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| Neuchâtel • Neuchâtel | ||
| Canton | Neuchâtel | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents | 33.475 (2018) | |
| height | 434 m | |
| Tourist info | 41 32 889 68 90 www.neuchatelville.ch | |
no tourist info on Wikidata:  | ||
| location | ||
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Neuchâtel (French: Neuchâtel) is on Southern foot of the Jura, at the Lake Neuchâtel and is the capital of the Canton of Neuchâtel in the Switzerland. Neuchâtel has a well-preserved and lively old town (Vieille ville). As the capital of the canton of the same name, Neuchâtel has many cultural offerings, several museums, restaurants, bars and festivals such as the Festi'Neuch music festival or the NIFFF film festival.
In addition, Neuchâtel is the starting point for many excursions in the Jura, be it to La Chaux-de-Fonds, to the cliffs of the Creux du Van or on the banks of the river Doubs. In summer the lake offers a good opportunity for a swim.
background
The nucleus of the city of Neuchâtel was the castle of the same name, which was first built in 1011 as a gift from King Rudolf III. from Burgundy to his wife Irmingard are mentioned in a document. The Counts of Neuchâtel resided here from 1047. From 1395 the Counts of Freiburg (im Breisgau) were owned by the County of Neuchâtel, from 1444 a branch line of the House of Baden, from 1504 the House of Orléans-Longueville (a branch line of the French royal family). Guillaume Farel introduced the Reformation in 1530. The Counts of Neuchâtel were raised to the rank of prince in 1643. The city of Neuchâtel had meanwhile developed into a prosperous trading city.
From 1707 Neuchâtel belonged to the possessions of the Hohenzollerns, from that time the respective kings of Prussia also carried the title of Prince of Neuchâtel. The actual administration, however, was taken over by governors, some of whom resided in Neuchâtel Castle and some in Berlin, around 900 km away. King Friedrich Wilhelm III. founded the Académie in 1838, from which the University of Neuchâtel emerged in 1909. In March 1848, rebellious citizens from Le Locle and La Chaux-de-Fonds marched to Neuchâtel Castle, forced the governor to abdicate and proclaimed the republic. A group of royalists loyal to Prussia attempted another coup in 1856, but it failed.
Important personalities who came from Neuchâtel or are connected to the city: the watchmaker Abraham Louis Breguet (1747–1823), the chocolate manufacturer Philippe Suchard (1797-1884), the biologist and developmental psychologist Jean Piaget (1896–1980), Maurice Bavaud (1916–1941), who unsuccessfully attempted an assassination attempt on Hitler in 1938, as well as the FDP politician and former Federal Councilor Didier Burkhalter (* 1960). The writer Friedrich Dürrenmatt (1921–1990) settled with his family in Neuchâtel in 1952 and lived there until his death; that reminds of him Center Dürrenmatt.
getting there
By plane
The nearest airports are Geneva airport
(IATA: GVA), airport Zurich
(IATA: STR) and EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg(IATA: BSL, MLH, EAP). Neuchâtel can be reached by train from Geneva airport in 1:15 hours, from Zurich it is around 1:50 hours and from Basel airport the journey takes a good two hours. These connections are daily and hourly.
By train
Neuchâtel is on the route at the southern foot of the Jura and is accordingly good with it train to reach. Of Basel, Zurich, Geneva and Lausanne a fast tilting train always arrives in Neuchâtel around half an hour. There are also hourly connections with Regio and Regioexpress trains from Bern and Freiburg. Of La Chaux-de-Fonds and Le Locle there is also a Regioexpress every half an hour that continues to Bern.
The 1 Neuchâtel railway station is located above the old town, but is connected to the old town by frequent bus connections (in the direction of Place Pury). A short walk to the left past the Hotel Alpes et Lac leads down towards the lake. At the foot of the hill there is a park and from there it is only a good 500 m to the old town. An underground funicular runs from the train station down to the lake. For a one-way trip you need a short-distance ticket (court parcours), which costs CHF 2.20.
There are taxis, ATMs, various grocery stores and cafés at the train station, all with longer opening times than in the old town.
In the street
Neuchâtel can be reached by car via Biel on the A5. From the south it is also the A5 in the direction of Biel. If you want a more leisurely ride with a view of the lake, you can take Hauptstrasse 5 between Yverdon-les-Bains and Biel.
There are three exits around the city: 
14 Neuchâtel Monruz, 13 Neuchâtel Maladière and 12 Neuchâtel Vauseyon. Since the city center is a pedestrian zone, the car must be parked in one of the numerous parking garages or in a parking lot around the city center.
