The 3 border region...

The so-called “three borders” region around Basel is a unique area in Europe where France, Switzerland and Germany meet. It is often referred to as the Dreiländereck (“the corner of the three countries”).

🌍 Geographical location
Basel lies in the north-west of Switzerland, on the banks of the River Rhine. Just a few kilometres away:
- on the French side: the Saint-Louis/Huningue area and the south of Alsace
- on the German side: the town of Weil am Rhein

The borders are very close to one another and easy to cross.

🏙️ A cross-border metropolitan area
Together with its French and German neighbouring towns, Basel forms a large urban area known as:
👉 the Trinational Eurodistrict of Basel

This metropolitan area functions almost like a single city:
- many cross-border commuters (mainly from France and Germany) work in Switzerland
- public transport connects the three countries-
- economic, cultural and academic cooperation

💼 A major economic hub
Basel is one of Switzerland’s key economic centres:
- pharmaceutical industry (with major companies such as Novartis and Roche)
- a dynamic financial centre
- strong attractiveness for foreign workers

Swiss salaries attract many cross-border workers, particularly from Alsace.

🎨 Culture and heritage
The region is culturally rich:
- numerous museums in Basel (including the Fondation Beyeler)
- a well-preserved medieval old town
- a blend of French, German and Swiss influences

A strong symbol is the Dreiländereck, the monument where the three countries meet on the banks of the Rhine.

🌐 A multicultural identity
In this region:
- people speak German (Swiss German), French and sometimes English
- residents move easily from one country to another in daily life
- gastronomy, architecture and lifestyles are intertwined

🚆 A very well-connected region
- binational airport: EuroAirport Basel–Mulhouse–Freiburg
- railway network linking the three countries
- proximity to other major cities such as Strasbourg (France) and Freiburg (Germany)