For a small city in Switzerland, La Chaux-de-Fonds is unusually notable. Located in the Jura mountains, it’s the capital of what is known as Watch Valley – a corridor of historically prolific watch-making centres. It’s also the birthplace of architect Le Corbusier and car-maker Louis Chevrolet, and is unique among Swiss cities in being arranged on a grid system; the original meandering city was destroyed by fire in the 1700s and rebuilt along more orderly lines. UNESCO has recently bestowed World Heritage Site status on La Chaux-de-Fonds, naming 23 buildings of national importance. All in all, a pretty nice place then.

Swiss photographer Matthieu Gafsou enjoyed a spell there as an artist-in-residence, and he has assembled a collection of work built up from 2009 onwards as he wandered the streets. These images are far from spontaneous snapshots, however, and Gafsou plays with exposure, and particularly colour, in trying to create a strange, dream-like quality to the scenes; both his subtle hues and bright neons are startlingly effective set against the blanket snow and grey buildings. La Chaux-de-Fonds has been chosen as the inaugural exhibition at Galerie Eric Mouchet, Paris, and will be shown from 21 October to 22 November.