Old Town of Neuchâtel
Overview
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Hint
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Intro
Explore the old town of Neuchâtel on the largest purely Swiss lake. Stroll through the largest pedestrian zone in Switzerland, discover medieval alleys made of yellow Hauterive stone and visit the castle and collegiate church.
The old town of Neuchâtel at a glance
The old town of Neuchâtel is located on the northern shore of Lake Neuchâtel and is considered the largest pedestrian zone in Switzerland. Their houses are built of yellow Hauterive limestone, which gives the cityscape its characteristic colour. The castle and collegiate church are enthroned on a rock above the city.
What to experience
Walk through the old town
Stroll through winding streets to the bustling Place des Halles, where a market with regional products takes place three times a week. Hidden courtyards, fountains and cafés characterise the quarter. If you walk further, you will come across the painted Rue des Chavannes with changing street works of art.
- Good to know: The old town is easily accessible on foot from Neuchâtel train station.
- Tip: Wear good shoes, the alleys are paved and the path to the castle is steep.
Castle and Collegiate Church (1–2 hours)
From the castle hill you can see the city, Lake Neuchâtel and, in clear weather, the Alps. The castle is now the seat of the cantonal government; the inner courtyard is freely accessible and guided tours take place from April to September. The collegiate church from the 12th century has a Gothic cloister and a cenotaph of the Counts of Neuchâtel.
- Good to know: The collegiate church and castle courtyard are accessible free of charge.
- Tip: A lift on Rue d'Evole takes you directly to the castle hill.
Jaquet-Droz vending machines at the Musée d'Art et d'Histoire (1 hour)
At the Museum of Art and History on Quai Léopold-Robert, you will see the three famous automatons of the Jaquet-Droz brothers: "The Writer", "The Musician" and "The Draughtsman". The figures from the 18th century each have more than 2000 moving parts and are considered masterpieces of the watchmaking tradition.
- Good to know: Check the demonstration times of the machines on the website.
General information
| Season |
All year
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| Accessibility |
Partially accessible
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Discover the surroundings
Address
Tourisme neuchâtelois
Place du Port 2
2000
Neuchâtel
Switzerland