Neuchâtel
Capital of the region
Dynamic and fascinating, the city of Neuchâtel, with its emblematic yellow stones of Hauterive, will seduce those who stroll through its streets.
There are many ways to discover its secrets:
By electric train, the city reveals its architectural treasures such as its Castle or its Collegiate Church.
On foot, the Belle Epoque route invites you to take a leap back in time to the 20th century, a period that marked Neuchâtel with its splendour.
Finally, dare to climb up to the Ermitage Valley, a real haven of peace offering an exceptional panorama of the city's roofs and the lake.
Its museums
The city of Neuchâtel has many museums, all nestled in idyllic settings.
In the heart of the Ermitage valley, the Centre Dürrenmatt pays tribute to the pictorial works of Friedrich Dürrenmatt and to contemporary art.
Further in the centre, the Museum of Ethnography offers an unusual look at human societies, while the Natural History Museum promises an offbeat experience.
A few steps from the Palafitte Hotel, the Laténium, the largest archaeological museum in Switzerland, traces the history of the preserved remains.
Neuchâtel in celebration
Renowned for its festivals, Neuchâtel vibrates to the rhythm of the party.
In mid-June, the Festineuch' takes over the banks of the lake with its open-air stages to the sound of current music.
On the last weekend of September, the NIFF (International Fantastic Film Festival) attracts fans of the 7th art of the fantastic genre, while the Buskers Festival brings the streets of the city to life with its brass bands.
In September, Neuchâtel celebrates its grape harvest to the sound of the instruments of typical Swiss Guggenmusik groups.
The surrounding area
Only 20 minutes away by car is Murten, a charming little town with a medieval feel, overlooking the shores of its namesake lake. There are many water sports, cultural activities and excursions on offer, not to mention the Lake Murten Trail, which is ideal for enjoying the picturesque beauty of the surrounding area.
Not far away is Biel, the second largest city in Switzerland. Its well-preserved medieval town, its museum district and its lakeside atmosphere make this surprising city, where French and German consonances cohabit.
La Chaux-de-Fond is the cradle of the Swiss watchmaking industry and one of the most important cities in the world. Cited as a "factory town" by Karl Marx, it is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its "watchmaking urbanism".
In the middle of Lake Biel, between sandy beaches, reeds and vineyards, the island of St. Peter is ideal for days of relaxation and calm.
The Creux du Van is a breathtaking and vertiginous rocky cirque stretching over a kilometre in diameter. Here, the landscape is splendid, with an endless panorama of the various lakes and Alpine peaks. This little paradise is home to typical mountain fauna such as chamois, marmots and ibex, which you can regularly see. The 14-kilometre long Creux du Van trail allows you to explore this impressive natural sculpture.
Not far from the Creux du Van, the gorges of the Areuse are punctuated by waterfalls, ravines with tumultuous water and small lakes.
Hiking enthusiasts will also find their happiness in the Neuchâtel region through its various paths between lake and vineyards. For a closer look at nature, the Grande Cariçaie nature reserves form a group of marshes and flooded forests and are home to a quarter of Switzerland's fauna and flora. Various paths and observation points allow you to admire this completely preserved area.