| Overview | Things to do | Suitability | Country Info (Switzerland) |
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You might expect Basle (also known as Basel, Bâle in French, and often anglicized to Bâle), situated on the Rhine exactly where Switzerland, Germany and France touch noses, to be the focal point of the continent, humming with pan-European energy.
Basle is a modern city with a beautifully preserved medieval centre, Basle's history spans 2,000 years, going back to the Celts and Romans. With a wide area covering 23 sq mls, the centre is split by the Rhine into the larger Grossbasel, on the S (left) bank, and Kleinbasel, on the N (right) bank. The compact, mainly pedestrianised Old Town, with its cathedral, Gothic buildings, fountains, lively Market Square and many medieval craftsmen's houses is rich in history as well as offering plenty of eating and drinking venues. Moving into the 21st century, the city has successfully reinvented itself as a metropolis of art and culture with over 30 museums, many art galleries and over 1,000 concerts each year. It is also a popular venue for international conventions and trade fairs. Basle/Basel is located in N Switzerland, exactly in the centre of Europe, abutting the borders with Germany and France, 62 mls N of Berne, 52 mls W of Zurich, 4 mls SE of Basel-Mulhouse airport. It is positioned at the elbow of the Rhine river where it turns N; straddling both sides of the river, one side slightly elevated and providing views of 3 countries, Switzerland, France and Germany. |
