Basel-Mulhouse
Basel
The city of Basel is situated in a bend of the river Rhine, where three countries meet: France, Germany, and Switzerland. The river divides the city into two parts, which are connected by six bridges. The well-preserved Old Town is testament to the long history of the city, with imposing Medieval typical red sandstone buildings, and elegant Baroque patrician houses. The history of Basel can be traced back to the first century B.C. when Celts made a settlement on what is now Cathedral Hill. It has been continuously inhabited since then. Cathedral Hill has served as a known place of religious worship since the 8th century, when the Hungarians destroyed the Carolingian cathedral during an attack. The current building has been there since 1356, when the earlier Romanesque building was restored in the Gothic style after a devastating earthquake.
Basel today is very proud of its cultural heritage: Art ranks high on Basel’s list of priorities. There are more than 30 museums in the city, providing evidence for the slogan "Basel - Culture Unlimited". Basel has the largest theatre complex for staging performances of all genres and is classified as a real city of music.
Basel’s great variety in gastronomy is also worth mentioning: because of the city’s unique location in the Three Countries Corner, you can savour the finest of French cuisine, discover specialities from southern Baden and try out delicacies from all parts of the world. Restaurants cover a range that meets every conceivable taste and culinary desire. And that at the very highest level: within a 30-minute drive from Basel, there is a choice of more than a dozen Michelin-starred restaurants.
Business travellers will be predominantly attracted to the northern part of Basel. This is a predominantly industrial area where most of Switzerland’s chemical and pharmaceutical industries are based, as well as an important share of the country’s watch making industry.
The city is an ideal base from where to explore The Black Forest, the Jura and the Vosges. Outdoor activities aplenty, as this area has a great reputation for hiking, mountain climbing, skiing, abseiling, and hang-gliding.
For latest news on what to see and where to go, visit Basel Tourismus, the city's most extensive tourist information website, or the city of Basel's information website.
Mulhouse
Mulhouse is located in the Southern Alsace, only 30 minutes away from Basel (Switzerland), Freiburg (Germany) and the EuroAirport, and only an hour away from Strasbourg.
The name of Mulhouse was mentioned for the first time in 803. In 1308, the town obtained the status of Imperial City and remained an independent Republic until 1798, the year of its reunion with the French Republic. During the 19th century, Mulhouse became one of the wealthiest industrial cities of the country. Today, new sectors are emerging among the more conventional industries (automobile, electromechanical manufacturing, chemistry): computer-integrated manufacturing, telecommunication, industrial services applied to computer science, engineering and environmental science.
The city’s historical centre is worth a visit. The impressive medieval “Place de la Réunion” and the “Nouveau Quartier”, an architectural innovative set of buildings from the 19th century, for example, are important proof of Mulhouse’s historic heritage.
There are plenty of beautiful museums, such as the world-class National Automobile Museum with its Schlumpf Collection; the Train City and its incomparable collection; the Museum of Printed Fabrics tracing back the rich past of the city; or the Electropolis EDF Museum devoted to electricity. You may also wish to take a stroll through beautiful parks like the Zoological and Botanical Garden. Other museums a little further afield will also surprise you: the Wallpaper Museum in Rixheim, the Ecomusée in Ungersheim (an open-air museum) and the Wesserling Park – Textile Museum in Husseren-Wesserling.
Several events take place in Mulhouse each year:
- The International Carnival (February/March)
“Carnavaliers” from all over Europe and the supporting crowd take part in and enjoy festivals, parades, and other activities. - The Automobile Festival (July)
A three day event displaying 700 vintage cars in various exhibitions, followed by an impressive rally. - The Christmas Market (end of November to end of December)
Mulhouse, the Land of Christmas Carols and Fabrics
The Christmas Market is held on the Place de la Réunion, in the heart of the historical centre. Stalls decorated in Christmas style with special Christmas lights unique to Alsace offer a heart-warming atmosphere.
To find out more about the city visit the Tourist Office and Convention Bureau of Mulhouse website.
Airport information to and from Basel
easyJet flights depart from, and arrive into, the Swiss sector of EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg.
Airport information: +41 (0) 613 253 111
Lost luggage: see airport information telephone number. Items lost at the airport or the car park will be kept for three months, and can be collected daily between 09.00 and 18.00.
By road
Follow the A35 motorway into Basel city centre. The route is well signposted, and takes approximately 15 minutes.
By coach
Airline 50 travels between Basel city centre and the airport. Journey time is approximately 15 minutes.
By taxi
Whether travelling alone or as part of a group, going skiing or a city break, book your door-to-door transfers in advance with HolidayTaxis. Both shared shuttle and private transfers are available to an extensive range of destinations.
The cost for a taxi from the airport into the city centre is 35 CHF.
By train
A special airport bus travels between Basel train station and the airport.
Airport information to and from Mulhouse
By road
A35 then A36, direction ‘Mulhouse Centre’. The journey takes about 30 minutes.
By coach
The line 755 (St Louis – Mulhouse) connects the train station and centre of Mulhouse to the EuroAirport. The journey takes about 45 minutes.
By taxi
A one-way journey from the EuroAirport to the centre of Mulhouse costs around 40 €.
Whether travelling alone or as part of a group, going skiing or a city break, book your door-to-door transfers in advance with HolidayTaxis. Both shared shuttle and private transfers are available to an extensive range of destinations.
By train
Line 755 (St Louis – Mulhouse) connects Mulhouse train station to the EuroAirport.
Hotels
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