Trains to Berne
Image: Flooffy reproduced with thanks under a CC Attribution 3.0 Unported Licence
A clandestine capital city, Berne is the least-known of Switzerland's cities. But with an open air bear park, quaint medieval architecture and delightful low rise skyline, it will hide in the shadows no more. Days can be spent musing over physics at the Einstein museum, or picnicking with teddybears on the bank of the river. Meanwhile, day trippers can take a short train ride to nearby Thun to play princes and princesses in a fairytale castle on the lake’s edge. So look no further for inspiration, and it couldn't be easier to reach by train... More
Reaching Berne from the UK by train is a breeze. From London, board one of the regular Eurostar services bound for Paris Gare du Nord. Here hop on one of the regular RER services which take just 7 mins to reach Gare du Lyon on the banks of the Siene. From Paris-Lyon hop on the once-daily TGV direct to Berne’s main station of the same name. Or change onto an Intercity service at Geneva for a slower but perhaps more flexible option.
Once you've arrived in the heart of the city, its manageable size should maintain even the most neurotic traveller's peace of mind. So relax, and get involved with some of the activities we recommend...
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Day Trip to a Fairytale
A twenty minute train trip from the Swiss capital, Thun is the ideal spot for day trippers. Zip around on local trams or head for a mini-adventure in the nearby Bernese Alps, for a peaceful change from the relative hubbub of the larger Swiss cities.
With an extraordinary 12th Century castle teetering precariously above the gorgeous old town and placid lake, arriving in Thun is like stepping into a world worthy of a fairytale; lush parks, quaint architecture and riverside restaurants abide in this fine example of Swiss traditional culture. Bliss, give or take the odd alphorn.
Thun Castle is well worth a visit for it’s picture-postcard beauty alone. If you’re there in summer then swing by in the evening to catch a classical opera or violin concerto.
If looking at the mountains has sufficiently whet your appetite, hop on the cable car at Mülenen and enjoy the breathtaking views during the 30 minute ascent up Mount Neisen. They don’t call Thun the backdoor to the Bernese Oberland for nothing, and you’ll soon see why as outrageously beautiful vistas of snow-capped peaks slide into view.
Image: Carthesian reproduced with thanks under a CC Attribution 2.0 Generic Licence
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Urban Bears
With every crest, flag and street corner proudly emblazoned with its image, you quickly get the impression on visiting Berne that bears are kind of a big deal. You would be right, as this is how the city got its name. Legend has it that the city’s founder claimed he would name it after the first animal he successfully hunted, and it just so happened to be a bear.
With that knowledge, you would be a fool to visit Berne and not make the trek to its famous Bear Park. Set against the bank of the river Aare, this hilly enclosure is home to a number of brown bears. Though you may have to jostle for space with other gawking tourists, you will almost certainly be rewarded with a glimpse of these fine creatures as they scale trees, roll in the grass (and um...eat honey?) in the Spring sunshine.
Winter visitors can probably give it a miss and get back to the slopes - hibernating bears glimpsed via webcam aren’t quite so interesting.
Image: Edwin.11 reproduced with thanks under a CC Attribution 2.0 Generic Licence
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A Rich Heritage
Berne is a UNESCO world heritage site, and a lovely one at that. Although locals are often criticised for their overzealous pride in its heritage status, it is a rather fetching old town. After all, who can resist a good old-fashioned cobbled street?
Some people bemoan the prettiness of Berne's old town as kitsch, so approach with care. But don’t let the twee reputation put you off, and invest time in the Swiss capital; these grand façades are worthy of the status accorded them. Track down Einstein’s house - now museum - in which he penned his theory of relativity, or seek out the bizarre statue of a child-eating ogre, replete with half-eaten toddlers.
Couple that with the Toblerone factory on the city outskirts, numerous ginger bread bakeries, plus the undeniable glory that Berne is the home of Emmental cheese and you’ve got yourself a long weekend of eating if nothing else.
Image: FR Antunes reproduced with thanks under a CC Attribution 2.0 Generic Licence