By boat
On the Lake Neuchâtel there are various lines that reach Neuchâtel. The shipping company Société de Navigation LNM has a spring, summer and autumn timetable, which uses different routes to connect the cities of Murten and Biel as well as the villages on Lake Neuchâtel, Portalban and Cudrefin, with Neuchâtel. There are two to four courses per day for various connections. Tickets and information are available from the LNM information office 1 in the port of Neuchâtel.
mobility
The public transport of the Neuchâtel public transport company TransN is well developed. Every ten minutes buses connect the various places in the city. All information on timetables and ticket prices is available on the TransN website. TransN also maintains an information desk at Place Pury in the city center 2 . A single trip in the city (1 zone, 60 min) costs CHF 4.- and a reduced price (half-fare card, pensioners, children under 16 years, etc.) CHF 2.20. A day ticket costs CHF 9.60 or CHF 5.40 reduced. Tickets can be bought at all stops in the city.
Most buses run from the main square in the old town, the 2 Place Pury.
As the city center is a Pedestrian zone is, you don't get very far with your own car. There are several parking garages around the city center, but they may be occupied.
Tourist Attractions
Churches
- 1 Collégiale (Collegiate Church), Rue de la Collégiale.
Romanesque to Gothic collegiate church. Construction began around 1190 and was consecrated in 1276. In terms of shape, it is a three-aisled basilica with a twin tower. The Vierungsturm with its own windows (Obergaden) is particularly distinctive. What is also noticeable is that with colored bricks, as they are in Burgundy common are covered roof. The colorfully painted ribbed vault is well worth seeing. In the collegiate church there is also the colorful Cénotaphe, carved from wood. H. Tomb of Count Ludwig I of Neuchâtel from the 14th century. The originally Catholic Church, consecrated to Mary, the Mother of God, has been reformed since 1530.
- 2 Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption (also called the Red Church). The neo-Gothic brick church, built between 1897 and 1906, is the most important place of worship for the Catholic minority in the city.
Castles, chateaux and palaces
- 3 Château de Neuchâtel (Neuchâtel Castle), Château 1. The castle emerged from a castle - the eponymous Neuchâtel - which had stood here since the 10th century and served as the seat of the Counts of Neuchâtel from 1047. The castle was the nucleus around which the city of the same name developed. Over the centuries it has been rebuilt and expanded piece by piece. Since the 18th century people have no longer spoken of a castle, but of a palace. The castle was last redesigned in the 19th century. The south wing is still preserved in its Romanesque (i.e. high medieval) form with a richly decorated facade. The castle sits enthroned on a ledge high above the city and, together with the neighboring collegiate church, shapes its silhouette. The State Council (cantonal government) of Neuchâtel has been seated here since the abolition of the monarchy.
Buildings
- 4 Tour des Prisons (Prison tower), Rue Jehanne-de-Hochberg 3 (120 m southwest of the castle). Medieval tower, the oldest part of which dates from the 10th century. People were imprisoned here until 1848. One of the dungeon cells can still be visited today. Above all, the ascent of the steep stairs is worthwhile to enjoy the fantastic view over the city and the lake up to the alpine peaks.Open: April – September: daily 8 am–6pm.Price: CHF 2.-.
- 5 Maison des Halles, Rue du Trésor 4 (Corner of Place des Halles). Magnificent and lavishly decorated Renaissance trading house on the market square, built in 1569. Today it houses an elegant café and restaurant.
- 6 Hotel DuPeyrou, Avenue DuPeyrou 1. Late baroque mansion (Louis XVI style), built 1764–1772 for the French-born plantation owner Pierre-Alexandre DuPeyrou, who grew up in Suriname. He was friends with Jean-Jacques Rousseau, supported the ideas of the Enlightenment and the French Revolution. Today the building houses a restaurant and representation rooms for the city of Neuchâtel. In front of the mansion there is a small rococo garden with statues of sphinxes.
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Monuments
Museums
- 7 Laténium (Archaeological Museum), Espace Paul Vouga, Hauterive (in Hauterive am See). Tel.: 41 32 889 69 17. Open: Tue-Sun 10 am–5pm, closed on Mondays.Price: Adults: CHF 6.-, students, apprentices, retirees, unemployed: CHF 4.-, children (7-16): CHF 2.-; Families: CHF 20.-.
- 8 Ethnography Museum (Ethnographic Museum), 4, rue Saint-Nicolas, Neuchâtel (Quartier Château-Collégiale). Tel.: 41 32 717 85 60. Open: Tue-Sun 10 am-5pm.Price: Adults CHF 5.- or 8.- for temporary exhibitions.
