The Festival des ateliers (Workshop Festival) brings together museums of La Chaux-de-Fonds at the Musée international d’horlogerie on Sunday 22 November 2026, from 10 am to 5 pm. Entry is free.
The story
The festival is linked to World Children’s Day. Its 2nd edition took place on 19 November 2023.
Visitors could then try watch mechanics, build a water clock or a geared tellurium, and join a dance workshop.
The MIH grew out of the collections of the École d’horlogerie (watchmaking school), gathered from 1865. Its founding deed was signed on 24 March 1902. It took the name “Musée international d’horlogerie – L’homme et le temps (International Museum of Horology – Man and Time)” in 1968.
Its building, designed by Pierre Zoelly and Georges-Jacques Haefeli, was built from 1972 to 1974. The monumental carillon was installed in 1980. The museum holds more than 10,000 objects.
Who organises it
The Musée international d’horlogerie (MIH) hosts the festival. Partner museums of La Chaux-de-Fonds offer their activities there.
What to find
- MIH, a discovery day of its educational workshops
- Musée des beaux-arts, Musée d’histoire, Musée paysan et artisanal and MUZOO, interactive family activities
- Thierry Alari, watchmaker and creator of HOROKIT, an introduction to watchmaking skills, including assembling a watch
- A syrup bar
Practical information
- Date, Sunday 22 November 2026
- Times, 10 am to 5 pm
- Venue, Musée international d’horlogerie, Hans Erni room, rue des Musées 29, 2300 La Chaux-de-Fonds
- Price, free admission
Links
- Official site, Musée international d’horlogerie, Festival des ateliers
- All events across French-speaking Switzerland, Genève Infos Agenda
Sources
- Musée international d’horlogerie, Festival des ateliers, accessed on 14 November 2026
- International Museum of Horology, accessed on 14 November 2026
- Musée international d’horlogerie, history, accessed on 14 November 2026
- Freizeit.ch, Festival des ateliers 2023, accessed on 14 November 2026
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