Solothurn might seem to a foreign traveller like any other small Swiss town. The city of 18,000 inhabitants has a medieval old town with flower-filled windows of geraniums, with countless fountains also adorned with flowerbeds. A city that exudes opulence and tranquillity, with its banks, astronomical clock tower and museum of fine arts.
And yet the elegance of its facades sets Solothurn apart. unusual elegance for a city of this size. Just like the gigantic white stone cathedral, whose imposing dome dwarfs the city's skyline.
Royal ambassadors, Jesuits and Napoleon...
A bastion of the Counter-Reformation, Solothurn was elected in 1530 city of residence of the ambassadors of the Kingdom of France. They had a major influence on the city until they left in 1792, with the end of the monarchy. In particular, they were responsible for building churches in the Baroque and Classical styles that glorified the Catholic religion. These include the beautiful Jesuit church, built in 1680, and the cathedral, a masterpiece built in 1762 by an Italian architect.
The presence of French ambassadors created a veritable "courtyardThis is where the patricians displayed their decorum in their sumptuous residences. Admire the rich facades as you stroll along Hauptgasse. Finally, stop off at the Hôtel de la Couronne opposite the cathedral, one of the oldest hotels in Switzerland.
One of the hotel's most famous guests was Bonaparte in 1797. Exasperated by the Bernese government's reserved welcome and fearing for his life, the future Napoleon contented himself with a glass of water and left immediately. However, he left with a bill of more than 2,580 gold louis, the sum spent on preparations for his arrival. The bill is always displayed in the hotel lobby. And we're still waiting for the French government to pay!
