Watch Museum of Le Locle

The Watch Museum of Le Locle is housed in the Château des Monts in Le Locle, Switzerland, and showcases exceptional automata, clocks and watches. Its collections trace 500 years of watchmaking evolution, from the constituent parts of a watch to Neuchâtel pendulum clocks and automata from the 18th and 19th centuries. The museum also dedicates an entire floor to the history and philosophy of time measurement. It hosts changing temporary exhibitions.

Families and Kids

The museum offers a free activity booklet that guides children through the rooms with quizzes, observation games, manual activities and films. Creative workshops let children build and decorate their own Neuchâtel pendulum clock, wall clock or pocket watch calendar, and a detective game is available for families. Activities are suitable from around 4 years old.

Information

  • Visit duration: 120 min
  • For rainy days: Yes
  • Topic: Crafts and industry
    • Guided tours: Yes
    • Workshops: Yes
    • Children experience: Child friendly
    • Children age group: 3-6, 6-12, 12-18
    • Children activities: Workshops, Interactive exhibits, Tours and demonstrations
    • Free entrance: No

Opening hours

From May to October, open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 17:00; from November to April, open Tuesday to Sunday from 14:00 to 17:00. Open on public holidays, including public holiday Mondays. Closed on 25 December and 1 January.
Monday
Closed
Tuesday
10:00-17:00 (May to October)
Wednesday
10:00-17:00 (May to October)
Thursday
10:00-17:00 (May to October)
Friday
10:00-17:00 (May to October)
Saturday
10:00-17:00 (May to October)
Sunday
10:00-17:00 (May to October)

Contact

Webpage
mhl-monts.ch
Email
mhl@ne.ch
Address
Rte des Monts 65, 2400 Le Locle

Access

Nearby stops

  • Le Locle, Château des Monts350 meters walking distance

Travel duration

From
Travel time
Neuchâtel
1h 1m
Bern
1h 49m
Olten
2h 20m
Lausanne
2h 26m
Thun
2h 27m

FAQ

  • Is the museum accessible by public transport?
    The museum can be reached by bus line 341, stop 'Château des Monts'. On Sundays, public holidays and during summer holidays, the MobiCité on-call bus service is available on reservation.
  • Is there free parking at the museum?
    Yes, there is free parking in front of the museum park for cars and coaches.
  • Can I visit the museum on foot from the station?
    From the station, the walk takes about 20 minutes with a 100-metre elevation gain, following the pedestrian path signs to the Château des Monts.
  • Are guided tours available for groups?
    Yes, guided tours are available for groups of up to 20 people per guide, in French, German, Swiss German and English. Reservation is required for commented visits.
  • Are there activities for children and families?
    Yes, the museum offers a free activity booklet for children, as well as various creative workshops such as building a Neuchâtel pendulum clock, making a wall clock or a pocket watch calendar, and a detective game called 'Meurtre au château'.

Included in