Barber near Ipsach

Ipsach sits on the south shore of Lake Biel, between Nidau and Sutz-Lattrigen. From the shore you look across the water to the vineyards and the Jura on the north side. It's a fairly quiet place to live by the lake, and yet Biel is only about four kilometres away. The way there follows the lake through Nidau, whether you go by train, car or bike.

Ipsach is on the BTI line, which runs from Ins via Täuffelen along the south shore to Biel. You board in Ipsach and get off at Biel station, no change needed. From there it's a few minutes on foot to GYAN at Zentralstrasse 22. By car you drive via Nidau into central Biel and use one of the public car parks, allow about ten minutes. By bike the route is flat and pleasant.

Living by the lake, you probably know how to take your time. That's exactly what the GYAN Full Service is for: haircut, beard, face treatment, wash and styling in one appointment of about 50 minutes. Plan it for a quiet afternoon or a Saturday so you don't have to rush off afterwards. A bit shorter, the GYAN Premium package covers haircut, beard, wash and styling in about 40 minutes.

In the salon you settle into a brown leather chair beneath a red Persian carpet on the wall. We take time to talk things through before the first cut.

Not every visit has to be the full works. The hot towel shave is a small ritual of its own: a hot towel prepares the skin, warm lather goes on with a brush, then the blade follows, stroke by stroke. A cool towel and balm finish things off. The GYAN Face Treatment, with hot towel, cleansing and care, can also be booked on its own and takes about 20 minutes.

You book online in English, German or French and get your confirmation straight away. Walk-ins are welcome during opening hours, but for the Full Service a fixed slot is the better bet. Pay in cash, by card or with TWINT. Living further along the south shore? There's also a page for Sutz-Lattrigen.