- 9 Natural history museum (naturehistorical Museum), Rue des Terreaux 14, Neuchâtel. Tel.: 41 32 717 79 60. Open: Tue-Sun 10 am–6pm.Price: Adults CHF 8.-.
- 10 Musée d'art et d'histoire (Art History Museum), Esplanade Léopold-Robert 1, Neuchâtel. Tel.: 41 32 717 79 20. Open: Tue-Sun 11 am–6pm.Price: Adults CHF 8.-; Students, retirees, etc. 4.-.
- 11 Galleries de l’histoire, Avenue DuPeyrou 7, Neuchâtel (Courtyard of the Hôtel de Peyrou). Tel.: 41 32 717 79 25. Open: Wed Sun 2–4 p.m.Price: free entry.
- 12 Center Dürrenmatt Neuchâtel, 74, chemin du Pertuis-du-Sault, Neuchâtel (above the city center). Tel.: 41 58 466 70 60. Open: Wed-Sun 11 am-5pm.Price: Adults CHF 8.-; Children, students, pensioners, etc. CHF 5.-.
- 13 CAN / Center d'Art Neuchâtel, 37 Rue des Moulins, Neuchâtel (Old town). Tel.: 41 32 724 01 60. Open: Wed-Sun: 2 pm-6pm; Thu: 14-20.Price: free entry.
Streets and squares
Place Pury is the central square in the old town. It is currently the hub where all bus lines and the tram line along the lake in the direction of Boudry stop.
Right next door is the Place des Halles, where a food market takes place on Thursdays and Saturdays. There are also several cafes here, which invite you to sit in the square and have a coffee when the weather is nice.
Parks
- Gor du Vauseyon, the gorge is a natural area in the middle of the city (hiking trail).
- The Botanic Garden (Jardin Botanique) is located above the city and is a short walk from the train station (approx. 15 minutes). Bus routes 106 (Matile 16 stop) and 109 (Ermitage) also stop nearby. The garden offers various plants from the region, a greenhouse and a garden of evolution, which shows the evolution of plants using examples. There is also a focus on plants as food.
- 14 Jardin botanique (Botanical Garden), Pertuis-du-Sault 58, Neuchâtel. Tel.: 41 32 718 23 50, Email: [email protected]. Open: April to September: daily 9 am-8pm; October to March: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.Price: free entry.
various
activities
At the lake, a little north of the old town, there is that Nid-du-Crô swimming pool with indoor and garden pools. The bus line 121 (direction Piscines) leaves from Place Pury every 15 minutes to the swimming pool in 9 minutes.
- 1 Nid-du-Crô swimming pool, Route des Falaises 30, Neuchâtel. Tel.: 41 (0)32 717 85 00, Email: [email protected]. Open: Indoor swimming pool: Mon-Thu: 8 a.m.-10 p.m., Fri: 8 a.m.-7.30 p.m., Sat: 8 a.m.-6.30 p.m., Sun: 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Outdoor pools: mid-May to mid-September: 9 am-8pm, mid-June to mid-August: 9 am-9pm.Price: Adults CHF 7.-, children CHF 3.80.
In summer it is Swimming very popular in the lake. On many sections of the bank along the lake, you can go straight into the water, but you often have to climb over larger stones. There is a little one 2 Jeunes Rives sandy beach. There are also several cold water showers here. The 3 Champ-Bougin sandy beach is located a little further south of the city center, next to the Champ-Bougin station of tram line 215, the route of which begins at Place Pury.
There are signposts for them at the train station Hiking trails around Neuchâtel. In 1:30 h you are on the Chaumont, where a lookout tower (entry CHF 1.-) a view over Lake Neuchâtel, the Mittelland and the Swiss Alps offers. In addition, a funicular goes up and down every hour in a good 9 minutes. During the week, the train sometimes runs every 30 minutes. The 3 Funiculair La Coudre - Chaumont valley station is just opposite the La Coudre bus stop. Line 107 takes you there in 10 minutes from Place Pury and 6 minutes from the train station.
Festivals
The music festival takes place every summer Festi’new on the Jeunes Rives on the shores of Lake Neuchâtel. It lasts from Thursday to Sunday and takes place in mid-June.
