Estavayer-le-Lac Attractions

Leave Yverdon on a road going east along the southeast side of the Lac de Neuchâtel at some distance from the shore (marshy in places), from which there is an attractive view across the lake to Grandson. 19km/12mi from Yverdon is the old-world little town of Estavayer-le-Lac (448 m/1,470ft: pop. 2,500; beach; youth hostel; camping site), with arcaded houses, gate towers and the Late Gothic church of St Laurent. The three-aisled collegiate church has beautifully carved choir-stalls of 1572 which were the work of the Geneva artist J. Mattelin. A visit is recommended to the Dominican monastery (14th and 18th C.) in the Grand Rue; the monastery has a magnificent three-aisled church and a number of notable buildings, of which the Hôtel du Cerf (16th C.) and the Maison de la Dime (15th C.) in the Rue du Musée should be mentioned. The latter houses the museum of local history (including prehistoric finds, medieval kitchen utensils and a collection of old railroad lanterns). The house at No. 142 rue Châtel dates from the 15th C. and was the last residence of the lords of Estavayer.

There is also a frog museum in Estavayer-le-Lac.