Roadtrip Switzerland

Neuchatel (EN)

Published on: 06-12-2017 / Modified: 06-12-2017

Just a stop

Mid-June 2016 we started our third roadtrip in Switzerland and this time we entered the country through the North. Neuchatel was the perfect stop to cut the journey in half from Belgium to Valais further in the South. I didn't expect much from the city but Neuchatel turned out to be a nice surprise. With 33,000 inhabitants it's barely a little more than the city where I live but Neuchatel is so much better!

June 2016

Visit duration:
1 day

Typically Swiss

Small city good Switzerland
If you have never been to Switzerland and live in France or Belgium, the first thing that will surprise you in Neuchatel is probably cleanliness. Here there is no graffiti on the walls, no rubbish on the street, playgrounds for children in good condition, a city where birds can be heard more than cars and above all a really pleasant setting for a city of this size. In short, Neuchatel is not bad at all!

Lake side

The lake is undoubtedly the city's main attraction, with typical activities such as boat cruises, shoreline walks and a beautiful jetty that flows into the horizon and mountains in the distance. The weather wasn't very nice the day we arrived in Neuchatel, the sky was very cloudy but it didn't take anything away from the charm of the lake, the atmosphere was just different.

With a 4-year-old child, you can't escape the boat ride. The ship's staff were super friendly and my son was invited to enter the cabin with the captain of the boat without asking for anything. On the way home, evacuation drill, everyone puts on a lifejacket and ends up on deck. Nothing bad, we're still in Switzerland after all, but it was an adventure for the little one! The only downside, and it's the same everywhere in Switzerland, is that everything is horribly expensive.

Old town

Neuchatel is an "old" city, it already existed 1000 years ago. The historical centre is fairly well preserved, capitalism has found its way there without affecting the heritage and the whole is quite pleasant. I don't have the impression that Neuchatel is a popular shopping destination, but you can find everything you need there. The center is home to some churches and other well-preserved facades, nothing exceptional, it's just nice for a comfortable walk. If you come by car, you will see that local politics does not favour car traffic, let alone parking. You will therefore have to drive your ride to one of the covered car parks and for the price you will pay you will want to enjoy the city.

The town has a castle on its heights. This is far from a Neuchwanstein type castle, but once again the castle and its surroundings can be the object of a nice stroll.

Mountain side

There isn't really a mountain in Neuchatel, but when you come from flat Belgium, a big hill quickly looks like a mountain. There is a funicular that for a reasonable price (it's rare) will take you to the top of the city. The funicular railway has an observation tower that allows you to have a 360° view of the region, from there you can explore the upper part of the city, there are even two playgrounds, a classic (toboggan, swings,...) and an adventure course (paying). There is no doubt there is a way to walk a little further but we didn't have time, we stopped at the playground.

Funicular

Funiculaire La Coudre-Chaumont

For the kids

At Neuchatel you have enough to keep your children busy. The boat tour and funicular ride are the attractions that children will enjoy the most. There are also playgrounds by the lake and at the top of the funicular, where you can divide your adult time with time for your children.

Activités

LAURENT WILLEN
Head of myself on this blog

I share my passions on my blog in my free time since 2006, I prefer that to watching nonsense on TV or on social networks. I work alone, I am undoubtedly one of the last survivors of the world of blogs and personal sites.

My speciality? Digital in all its forms. I have spent the last 25 years working for multinationals where I managed digital teams and generated revenues of over €500 million per year. I have expertise in telecoms, media, aviation, travel and tourism.