This also takes place in summer, usually in July Neuchâtel International Fantastic Film Festival or NIFFF for short, takes place in various cinemas and outdoors. In the extensive program, various productions of the fantastic film are shown, which otherwise do not reach a large audience.
shop
In the old City 1 there are particularly many shops with a wide variety of offers. Here you can buy wines and try local cheese specialties. On Saturday mornings there is a market on the Place des Halles (next to Place Pury) with fresh vegetables, bread, meat, cheese and other specialties.
Neuchâtel is known for a special variant of white wine, the so-called non-filtré. The taste of this, as the name suggests, non-filtered white wine is described as fresh, exotic, full and round. You can buy non-filtré wines from various cellars in several shops in the old town.
A bigger one shopping mall with parking is La Maladière Center 2 , which is located in the basement of the football stadium. There is a large supermarket, sports and fashion stores, restaurants and cafes there. A little further north along the lake is the large Marin Center shopping center 3 , where you can find all kinds of shops. The Marin Center is 20 minutes from Place Pury with the 101 bus.
kitchen
In the Altadt there are various restaurants with different offers. Some bars also offer menus, see below under Nightlife.
Cheap
- 1 Annexes, Faubourg du Lac 31, Neuchâtel (directly at the Jardin Anglais). Tel.: 41 (0)32 724 14 30. small restaurant with piadinas, omelets, sandwiches and various drinks.
- 2 Bleu Café, Faubourg du Lac 27, Neuchâtel (directly at the Jardin Anglais, next to the Annexe). Tel.: 41 (0)32 725 03 47. Café and restaurant with hammers, sandwiches and salads.Open: Mon-Fri: 8-24.
medium
- 3 Brasserie le Cardinal, Rue du Seyon 9, Neuchâtel (in the old City). Tel.: 41 (0)32 725 12 86, Email: [email protected]. traditional dishes, frequently changing menu.
- 4 Le Café des Halles, Rue du Trésor 4, Neuchâtel (in the old town, right on the Place des Halles). Tel.: 41 (0)32 724 31 41, Email: [email protected]. varied menu.Open: every day.
- 5 Le Bistrot du Concert, Hotel de Ville 4, Neuchâtel (in the old City). Tel.: 41 (0)32 724 62 16. Bistro with various smaller dishes.Open: Mon-Thu: 08-24, Fri-Sat 08-01, Sun closed.
- 6 La tavern Neuchâteloise, Rue de l'Orangerie 5, Neuchâtel (between Hôtel du Peyrou and Jardin Anglais). Tel.: 41 (0)32 725 27 01. Open: Mon-Thu: 08-24, Fri-Sat 08-01, Sun closed.
- 7 Colonia Libera Italiana restaurant, Rue du Tertre 32, Neuchâtel (near train station). authentic italian restaurant.
- 8 paprika, Rue de l'Evole 39, Neuchâtel (west of the old town). Tel.: 41 (0)32 724 06 80, Email: [email protected]. Iranian restaurant.Open: Mon: 11.30 a.m.-2.30 p.m., Tue-Fri: 11.30 a.m.-2.30 p.m. & 6.30 p.m.-midnight, Sat: 6.30 p.m.-midnight, Sun closed.
- 9 Café des Arts, Rue Pourtalès 5, Neuchâtel (in the Jardin Anglais, east of the old town). Tel.: 41 (0)32 724 01 51, Email: [email protected].
- 10 La Fugue restaurant (Hotel Alpes & Lac), Place de la Gare 2, Neuchâtel (right at the train station). Tel.: 41 (0)32 723 19 20, Email: [email protected]. Restaurant with various local specialties, beautiful view from the terrace of the lake and the Alps (hence the name).
Upscale
- 11 VIO, Quai Robert-Comtesse 10, Neuchâtel (directly on the lake, at the Port du Nid du Crô). Tel.: 41 (0)32 725 51 82, Email: [email protected]. Open: Mon, Wed, Thu: 10.30am-2.30pm & 5.30pm-11pm; Fri-Sun: 10.30am-midnight; Closed on Tuesdays.
- 12 O'terroirs restaurant (Hotel Beau Rivage), Esplanade du Mont-Blanc 1, Neuchâtel (right on the lake). Tel.: 41 (0)32 723 15 23. Open: daily from 12 noon, last order at 2 pm; from 7 p.m., last order at 10 p.m.
- 13 La Table de Palafitte (Hôtel Palafitte), Route des Goutte d'Or 2 (built on stilts on the lake). Tel.: 41 (0)32 723 02 02, Email: [email protected]. The terrace on the lake is open in summer.Open: open every day.Price: menu of the day CHF 48.-.
nightlife
The nightlife in Neuchâtel cannot of course be compared with that in a larger city. However, there are several friendly bars in which you can toast with a beer on the weekend and during the week. Basically, it is also advisable to look primarily in the old town here.
