Last weekend, my husband and I finally visited a destination that has been on my bucket list for years! Known as the “Siberia of Switzerland,” this tiny village holds the record for the lowest temperature ever recorded in the country, and it looks like a winter wonderland!
Why is it so cold?
La Brévine was nicknamed the “Siberia of Switzerland” back in 1987 when temperatures here reached a record low of -41.8°C! Because of the way the valley is shaped, the cold air settles at the lowest point, creating a unique micro-climate.
Celebrate the Chill
Instead of hiding from the cold, the people here celebrate it! They host an annual Festival of Cold (Fête du Froid), which is packed with activities that make you forget the freezing temps.
You can watch ice swimmers get into a cut-out in the frozen lake! I, however, stayed firmly on the shore in my fluffy winter coat.
Don’t miss the dog sledding, or rather, the dogs pulling you for a “Cani-marche.” You can also wander through the local market to pick up regional products. There are even wood-carving and axe-throwing activities, horse-drawn carriage rides, and a huge tent where everyone sits together for choucroute (sauerkraut and sausages) to warm up.
Where to Eat
If you don’t want to eat lunch at the tent, make a reservation in advance at one of the local restaurants! The star of the show in La Brévine is the Fondue “Chaux-des-Taillères.” Instead of a traditional pot, the cheese is served directly inside a hollowed-out loaf of artisanal bread. It is the definition of “cozy.”
Here are the best spots to snag a table:
- Hôtel-de-Ville (La Brévine)
- Bar L’Isba (La Brévine)
- Chez Bichon (La Brévine)
- Hôtel-Restaurant Les Cernets
- Vieux-Puits (La Chaux-du-Milieu)
- Le Moulin (Le Cerneux-Péquignot)
It was one of those weekends that reminds you that even when the world feels frozen, there’s a lot of warmth to be found—usually in a loaf of bread filled with cheese 😉
What’s the coldest place you’ve ever been?
