Places to visit

Find all the marvelous places to see in the area on the “Neuchâtel-Tourisme” website and MySwitzerland website !

Our personal recommendation:

Sport & Leisure

A breathtakingly beautiful cirque created from water and ice erosion.

A soaring cliff in the shape of a horseshoe – always recognisable, utterly unforgettable! To reach the astonishing rock arena of Creux du Van, leave Noiraigue on the legendary “14 Contours Trail”, the most physically challenging section of this hike. A breathtaking vista awaits you at the summit, before you take the “Single” path to return to your starting point.

Hiking – Areuse Gorges

Wide or narrow, bubbling or calm: meet the Areuse.

This captivating route follows the course of the river Areuse – tranquil one moment, tempestuous the next. Stone bridges, catwalks, stairways, narrow passages through the cliffs and awesome rock walls punctuate this revitalising hike through the gorges.

Water Sports – Jeunes-Rives Beach

The beach in the centre of Neuchâtel in the heart of a vast, quiet and relaxing green space.

Shaded green space, large trees, and pebble beach, all within walking distance of the city centre. No need to travel miles to take a swim and relax!

Whether you are with family or friends, a pedal boat trip or Paddleboat trip is a simple and pleasant way to enjoy the surrounding nature and discover every corner of it.

Culture & Museums

Other than the visits on site included in the week’s program:

Castle and Collegiate Church

An iconic architectural ensemble of the city of Neuchâtel.

Built in the late 10th century, the Castle not only gave birth to the city at the foot of its ramparts, but also gave the city its name: Novum Castellum (new castle). Proudly enthroned on their hill, the Castle and the 12th-century Collegiate Church are Neuchâtel’s undisputed icons. The exterior of the Collegiate Church and its slender towers, as well as its cloister, have just undergone a complete restoration. Be sure not to miss the cenotaph of the Counts of Neuchâtel!

Ethnographic Museum

Rich colourful collections taking you on a discovery of… Man!

Surrounded by gardens and perched atop a hill with superb views, the MEN offers exhibitions that trigger ideas and provoke thought. Its collections portray the institution’s history, the ghosts that it harbours, the issues that it examines and the social practices that it analyses.

Natural History Museum

The mammals and birds of Switzerland in their habitat and original temporary exhibits.

Alongside internationally renowned temporary exhibitions, conventional dioramas present local fauna in their natural habitats. Rooms devoted to insects and geology round off a visit that will appeal to naturalists of all ages.

Centre Dürrenmatt

Discover the pictorial and literary art of Dürrenmatt in a beautiful setting.

A villa above Neuchâtel recalls the years that Friedrich Dürrenmatt spent in this city. It has been integrated into a structure designed by the internationally renowned architect Mario Botta where the author’s manuscripts, paintings and drawings are on show. A lovely setting that helps us to understand the artist through reflection and dialogue.