Basel SBB Station – Birsfelden Power Station (return journey)

(S/E) On arrival at the station, exit through the central door and head straight east along the tram stops.

(1) Take the ferry (Münster Fähre "Leu") to cross the Rhine. It will cost around €2 per person and takes just a few minutes.

(2) You’ll pass the two Roche towers and the Tinguely Museum , two of Basel’s landmarks.

(3) Cross the bridge at theBirsfelden hydroelectric power station:

Then head back to the station along the west bank of the Rhine (S/E) .

From France, park at the Saint-Louis car park. Parking is free for the first 14 consecutive hours. Exit the car park on the south side, then take either the French train (go up one level) or the Swiss tram No. 3 towards Basel SBB/CFF station as you leave the car park. The train is direct, so faster (10 mins), compared to the tram (35 mins) which requires a change.

In Basel, the Rhine flows through the city. To cross from one bank to the other, there are of course bridges, but also four small ferries, the “Fähri”, which have been in operation since the^19th century. A true institution, whose continued existence is ensured by an association

The Roche Towers: The tallest inhabited buildings in Switzerland, visible far beyond the city limits, the Roche Towers designed by architects Herzog & de Meuron are rightly considered the modern emblem of Basel.The two towers house the offices of the pharmaceutical group Roche. Completed in 2015, Tower 1, standing at 178 metres, was the tallest inhabited building in Switzerland until it was surpassed by Tower 2 in 2022.Building 2 stands 205 metres tall and has a total of 50 floors. They are among the most environmentally friendly and energy-efficient office buildings in the world.

The Tinguely Museum, designed by the Ticino-based architect Mario Botta, is a museum in Basel, Switzerland, dedicated to the visual artist Jean Tinguely. The museum, which opened in 1996, is listed as a Swiss cultural asset of national importance.

The Birsfelden hydroelectric power station: The Birsfelden hydroelectric power station cuts a distinct figure in the landscape. Spanning the full width of the Rhine, it connects the banks of Birsfelden and ‘Kleinbasel’. The industrial boom following the Second World War led to a surge in electricity demand in the city of Basel. The power station was built between 1951 and 1954 under the supervision of architect Hans Hofmann to harness the hydraulic power of the Rhine. Unlike older power stations, which resembled huge blocks placed in the river, Hans Hofmann’s design stands out for its light and airy structure.

The 120-metre-long glass-fronted machine hall, with its butterfly roof, blends harmoniously into the natural river landscape of the Rhine. This appearance contrasts with the five compact sentry boxes perched on the dam, from which one can contemplate the imposing difference in water levels. The entire facility is distinguished by its subtle colour scheme. The power station island, created following the construction of the two straight locks, offers a pleasant space for relaxation with its lawns, winding paths and numerous trees.