Designed as a meeting point for all watchmaking enthusiasts, the Hôtel des Horlogers, under the direction of André Cheminade, is unique and welcoming and aims to encourage the development of tourism in the Vallée de Joux, the cradle of Swiss watches, by promoting the region's know-how and heritage.
Known as the Audemars Piguet hotel, the Hôtel des Horlogers was designed by the Danish studio BIG Bjarke Ingels Group and created by the Swiss architectural studio CCHE, the same two partners who also designed the Musée Atelier Audemars Piguet located a few steps away.
Its structure gradually integrates with the surrounding meadows and has obtained the Minergie-ECO certification and implemented a holistic sustainable approach, from the development of the building to its daily operation, to reduce the environmental impact, using energy from renewable sources (such as photovoltaic panels and district heating powered by local wood).
The hotel also reduces its environmental impact with positive initiatives such as bottling water on site and using biodegradable materials. It's no coincidence that it was awarded the "Best Practices 2023" prize by the European Hotel Managers Association (EHMA).
Crafted from local materials, all 50 rooms and suites offer unobstructed views of the surrounding meadows. The furnishings are welcoming and refined, with extensive use of local fir and large windows that lend a contemporary feel. An internal passageway follows the hotel's distinctive zigzag structure and connects the various areas.
The hotel also includes two restaurants, La Table des Horlogers offers cuisine inspired by the region's natural beauty, with a seasonal menu, and Brasserie Le Gogante, a more informal option for lunch and dinner, also featuring a menu showcasing regional produce. There's also a bar open to all.
The Spa by Alpeor wellness center offers a variety of treatments, massages, a sauna, and a Turkish bath. For those wishing to organize group meetings and conferences, there are two rooms equipped with the latest technology. The lobby ceiling features imposing white tree trunks, giving the impression of the forest reflecting on Lac de Joux, and the reception area is shaped like a fossil.
The Hôtel des Horlogers was rebuilt on the site of the Hôtel de France, which was founded in Le Brassus in 1857 and welcomed visitors from around the world for over a century. The hotel became an important stop on the Chemin des Horlogers, the watchmaking route that connected the watchmaking workshops of the Vallée de Joux to Geneva, where timepieces were delivered to retailers.
It was rebuilt in 1984 and welcomed numerous visitors until its closure in 2000. In 2003, Audemars Piguet purchased and renovated this historic local landmark, which opened its doors to a new generation of visitors in 2005 under its current name. Subsequently, seeking a project more in line with the brand's values and evolving environmental standards, Audemars Piguet closed the hotel in 2016 to rethink its concept. The cornerstone of the new project was laid on June 4, 2018, and a few months later, it received the "Leisure Led Development Future Project Award" at the World Architecture Festival. After years of work, the Hôtel des Horlogers began welcoming new visitors to the Vallée de Joux again in 2022.
Its location is ideal for activities such as hiking, cycling, cross-country skiing and downhill skiing, depending on the season, and is close to the Espace Horloger, which offers two permanent exhibitions that provide insights into the history of watchmaking and the region, and several manufacturers such as Zenith, Tudor, Montblanc and Ulysse Nardin.
Hotel des Horlogers
Route de France 8
1348 Vallée de Joux Switzerland
Tel + 41 21 845 08 45
