Bienne

Bienne, a Swiss town in the canton of Bern, situated at N. end of Bienne Lake, and at the foot of the Jura. It was joined to Bern in 1815, having previously belonged to France. It manufactures watches, wire, leather, and cotton. Bienne Lake, 1,420 ft. above sea level, is interesting chiefly from its island St. Pierre, where Rousseau resided in 1765. On its shore also are prehistoric lake dwellings.