Neuchâtel, Switzerland

Neuchâtel, Switzerland
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Neuch%C3%A2tel_(ville_suisse)_centre_ville_dscn0662.jpg
Author: Nicolas Bouillon


Neuchâtel, the capital of Neuchâtel canton, is a city on the northwestern shore of Lake Neuchâtel in Switzerland. It covers 18.05 sq km (6.97 sq mi) and has a population of 33,000 people (2011 estimate).

Surrounding Neuchâtel are the ridges of the Jura mountains, known locally as Montagnes Neuchâteloises. This forested area is cut by deep ravines and valleys and sparsely populated. Neuchâtel is at the heart of Swiss watch-making industry, and is close to the famous watch-making towns of La Chaux-de-Fonds and Le Locle, both World Heritage Sites within Neuchâtel canton.

Many of the buildings in Neuchâtel are built with pale-yellow limestone, leading Neuchâtel to be described by author Alexandre Dumas as a city carved out of butter. The city today is a university town as well as a center for precision-engineering industries.

The warmest month in Neuchâtel is July, when the average high temperature rises to 24°C (75°F). Coldest month is January, when the average low temperature drops to -1.4°C (29.5°F). August tends to be the wettest month, receiving 97 mm (3.82 in) of precipitation.

Église Notre-Dame, also called the Red Church of Neuchátel
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Neuenburg_eglise_rouge.jpg
Author: Ikiwaner


Neuchâtel was founded by Rudolph III of Burgundy in 1011. In 1707, following the death of Marie d'Orleans-Longueville, rule over Neuchâtel passed to King Frederick I of Prussia. This helped to usher in a period of stability, enabling the town to develop as a center for commerce and industry, particularly the manufacture of watches and lace. Under Prussian rule, Neuchâtel was known by its German name, Neuenburg.

Neuchâtel passed into the hands of the French when Prussia was defeated by Napoleon I, at the turn of the 19th century. Under French rule, the city saw an improvement in its public infrastructure. It was ruled by Napoleon's fieldmarshal, Louis Alexandre Berthier, who became Prince of Neuchâtel, but he never actually set foot in the city.

Neolithic hut in the Laténium Archaeological Museum of Neuchátel
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Latenium-1.jpg
Author: Gab01


When Napoleon was defeated, Frederick William III of Prussia proposed that Neuchâtel be integrated into Switzerland. This was accomplished on 12 September, 1814, and Neuchâtel became the 21st canton of the Swiss Confederation - while at the same time remaining a Prussian municipality. Neuchâtel was finally able to rid itself of Prussian authority on 1 March, 1848, declaring itself a republic within the Swiss Confederation.

Visiting Neuchâtel

You can easily reach Neuchâtel by train from Geneva, Bern, Lausanne and Zürich.

Cenotaph of the Courts of Neuchátel at the Église Collégiale
Source: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/fr/deed.en
Author: Rama

Sights & Attractions in Neuchâtel

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