Musée de Saint-Imier
Regional museum in the Vallon de Saint-Imier with permanent exhibitions on regional history and the Jura troops, and an art room.
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About the museum
The museum goes back to 1861, when the collection of Georges Agassiz laid the foundation for an educational museum. Further holdings were added, such as the Challandes collection and contributions from Professor Louis Rollier; they covered natural science, history, ethnography and art. Lack of space forced several moves in the 20th century, including in 1955 to a police basement and in 1957 to the attic of a primary school, where the collection remained for about forty years.
From 1996 the museum was rebuilt and moved into its present premises on Rue Saint-Martin. The 17th-century building originally consisted of two houses and a forge, where the Bögli family worked metal. In December 2002 the new museum, now regionally oriented, opened; in 2016 it received cantonal recognition. After renovation work from 2017 to 2021, the expanded house reopened with a focus on regional history and the military history of the Jura.
Today it presents three permanent exhibitions: the regional display "En quête d’une identité", the "Espace des Troupes jurassiennes" and, since February 2024, the art room "Salle des beaux-arts".
Highlights
- "En quête d’une identité": five themes from settlement through geology and the watch industry to anarchism
- Chapter "De Bakounine à Espace Noir" on the anarchist federation of the Jura
- Espace des Troupes jurassiennes on the military history of the Jura from 1350
- Salle des beaux-arts with works by local and regional artists
- Historic 17th-century house in the old town center at the foot of the Tour Saint-Martin
Permanent exhibitions
- En quête d’une identité – Regional permanent exhibition on the identity of Saint-Imier in five themes: settlement, nature between Chasseral and Mont-Soleil, the watch industry, club life and anarchism.
- Espace des Troupes jurassiennes – Inter-Jura exhibition on the military history of the Jura.
- Salle des beaux-arts – Art room with works by local and regional artists.
- Founded
- 1861
- Director
- Coraline Gajo
Admission & discounts
| Adults | CHF 8 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | CHF 6Reduced rate, including for senior citizens and students |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 15 · Children under 16 enter free. |
| Seniors | CHF 6 |
| Students & apprentices | CHF 6 |
| Groups (10+ people) | CHF 5 per personPer adult, for groups of 10 or more. |
| Families | CHF 12Family rate for 2 adults with children. |
| Group guided tour (5–15 people, 1 hour) | CHF 120Register 2 weeks in advance. |
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
Most of the museum is accessible for people with limited mobility; the art room can only be reached by stairs. Accessible toilets are available.
Kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 15 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | CHF 12 · Family rate for 2 adults with children. |
Children under 16 enter free; a family rate of CHF 12 is listed.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Bahnhof Saint-Imier
Less than a 10-minute walk from Saint-Imier train station; direct train connections from La Chaux-de-Fonds (about 15 minutes) and Neuchâtel (about 45 minutes).
By car
Parking at Place du Marché, about a one-minute walk from the museum.
Amenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 60 min |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Group guided tours for 5 to 15 people last one hour and must be booked two weeks in advance. For school classes there are educational offers such as "Naturalistes en herbe" (HarmoS grades 3–6) and "Qu’est-ce qu’on mange mon capitaine ?" (HarmoS grades 5–8), each about 1 hour 15 minutes; free for schools from the Vallon de Saint-Imier, CHF 50 for other schools. |
