Tourist attractions Neuchâtel

The highest point of the northern Jura, Le Chasseral (1 607m) offers fine views. Alongside the Hotel Chasseral, the culminating point of the trail, an orientation table permits identification of the Berne Alps, Valais Alps and Mont Blanc. This impres..

At a height of 27m, this famous waterfall is reached along a forest path from the landing stage of Lake Brenets. It is at it most spectacular when viewed from the French side; a footbridge allows vistors to cross from one side to the other. The falls..

On the 1st floor, the art section presents an overview of Swiss painting and some French Impressionists (donated by Amez-Droz). On the lower levels, there are around ten rooms with objects from daily life (costumes, toys, tapestries, furniture, bric-..

The site evokes 50 000 years of Neuchâtel’s history with archaeological finds, terrestrial and underwater, excavated here and elsewhere in the region. Among the treasures on show in the informative archaeological museum are finds from the nearby La T..

A half hour's walk along a steep stony path takes you to the belvedere of Tête de Ran, where you can enjoy views of the Jura (Val de Ruz, Chasseral and Chaumont mountain ranges). Pine trees obscure the view to the northwest somewhat; however, most of..

Head off from Noiraigue station. After the hydro plant, the path follows the course of the Areuse. Harnessed by hydroelectric engineers, the river runs along the bottom of a wooded V-shaped gorge below craggy limestone cliffs. Halfway along, a viewp..

Founded in 1902, this museum tells the story of how time was measured from Antiquity to the present day, with more than 3,000 valuable pieces from Switzerland or abroad. There is also a clock restoration centre, where you can see craftsmen at work, a..

A nature reserve of 11 km 2 surrounds this typical Jura "reculée". It is topped by a superb circle of cliffs opening in a U shape on the Areuse gorges, above pine trees. From the peak of the Soliat at 1,463 m, you can enjoy a fine view to ..

At the southwestern end of Bienne Lake, Ile St-Pierre, now a peninsula since the water level dropped, is, just like the neighbouring Ile des Lapins, a nature reserve. In his Confessions , Rousseau mentions a pleasant stay here in 1765. You can easil..

This 11C church was closed down in the mid 16C after the introduction of the Reform and restored to give it its early look. The interior is simple and austere. In the fine capitulary room, an exhibition shows the story of the abbey and the museum is ..

Between the Town Hall (1788), a classic building by the architect Pâris, and the collegiate and castle, this district contains many old houses, 16 and 17C fountains and city wall towers. On Place des Halles stand 17C and Renaissance houses "Des ..

The 12-13C collegiate, with its roof of varnished tiles, saw several changes in the 16 and 19C. The chevet is Romanesque, as is row of arcades in the 15C cloister. A statue of William Farel, who encouraged the people of Neuchâtel to adopt the Reform,..

Housed in a late 19C villa and surrounded by a park, this museum contains permanent collections with objects from Africa and Oceania. On the 1st floor, apart from the reconstructed cabinet of Gen Charles Daniel de Meuron (1738-1806), the great voyage..

This unusual neo-Gothic building (1897-1906) was listed in 1986 and extensively restored; its walls and ceilings are in artificial stone to which has been added coloured cement, hence its name: the “red church”. Another original feature is the contin..

Recently restored and englarged, this museum contains not only work from local artists but other Swiss and foreign painters. Paintings by local artists Charles Humbert and Charles Edouard Jeanneret (Le Corbusier) hang on the ground floor. Upstairs, n..

Housed in a wide medieval tower above the main entrance to the amphitheatre, the museum contains objects found during various digs (paintings, mosaics, sculptures, coins, marble and bronze) and an audio-visual programme that shows the history of Aven..

Housed in the 18C Monts Castle, this museum contains collections showing the precision work of clockmakers. On the ground floor, in a period apartment, you can see some fine pendulums and an exhibition showing the development of the watch, from its o..

Standing next to the collegiate, this restored 15-16C building has some 12C remains. It is the former home of the counts of Neufchâtel. You can visit several rooms including the kitchens, the semicircular Salle du Grand Conseil and the cantonal parli..

Built by financier Du Peyrou, a friend of Jean-Jacques Rousseau, this private house has great unity of style and leads to an adjoining garden. In the centre of the lake, there is a statue by A Ramseyer, La Baigneuse .

This high creneled tower stands at the foot of the castle. It has two wooden cells that were used until 1848 and two models show Neufchâtel at the end of the 15C and 18C. From the platform, there are panoramic views of the collegiate, town and lake.