Courtelary: Chocolate and trails through local history

Camille Bloch’s visitor experience, a themed hike exploring the historic use of hydropower, and several historic buildings give Courtelary a varied character. Yellow-marked hiking trails also wind through the village and its higher elevations. Chocolate, architectural history and outdoor activity can each be a focus of your trip.

Getting here, the river and hiking trails

Trains on the Biel–La Chaux-de-Fonds line stop at Courtelary station; check the timetable before your trip. From there, Camille Bloch’s visitor centre is a five-minute walk. Check the centre’s visitor arrangements before setting out. The Suze flows through Courtelary, rises near Les Convers and empties into Lake Biel.

The Sentier du Vallon runs from Saint-Imier to Courtelary. The route is 6.6 kilometres long and takes 1 hour and 35 minutes; it is considered easy and family-friendly. Along the way, the trail explains the historic use of hydropower in the Vallon de Saint-Imier. For anyone interested in the region’s development, it offers a tangible point of reference during the hike.

Courtelary has around 15 kilometres of yellow-marked hiking trails that pass through the village and its higher elevations. Trail conditions can vary seasonally; check conditions before your hike.

Chocolate and local production

At the Camille Bloch visitor centre, a 4D Cine-Gaming experience lets visitors follow the production of Ragusa from a hazelnut’s perspective; the experience is considered unique in Switzerland. Visitors can also watch the production lines in operation. A Camille Bloch visitor centre with a bistro opened in Courtelary in 2017. Those who want more than just to watch the production can make their own Ragusa, Torino or liqueur chocolates. Check the current programme before your visit.

At the Pressoir de Courtelary, customers can bring in apples, pears or quinces and, by appointment, receive fresh or pasteurised juice.

Traces of different eras

The historic church in Courtelary has Romanesque origins and dates back to the 10th or 11th century. It was extended in 1372, 1642 and 1773. During a restoration in 1933, 14th-century frescoes were uncovered. This sequence illustrates how the building brings together several historical periods.

Courtelary Castle was built in 1606. Fourteen bailiffs succeeded one another there between 1606 and 1792. The year of construction coincides with the beginning of this succession of bailiffs, linking the building to Courtelary’s administrative history at the time.

The former Langel factory can be visited as part of a guided tour. Tours are available year-round and must be booked in advance through the tourist office. The factory opened in 1917; the last worker left the plant in 1997. Courtelary’s Heimatstil-style school building dates from 1908. Compared with the Romanesque church, it therefore belongs to a much later period of construction.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Plagne, Cormoret, Mont-Tramelan, Renan, Péry, Villeret Be, Sonvilier, La Ferrière Be, Cortébert, St-Imier, Orvin, Courtelary.

For the main travel overview: Bern.