Neuchâtel: Old Town, Museums and Nature by the Lake

Neuchâtel can be explored from various perspectives: pedestrian lanes and historic buildings define the Old Town, while museums focus on art, history and nature. The lake and Chaumont offer further landscape perspectives. You can shape your stay around the themes that interest you most.

Historic traces in the Old Town

The pedestrian lanes of the Old Town invite you to stroll. In Rue Fleury, one of Neuchâtel’s oldest streets, the lintel of a cellar entrance bears the year 1494. In Passage des Corbets, there is a spiral staircase built around 1600. A market has been held at Place des Halles since the 19th century. The Maison des Halles was built in the 1570s; originally, it housed goods such as grain and textiles.

The Hôtel DuPeyrou also tells the story of another era: it was built between 1764 and 1771 and has magnificent gardens. It is also a stop on the tourist Via Rousseau, which traces the writer’s journey through the Neuchâtel region. The Château de Neuchâtel dates from the late 10th century and stands on a rocky promontory above the city. Visitors can reach the rampart walk from the south of the château or from north of the cloister.

The Collégiale is a 12th-century monument made of the yellow limestone typical of Neuchâtel. A guided tour explains its development over the centuries and includes the cloister, the organs and the monument to the counts and countesses. If you would like to take a guided tour, check availability in advance.

Museums, a garden and a nature trail

At the Muséum d’histoire naturelle, dioramas show mammals, waterfowl and native birds in their natural environment. The Musée d'art et d'histoire brings together collections of fine art, history, applied arts and numismatics; the three Jaquet-Droz automata are also on display there all year round. The Musée d’ethnographie de Neuchâtel offers a critical and original perspective on human societies. It holds around 60,000 objects and 40,000 photographs from every region of the world, with a particular focus on Africa; the exhibition programme changes.

The Centre Dürrenmatt Neuchâtel presents Friedrich Dürrenmatt’s paintings in the context of his literary work. There are also temporary exhibitions and events, and the programme changes over time. The Neuchâtel Botanical Garden offers another way to experience the surroundings: it is open seven days a week all year round and features local and exotic plant species, a pond and a stream. Temporary exhibitions are also held there throughout the year; the programme changes.

The Nature en ville nature trail is an easy walk exploring topics related to fauna, flora and the urban landscape. Eleven panels provide information along the route; allow two to two and a half hours for the walk. This makes the trail a distinctly longer outing than a visit to the Botanical Garden, which is open all year round.

The lakeshore, lake and city views

The southern shore of Lake Neuchâtel is characterised by nature reserves and is considered an internationally important wintering area for waterfowl. In Parc des Jeunes-Rives, a park connects Neuchâtel’s historic centre with the lake; its facilities include a public beach, a playground and amenities for leisure and sports. The park’s redevelopment is not yet complete, and its facilities may change.

The Passerelle de l’Utopie extends 15 metres out over the lake. It is 30 metres long and offers a view of the city and lakeshore from a different perspective. Swimming, boat trips, paddleboarding and pedal boating are possible on Lake Neuchâtel; some water activities are seasonal. When planning, it is therefore worth distinguishing between a visit to the park and a water activity, and taking its season into account.

Chaumont and experiences along the way

The Chaumont observation tower stands at a height of approximately 1,200 metres and offers extensive views of Lakes Neuchâtel, Biel and Murten. The La Coudre–Chaumont funicular climbs 570 metres in 13 minutes; at the top, you can enjoy a panorama of the Three Lakes region and the Alpine range. Check the timetable before setting off. From Chaumont, the Sentier du Temps descends towards Neuchâtel, tracing the development of life on Earth.

Parc Aventure Chaumont has eleven treetop courses for visitors aged two and over, including rope challenges and numerous zip lines. Opening times and admission details may change. Another way to explore the historic centre is the Les Chenapans family treasure hunt, which features Belle Époque frescoes and puzzles. As it is a bookable seasonal offering, check availability.

The Neuchâtel tourist train also offers a special perspective on the city. Its glass roof provides panoramic views of pedestrian lanes, historic yellow-stone buildings, the Château and the Collégiale. Operating days and timetables change. For a culinary discovery, the seasonal Food Tour Neuchâtel takes you through the Old Town, with several tasting stops. It includes local cheese, Neuchâtel dried Salsiz sausage, wine, a main course, coffee or tea, and a piece to take away. The items may change; check availability here too.

Discover more destinations: Neuchâtel, Saint-Blaise Ne, Enges, Thielle-Wavre, Cressier Ne.

Back to the overview of the wider destination: Neuchâtel.