Musées La Chaux-de-Fonds – adults | CHF 20Valid for two days at five museums |
| Pass Musées La Chaux-de-Fonds – reduced | CHF 16 |
| Pass Musées La Chaux-de-Fonds – young people aged 12–16 | CHF 9Children under 12 free |
| Pass Musées La Chaux-de-Fonds – family | CHF 39Maximum 2 adults and 5 children |
Free admission: Free admission on Sundays 10 a.m.–12 noon, including the special exhibitions
The reference exhibition, the reception area, the “Petit salon” and the Café des Musées are accessible without a ticket; admission is charged only for special exhibitions. Free admission for members, with the Neuchâtel Tourist Card, ICOM/AMS card and Swiss Travel System, and for guide dog owners.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
All floors can be reached by lift, wheelchair and pushchair accessible. Because of construction work, access routes are temporarily altered; the entrance via Rue de la Loge is currently not possible (see the access plan).
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 15 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
- Stroller-friendly
Dedicated “Enfants et familles” area with games and a trail game through the museum; children under 16 have free admission to special exhibitions.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
La Chaux-de-Fonds (Gare CFF) · 10-min walk
The museum is about a 10-minute walk from La Chaux-de-Fonds railway station.
By car
Parking available
Métropole car park nearby; on Sundays parking in the blue and white zones is free.
The Parc des musées is currently becoming a construction site; access routes to the museum are temporarily altered.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
Café des Musées in the Parc des musées, accessible without an admission ticket.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Guided tours with commentary for groups and for the exhibitions; bookings at reservations@mhcdf.ch. The programme includes a history game developed by the museum (“L’histoire en jeux”), the trail game “Les Barons” and the education programme “TaM – Tandem au Musée”. |
