In Biel/Bienne, the NMB Nouveau Musée Bienne brings together archaeology, art and regional history in two buildings on the Suze promenade. This bilingual museum also presents the Robert Collection, the W. Piasio Cinécollection and a 19th-century bourgeois apartment.
Regional and local museums
Main highlights
- Three Lakes archaeology : human societies from the Mesolithic to the Roman era
- Robert Collection : 3,000 works by a family of naturalist painters
- W. Piasio Cinécollection : the history of cinema, from the magic lantern to the seventh art
Overview
The NMB Nouveau Musée Bienne was created in 2012 through the merger of the Musée Schwab and the Musée Neuhaus. A bilingual French-German museum, it traces the cultural history of the region from prehistory to the present day, with collections of national importance.
The Schwab building, built between 1871 and 1873, is the third building in Switzerland purpose-built as a museum. Its rotunda recalls that of the former Bibliothèque nationale in Paris. The Neuhaus building occupies the former Verdan-Neuhaus calico printing works, founded in 1747.
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What to see and do
The permanent archaeology exhibition presents the societies of the Three Lakes region, from the lake-dwelling sites to the Roman era. It stems from the donation of Friedrich Schwab, who gathered his objects around the lakes of Biel, Neuchâtel and Murten in the 1850s.
The Robert Collection brings together works by Léo-Paul, Philippe and Paul-André Robert, combining art with the observation of nature. It is shown through regularly renewed semi-permanent exhibitions. The restored 19th-century bourgeois apartment recreates daily life, right down to its smells.
The W. Piasio Cinécollection, acquired by the city in 1987, documents the evolution of cinema. A 20 m² interactive model of Biel at a scale of 1 :1000 and an exhibition on the city’s bilingualism round off the visit.
Practical information
Getting there : about a 12-minute walk from Biel/Bienne station, also served by bus. A disabled parking space is located behind the museum, at the end of Karl-Neuhaus-Strasse.
Visit duration : at least 2 hours for the full tour.
Audience : adults and families, with activities for children, including birthday parties.
On site : ticket desk in the Neuhaus building, temporary exhibitions in the Schwab building.
Visitor tips
If you are new to Biel/Bienne, start with the interactive model to get your bearings on the city’s neighbourhoods before continuing the tour.
The bourgeois apartment may have its own opening hours : check before you go. If you’re visiting with family, ask about the activities offered with the Centre Pasquart.
Nearby attractions
- The Cité du Temps in Biel/Bienne houses the Swatch and Omega museums dedicated to Swiss watchmaking.
- The Pasquart Centre d’Art hosts temporary exhibitions of Swiss and international contemporary art.
- Nidau Castle, a 14th-century fortress, is home to the regional museum of the Bernese Seeland.
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