Discover Thielle-Wavre: Landscape, History and Boating

Thielle-Wavre lies 7 km northeast of Neuchâtel, at the southern foot of the Jura, in the Entre-deux-Lacs region between Lake Neuchâtel and Lake Biel. Thielle is on the left bank of the Zihl Canal, while Wavre is on the Wavre plateau. The local area also includes a section of the intensively farmed Zihl Plain, which stretches westward from the canal across the plain to the plateau. The canal, plain and plateau provide distinct geographical points of reference. If you are considering Thielle-Wavre as a destination for your hotel stay, this layout helps distinguish the two place names and their respective landscape settings.

History and architecture

The area around Thielle was already inhabited in the Neolithic and Bronze Ages. From the Celtic period in the 1st century BC, there was an important crossing over the Zihl at Thielle; a Roman bridge was renewed several times. The settlement history of the area is thus linked to a specific crossing over the river. The Zihl is therefore both a geographical point of reference and part of Thielle’s historical development.

A settlement of the Late Cortaillod culture is located at Thielle-Mottaz. An archaeological study from 1979 recorded 1,955 bone remains, 835 of which, or 42.7 percent, could be identified. The identifiable bones represent at least 48 domestic and wild animals. These figures describe different aspects of the same assemblage: the settlement context, the identifiable share and the minimum number of animals represented. This connects the archaeological site with specific figures.

The building history also spans different periods. Montmirail is an old country house with an agricultural estate founded in 1618. The Moravian Church ran a girls’ boarding school there from 1766 to 1988. The founding of the estate and its later use as a boarding school are two clearly distinct aspects of Montmirail’s history. At Château Tribolet, the stair tower dates from the 17th century. A gallery connects the château to the Corps Central; it was added in 1743–45. The tower and gallery thus represent an older building feature and a later addition with a specific date.

Boating and activities

The regular LNM service from Neuchâtel to Biel/Bienne calls at La Tène, Thielle-Wavre, Le Landeron, Erlach, La Neuveville, Île St-Pierre Nord, Ligerz and Twann. Thielle-Wavre is therefore a stop on the route between the two cities. For regular Service 2, departing Neuchâtel at 11:40 for Biel/Bienne, LNM offers a cruise-and-meal package. Check the current timetable and package availability before travelling.

The Yazoo Family Center offers a different focus: the 2,700 m² leisure center includes a trampoline park, a ninja course and a multi-sports area for families. It also has fluorescent mini golf on an 18-hole course. This gives you the option of including specific activities with different focuses in your plans.

Along the Canal de la Thielle, a gravel path runs beside one of its banks and is well suited to cycling. Check local conditions before setting off. Cycling along the canal is another specific activity option for your stay.

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

For the broader travel overview: Neuchâtel.