Sightseeing in Neuchatel - what to see. Complete travel guide

The name “Neuchatel” can be literally translated as "New Castle". It is an ancient Swiss town located on the shore of the lake with the same name. Neuchatel is one of the most interesting and popular tourist destinations in western Switzerland.

This place is full of various attractions - shops and restaurants, lake cruises and walks in picturesque surroundings – these are the main entertainments of the town. If you want to get acquainted with the historical legacy of Neuchatel, it is time to make a walk on a small tourist train. It will take you through the ancient streets of the town, and the guide will describe and show main architectural monuments of this place.

The old part of the town was built in the 16th century. However, the unique homes made of yellow limestone according to the best traditions of the Middle Age architecture are carefully saved till our days. Neuchatel Castle is the symbol of the city. Its west wing was built in the 12th century, and the remaining part of the castle was built during the 15th - 17th centuries. All tourists have an opportunity to walk through the corridors of the castle and see the stunning panorama of the town from the observation area located at the ramparts. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

The oldest religious building of Neuchatel is the church named Eglise Collégial. It was founded in the 13th century and features 15 ancient sculptures with images of prominent noble people of the town on its territory. Both church and the memorial are made in the gothic style. You should also visit the building of Town Hall and attend an excursion to the oldest prison of Neuchatel - Tour des Prisons. The prison tower was a place of detention until the middle of the 19th century. Today this place is equipped with several observation areas that feature a magnificent view over the town. Don’t forget to visit the main fountains of the town – Fountains of Griffin, Leo and the Fountain "Banneret." These are true works of art and magnificent examples of the medieval sculpture.

The city has a very interesting Art and History Museum, some exhibits of which could surprise even experienced travelers. Besides traditional antiquities and works of art, in this museum, you can see unique programmable robots created by a talented local watchmaker back in the 18th century. The museum displays a collection of works by local painters and sculptors, as well as interesting exhibits related to the most important events in the history of the city.

No less interesting is the Laténium Museum presenting visitors a rich collection of archaeological finds. Today it holds ancient artifacts discovered during the exploration of ancient settlements. Unique exhibits are brought to the museum from various regions of Switzerland, its collection is constantly replenished.

An interesting cultural object is the Centre Dürrenmatt Neuchâtel bearing the name of the famous writer and one of the prominent citizens. He lived in Neuchâtel from 1952 to 1990. After the death of the writer, it was decided to open a cultural center in his honor. Today it contains a collection of works by the writer, as well as a small museum, where you can see his personal belongings. Since its opening, the center has been a venue for a variety of cultural events and presentations, many of which can be visited free of charge.

The city and its environs offer a great choice of interesting places for walking. One of the travelers' favorite entertainment activities is climbing to the Mount Crete du Plan. Its height is 589 meters, the top of the mountain can be reached in minutes by cable car. From here you can enjoy the chic panorama of the city, as well as its main natural landmark - Lake Neuchatel. It would be very interesting to take a walk along the shores of the lake where there are several picturesque parks that look great at any time of the year.

Fans of event tourism are recommended to visit the French town in September when its inhabitants celebrate the traditional Vine Festival. During the festival, you can witness many interesting entertaining and gastronomic activities, as well as watch street concerts and performances, try a wonderful young wine and popular national food.