Neuchatel Tourist Attractions
|
|
Neuchâtel (German Neuenburg), capital of the canton of the same name, lies on the north shore of the Lac de Neuchâtel (Neuenburger See), below the Jura mountains.
Boat Services
Motorboats ply between Neuchâtel and the other towns along Lake Neuchâtel. The trip around the three lakes (Lac de neuchâtel, Bieler See and Murtensee) is highly recommended.
Collège Latin (municipal library)
On the long quays which extend on either side of Neuchâtel's harbor are a series of fine late 19th C. buildings. In Place du Port is the Post Office and in Place Nume Droz (to the south) the Collège Latin (1835), with the Municipal Library.
Museum of Art and History
Collections of the art and history of the Neuchâtel region, including works by artists: Giacometti; Corot; Bonnard; Degas; Marquet; Pissarro; Renoir; and Sisley. The museum offers ceramic, toy, gold and furniture exhibits. Complete French Revolutionary weapons and uniforms plus the famous automatons of Jaquet-Droz and Leschot can be seen. Seasonal harpsichord demonstrations are available.
University and Library
Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778) memorabilia is housed in the Neuchâtel library including correspondence, portraits, engravings and paintings.
Faubourg de l'Hôpital
To the north of the Jardin Anglais in Neuchâtel lies a select part of the town, the Faubourg de l'Hôpital, with handsome 18th C. patrician houses, including the Hôtel du Peyrou (1764-70; beautiful garden), which is now used for receptions and banquets, and the Grande Rochette (1730; private property).
Archaeological Museum
Behind Neuchâtel's Hôtel du Peyrou is the Archaeological Museum (Musée d'Archéologie) containing an interesting collection of excavated material from La Tène.
Natural History Museum
The Musée d'Histoire Naturelle (Natural History Museum) has departments of zoology, mineralogy and geology and 200 species of animals set in 120 dioramas.
Old Town (Town Hall)
Neuchâtel's Old Town lies northwest of the harbor, rising up the hillside towards the Château. On its east side are the Town Hall (Hôtel de Ville; 1784-90), with a pillared portico, and the Theater (1775). The main street, Rue de Seyon, occupies the bed of a stream which was diverted in 1844. Side streets on the left lead to the elegant Renaissance Market Hall (Maison des Halles, 1570-75).There are a number of fine 16th and 17th C. fountains: the Banner Carrier fountain (1584), the Griffin fountain (1664), the Justice Fountain (1547) and the Lion fountain (1655; the lion itself 1664).
Château
From Rue de Château a stepped lane and a street lead up to the château, which belonged to the Counts and Princes of Neuchâtel and is now occupied by cantonal government offices. The west wing dates from the 12th C., the remainder from the 15th to the 17th C.; the interior has undergone much alteration.
Collegiate Church
Neuchâtel's Collegiate church was built in the 12th-13th C. (west towers 1867-75). Until 1530, when it was taken over by the Reformed faith, it was the Catholic Collégiale Notre-Dame.On the north side of the church is a Romanesque cloister (restored). Outside the west front of the church stands a statue of the Reformer Guillaume Farel (1489-1565); from the terrace there are extensive views.
Monument of the Counts of Neuchâtel
In the very dark Romanesque choir of Neuchâtel's Collegiate Church is the monument of the Counts of Neuchâtel (1372). It has 15 painted effigies and is the finest Gothic memorial in the whole of Switzerland.
Cret du Plan (funicular)
From Rue de l'Ecluse, on the edge of Neuchâtel's old town, a funicular ascends to the Cret du Plan (598 m/1,962ft), from which there are extensive views of the lake and the Alps.
Lake Neuchâtel - Boat Excursions
The shipping company of Lake Neuchâtel and Lake Morat operate principally on Lake Neuchâtel; numerous round trips are organized however, on Lake Morat and Lake Bienne.
Festival
This annual three-day festival takes place in late September and includes a street parade, food stalls and processions of residents in traditional costumes.
Neuchâtel Canton - Folklore Festival
This annual folk dance festival takes place in late August and usually lasts three days.
| Highlights: |
|---|
Map of Neuchatel Attractions
Map - Neuchâtel
