Experiences in Lake Neuchâtel

The Dürrenmatt Centre created by Mario Botta offers an exhibition environment which borrows both from literature and from the fine arts.

Nowadays, wearing a watch is not only for telling the time: it’s more of a jewellery item. Mechanical watches in particular, which conceal a complex interior life, are true wonders of technology and a feast for the eyes. At the Centre Horloger in Neuchâtel, visitors themselves can lend a hand.

In its magnificent setting between the lake and the Jura, the Thermal Spa is a place where all visitors can relax in the peaceful environment. The mild climate, the benefits of thermal sulphurous waters and the high-quality facilities of the Spa are its main assets.

A visit to the vine and wine museum in the imposing Château de Boudry is a must for all wine enthusiasts. This region has been home to vineyards and winegrowers for over two thousand years. Of the six million litres of wine produced in the Neuchâtel vineyards in the 17th and 18th centuries, around four million were consumed in the region itself.

Just a few minutes from the city centre, shady green spaces, tall trees and a pebble beach offer the perfect spot for fun in the water and relaxation. Walking trails wind their way through the expansive lawned areas, and the view of the Bernese Alps is simply marvellous.

Built in 1996 on the site of a lakeside village dating back to 3000 B.C., the Neolithic farm at Gletterens brings the prehistoric past back to life. Clay houses and straw rooves have been built here, just as they were 5,000 years ago. Archaeologists decided to create a colonyfrom the Neolithic era and were able to get an idea of how people lived in their "lake dwellings" from the archaeological sites at Tene.

Offering fantastic views of the Château de Chenaux and Lake Neuchâtel, Estavayer-le-Lac ice rink is a great place to have fun in the fresh air.

The ridge between Lake Neuchâtel and the Val de Ruz valley is Neuchâtel’s local mountain. It boasts stunning views, a hotel and a path that tells the story of the earth, and is the starting point for many hikes in the Jura.

Truly one of a kind : The Museum displays a collection of 108 stuffed frogs in human postures depicting everyday life in the 19th century.

The Botanical Garden in Neuchâtel lies high above the city and is a fantastic spot for relaxing strolls at any time of year. A great excuse to get some fresh air and get acquainted with native and exotic kinds of plants, just a stone’s throw from the city centre.

The sprawling museum of art and history is located just a stone's throw away from the lake. Here much can be learnt in the way of new and exciting aspects concerning the history of Neuchâtel courtesy of changing exhibitions. But the famous collections are also worth a visit - inside a magnificent building erected around 1880.

In the heart of the small medieval town of Estavayer-le-Lac stands the Château de Chenaux, overlooking Lake Neuchâtel and the reed beds of the Grande Cariçaie nature reserve.

A permanent exhibition of mammals and birds found in Switzerland, in their natural environment (diorama accompanied by sounds for the bird displays).

Get away from it all and visit the sandy beaches at Yvonand. When the sun is shining on Lake Neuchâtel and the waves are lapping softly, it is almost like being at the seaside.

Discover Areuse Gorge. It is a study in contrasts: sometimes wide open, sometimes narrow, with burbling waters and spaces of deep silence.

Founded by the writer Pierre Versins in 1976, the Maison d'Ailleurs (house of elsewhere) is Europe's one and only museum of science fiction, utopia and extraordinary journeys.

This wine trail with a total of 27 panels winds its way through the vineyards. The trail takes just under an hour and begins at Cressier Castle NE.

The gentle lapping of the waves, the first warming rays of the sun and the sound of the birds’ dawn chorus: canoeing is the ideal way to discover the Grande Cariçaie nature reserve on Lake Neuchâtel during the summer months.

The well-preserved castle of Neuchâtel, which is over 1,000 years old and from which the city gets its name, towers above the small city of Neuchâtel. From here, you have the best view for miles.

With exciting challenges galore, the “Les Chenapans” scavenger hunt will bring young and old on a trip around the historic old town area of Neuchâtel as they search for wall paintings inspired by the Belle Époque. After 14 stages full of surprises and fun, the smartest players will find their way to the treasure chest and discover its contents. A fun, educational activity that is ideal for class trips or family outings.

Switzerland's largest lakeside wetland resembles a long area made up of marshes along Lake Neuchâtel, bordered by forests on the shore.

Estavayer-le-Lac is a medieval town situated beside Lake Neuchâtel and is home to the best-equipped watersports centre in Switzerland.The highlight is a ride on the 800-metre long water skiing lift - Switzerland’s longest.

A unique route awaits visitors in the heart of the medieval town of Estavayer-le-Lac: the urban art route includes 15 works by artists from a wide variety of disciplines, that are consistently based on modern and contemporary art.