- 1 King, 38 Rue du Seyon, Neuchâtel (in the parking garage du Seyon). Tel.: 41 (0)32 724 27 07, Email: [email protected]. Bar for everyone, well-stocked on late Friday and Saturday evenings; often concerts.
- 2 Case à chocs, Quai Philippe Godet 20, Neuchâtel. Tel.: 41 32 544 35 84, Email: [email protected]. popular destination for a party, many concerts in the three bars in the building.
- 3 Chauffage Compris, 37 Rue des Moulins, Neuchâtel (Old town). Tel.: 41 32 721 43 96, Email: [email protected]. Restaurant and bar, popular in the evening, large selection of local beer.
- 4 Helter Skelter Rock Bar, Rue du Neubourg, Neuchâtel. Tel.: 41 32 544 38 10, Email: [email protected]. small rock bar, often concerts.
- 5 Les Brasseurs, Faubourg du Lac 1, Neuchâtel. Tel.: 41 32 721 12 12, Email: [email protected]. Brewery with classic pub menus.
- 6 Café du Cerf, Rue Anc. Hotel de Ville 4, Neuchatel. Tel.: 41 32 724 27 44. Pub with a large selection of beers.
accommodation
Cheap
medium
- 1 L'Aubier, Château 1, Neuchâtel (City center). Tel.: 41 (0)32 710 18 58, Email: [email protected]. Hotel with organic and Demeter products.Price: double room from CHF 180.-.
- 2 Hotel Alpes et Lac, Place de la Gare 2, Neuchâtel (across from the train station). Tel.: 41 (0)32 723 19 19, Email: [email protected]. Rather upscale hotel with an excellent view of the lake and the Alps. The restaurant terrace is also ideal for an after-work beer.Price: double room from CHF 190.-.
Upscale
- 3 Beau-Rivage Hotel, Esplanade du Mont-Blanc 1, Neuchâtel (right on the Place Pury, on the lake). Tel.: 41 32 723 15 15, Email: [email protected]. Very noble hotel right on the lake, on the Place Pury.Price: double room from CHF 340.-.
- 4 Hotel Beaulac (Best Western Plus), Esplanade Léopold-Robert 2, Neuchâtel (directly at the harbor with a view of the lake, close to the city center). Tel.: 41 (0)32 723 11 11. Price: double room from CHF 205.-.
- 5 Hôtel Palafitte, Route des Gouttes-d'Or 2 (partly built on stilts on the lake, northeast of the center, near Laténium). Tel.: 41 (0)32 723 02 02, Email: [email protected]. Price: rooms from approx. CHF 330.-.
Learn
- University of Neuchâtel. The University of Neuchâtel offers a wide range of courses. Various Occasions are public and some with free admission.
Work
security
Since Neuchâtel is located on Lake Neuchâtel, there are more frequent storms here. When there is a storm, an orange storm warning light flashes in the harbor. In this case you shouldn't venture out on the water anymore. It is also advisable not to walk through the forest straight away after a storm, because a lot of loose branches could fall off.
health
Practical advice
- 3 Neuchâtel Tourist Office, Hôtel des Postes, Neuchâtel. Tel.: 41 (0) 32 889 68 90, Email: [email protected]. Open: Mon-Fri: 9-12am & 1.30pm-5.30pm; Sa: 9-12; July & August: Mon-Fri: 9 am-6.30pm; Sa: 9-16; Sun: 10-14.
There is a directly opposite the train station postoffice 4 , the main post office 5 is housed in an imposing building on the harbor.
There are several in the train station and at the main post office Telephoneswho accept CHF and €.
trips
From Neuchâtel you can get to Noiraigue in 20 minutes by train, from where a hiking trail to the Creux du Van leads. From there you have a spectacular view of the semicircular cliffs, of Lake Neuchâtel and the Alps.
With the train (RE) one is in 26 minutes in the watchmaking city La Chaux-de-Fondswho have been a UNESCO world heritage-Place is. In 37 minutes you can reach in Le Locle.
Bern, the capital of Switzerland, is also only 34 minutes away with the RegioExpress (RE).
literature
Swisstopo has various maps for the city of Neuchâtel and the surrounding area. These cards are available in any good bookstore and can be ordered online.
- National map 1: 25,000 Neuchâtel Sheet No. 1164, ISBN 978-3-302-01164-6
- National map 1: 50,000 Avenches Sheet No. 242, ISBN 978-3-302-00242-2
