Swiss Parks Network
Monbijoustrasse 61
CH-3007 Berne
Tel. +41 (0)31 381 10 71
Mob. +41 (0)76 525 49 44
info@parks.swiss
Landschaftspark Binntal - After extensive renovations, the Niederwald train station building became the Station Ritz on December 13th of 2019.
The new facilities include a bistro, an info point, a shop with regional products and changing rooms for hiking and cross-country skiing enthusiasts. The exhibitions on the upper floors are also well worth a visit:
A multifaceted permanent exhibition provides an insight into the life and work of the hotel king Caesar Ritz (1850-1918) and his wife Marie-Louise Ritz-Beck (1868-1961). Annual temporary exhibitions present cultural themes relating to the region or Caesar Ritz. A media guide is available for your visit in German and French. The exhibition can be visited daily from 8 am to 6 pm (street-side entrance to the museum). A guided tour is possible by appointment.
Caesar Ritz was born in 1850 in Niederwald. The youngest of 13 children, the farmer became a hotel manager and opened luxury restaurants and hotels in Paris, Rome and London. This hotelier seemed to have an exceptional talent for satisfying his guests and intuitively recognising their needs for comfort. His hotels were the first in the world to be equipped with bathtubs, electric lighting, phone and sophisticated furnishings.
After several years of depression, he died in 1918. He was buried in his hometown of Niederwald. A statue of Caesar Ritz was erected there in his honor.
The bistro at the Ritz station has around 35 seats and is partly furnished with historical artefacts from the Hotel Ritz in Paris. It is run by the Niederwald Visitor Centre Association. The winter menu includes homemade soups and sweets. Regional products are also on sale.
Cloakrooms and a shower are available especially for cross-country skiers. Cross-country ski passes can also be purchased in the station bistro.
From Mühlebach, you first descend below the road towards Steinhaus. Short sections also need to be covered on the road. Near Steinhaus, a bridge is crossed, and from there, the journey continues to Niederwald.
All season
