Venues to visit in the city of Neuchâtel

The otherwise quite tame Areuse becomes a roaring torrent when it enters the 11-kilometre long Areuse Gorge between Noiraigue and Boudry in the canton of Neuchâtel. A beautiful trail follows the path of the river, allowing you to view the transformation from babbling brook to thundering river and back again. You cross stone bridges, catwalks and stairways, passing through rocky narrows and impressively steep rock walls. Make sure to visit the Saut de Brot stone bridge. You will feel as though you have stepped straight into a fairy tale. In Champ-du-Moulin you can satisfy your hunger at the Hôtel de la Truite restaurant. The house speciality is fresh trout which they raise themselves. If you would rather pack your own lunch, there are many lovely picnicking places throughout the gorge.

Getting there: By public transport or car to Noiraigue or Boudry.

This magnificent medieval town was built around an area planted with large trees. Antique shops, handicraft shops, art galleries and restaurants can be found here. Every year a famous second-hand goods market is held in the town over the last weekend in September. The sale of antiquities and handicrafts, art gallery and restaurants. A renowned antiquities market is held here on the last September weekend of every year.

This 4.5 km trail walks you through the key points of life's evolution on Earth, with 17 wooden sculptures and a final information board. On this scale, one big step represents a million years! Before setting off, make sure you climb the Chaumont tower to enjoy the splendid view over the Trois-Lacs and the Alps, if the weather is clear.

This sculpture garden created by the Musée d'art et d'histoire is located on the Esplanade Léopold-Robert. Discover sculptures by regional artists alongside those of Swiss or foreign sculptors.

To the south of the square, an underpass will take you to Esplanade du Mont-Blanc, where you'll be able to admire a number of works by international artists, notably Vasarely and Arp. Take the time to stroll along the lake through the flowers.

Three funicular railways are there to transport you in Neuchâtel: from the lake to the station (Expo 2002), from the Old Town to Le Plan and that of the La Coudre to Chaumont stretch. The latter travelling to1087meter altitude.

Besides the mountain station, a characteristic century-old viewing tower offers fantastic views over the three-lakes country as far as the Alps. And the "Sentier du Temps" is name of a 4.5 kilometer-long theme path (a million years measures precisely a meter) leading back to the Bahnhof Neuenburg station, while narrating the story and development of the earth on which we stand today. An additional attraction is also the high ropes park by the mountain station.

Altitude: 1171m
Accessibility:
From the Neuchâtel railway station on foot (2 km) or with the trolley-bus (no. 107) from the north exit to the Le Coudre city district, funicular rail to Chaumont
View: Over Lake Neuchâtel, west-side of the Swiss Mittelland and Swiss Alps, on a clear day as far as Mont Blanc
Attractions: Leuchtturm viewing tower, earth theme path back to Neuchâtel, adventure park in the trees, playground, picnic site
Culinary aspects: Petit Hotel: Restaurant with panoramic views, extra funicular rail trips
Overnight stays: Petit Hotel: 5 charming rooms
Groups: Petit Hotel: Seminar rooms for up to 15 people
Winter: The funicular railway travels year-round, winter hikes, alpine snowshoe tours to Les Savagnières
Special comments: Highland hike to the Chasseral

More information

Neuchâtel is a real little unspoilt gem with a medieval background. The city, with its secular patrimony, celebrated its millennium in 2011. With its privileged location on the lake of the same name, its narrow cobblestone streets and its bustling pedestrian zone, the city enables visitors to immerse themselves in a magical medieval atmosphere. Attractions that should not be missed include the castle and the Collegiale Church, the Hôtel DuPeyrou, the Place des Halles and the town hall .