Neuchâtel between Old Town, Lake and Culture

The Old Town of Neuchâtel features pedestrian streets inviting visitors to stroll. The Parc des Jeunes-Rives connects Neuchâtel’s historic centre with the lake and includes an urban beach, a playground, and facilities for leisure and sport.

Culture and History

Rue Fleury is one of the oldest streets in Neuchâtel and preserves the year 1494 on the lintel of a cellar entrance. The Passage des Corbets contains a spiral staircase built around 1600. A market has been held on Place des Halles since the 19th century. The Maison des Halles was built in the 1570s and originally housed goods such as grain and textiles.

The Château de Neuchâtel dates from the late 10th century and stands on a rocky outcrop above the city. The battlement walkway of the Château de Neuchâtel is accessible from the south of the castle or north of the cloister. The Collégiale is a 12th-century monument made of the yellow limestone typical of Neuchâtel. A guided tour of the Collégiale conveys its development over the centuries and includes the cloister, the organs, and the magnificent monument to the counts and countesses.

The Hôtel DuPeyrou was built between 1764 and 1771 and features magnificent gardens. It is also a stop on the tourist Via Rousseau, which traces the writer’s path through the Neuchâtel region.

Museums

The Muséum d’histoire naturelle displays dioramas of mammals, waterfowl and native birds in their natural environment. The Musée d'art et d'histoire is a multidisciplinary museum with collections covering fine arts, history, applied arts and numismatics. The three Jaquet-Droz automata are displayed there throughout the year.

The Musée d’ethnographie de Neuchâtel houses around 60,000 objects and 40,000 photographs from all regions of the world, with a particular focus on Africa. The Centre Dürrenmatt Neuchâtel presents Friedrich Dürrenmatt’s paintings in connection with his literary work and also offers temporary exhibitions and events.

Nature and Lake

The Botanical Garden of Neuchâtel is open seven days a week year-round and includes local and exotic plant species, a pond and a stream. The Botanical Garden organises temporary exhibitions throughout the year.

The southern shore of Lake Neuchâtel is characterised by nature reserves and is considered an internationally important wintering area for waterfowl. Swimming, boat trips, paddleboarding and pedal boating are possible on Lake Neuchâtel. The 30-metre-long Passerelle de l'Utopie extends 15 metres over the lake and offers views of the city and shores from a different perspective.

The La Coudre–Chaumont funicular covers an elevation gain of 570 metres in 13 minutes and opens up a panorama of the Three Lakes Region and the Alps at the top. The Chaumont observation tower reaches a height of approximately 1,200 metres and offers expansive views of Lakes Neuchâtel, Biel and Murten.

Trails and Activities

The Nature en ville educational trail is an easy hike lasting two to two and a half hours, with eleven information panels about fauna, flora and the urban landscape. The Sentier du Temps descends from Chaumont towards Neuchâtel and traces the development of life on Earth.

The Parc Aventure Chaumont offers eleven treetop courses for visitors aged two and over, including rope challenges and numerous ziplines. The family treasure hunt Les Chenapans uses Belle Époque frescoes and puzzles to explore the historic centre of Neuchâtel.

Culinary Experiences

The Food Tour Neuchâtel is an urban culinary route through the Old Town with several tasting stops. It includes local cheese, Neuchâtel dry-cured Salsiz, wine, a main course, coffee or tea, and a piece to take away.

Further Destinations

Neuchâtel, Saint-Blaise Ne, Enges, La Chaux-de-Fonds Region, Le Locle Region, Boudry Region, Val-De-Ruz, Val-De-Travers

For the higher-level travel overview: Canton of Neuchâtel.