By Train

Neuchatel is served by the major train line which crosses Switzerland on the southern Jura. Trains arrive in Neuchatel hourly, if not more often, from major Swiss cities such as Bern, Lausanne, Geneve, and Zürich.

The old castle of Neuchatel, The old Chateau, Neuchâtel has several excellent museums, Castle of Neuchâtel

The old castle of Neuchatel, the historic downtown, the so-called "Eglise Rouge", the Red Church.

The old Chateau which sits atop a small hill in the center of town houses the parlaiment of the Canton of Neuchatel, as well as an old medieval cathedral. The Chateau is also situated in the midst of the city's Old Town, which features many centuries old yellow sandstone buildings and narrow cobblestone streets. As well, a large red Catholic church dominates the skyline of Northeastern Neuchatel.

Neuchâtel has several excellent museums, including the Laténium, an archeology museum focusing on the prehistorical times in the region of Neuchâtel and Hauterive, particularly the La Tène culture; the MEN, an ethnography museum; The flagship Musée d’Art et d’Histoire, Esplanade Léopold-Robert (Tues–Sun 10am–5pm, Thurs until 9pm; Fr.7, free on Thurs; SMP), and its star attractions, the astonishing Automates Jaquet-Droz (Jaquet-Droz Mechanical Figurines) are also notable.

Castle of Neuchâtel, Neuchâtel’s atmospheric Old Town is extremely attractive, and random wanderings through its steep alleys are as good a way as any to appreciate the golden beauty of the architecture, as well as the 140-odd street fountains, a handful of which date from the sixteenth century. From the rather anonymous Place Pury – hub of buses and shoppers alike – with the main artery of Rue du Seyon leading northwards, alleys to the west bring you to Place des Halles, perpetually filled with talkers and drinkers spilling out of a handful of cafés. The square itself is overlooked by fine Louis XIV architecture – shuttered facades and the turreted orioles of the sixteenth-century Maison des Halles. You’ll find informal lunchtime boules sessions on the nearby Rue du Coq d’Inde, a broad, tranquil courtyard away from the bustle. A two-minute walk east, on Rue de l’Hôpital, is the grand 1790 Hôtel de Ville (Town Hall), designed by Louis XVI’s chief architect Pierre-Adrien Paris.

January - March
October - December

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