Neuchatel is a city situated on the lake…(*surprise!*) Neuchatel. Apparently, this is the biggest lake that belongs fully to Switzerland (other biggies are shared with France or Germany)
Neuchatel has odd history. It was built as a gift from the King of Burgundy to his wife somewhere in 1011 and used to be under French ruler for quite a long time. Then at some point town choose another government – Prussian. Why? Have no idea, just seems slightly ironic to me that nowadays Neuchatel is the most “French” city in Switzerland. French influence feels everywhere: passages, street cafes, town market…they say locals watch French tv and speak French that is more French then anywhere else in…Switzerland (yeah, such is the strange nature of this country – Switzerland has got 4 official languages, one is French)
The reason that brought me there was kind of sentimental tribute to the favourite writer of my childhood. Alexander Dumas when travelled through this place wrote in his travel notes that Neuchatel reminds him ”a toytown carved out of butter”.”…
It is a sweet little town…all the usual attributes of the long history and modern activities. Local houses built from yellow sandstone, indeed, reminded of a butter. All looking too peaceful and truly laid back.
I’ve only spent half-day in Neuchatel – had to be back to airport by 7pm for return flight. Strolled steep streets (your typical Swiss streets, as I’ve learned already hard way by now)
sat for a while in the park by the Cathedral – the fine example of early Gothic architecture, humorously coloured in yellows and greens,
climbed the “prison tower” – charming views of the city roofs
And even managed to visit small local museum where it happened to be a school trip day for all the local schools, so museum was full of very loud kids and it was a good thing that it was only the size of half-hour tour.
One might think that Neuchatel was too boring compare to the gorgeous places I’ve managed to visit in Switzerland. I actually found it to be perfect, just what I needed for the last day of exhausting travels (and when I do go travelmad, it is exhausting indeed!) it is also perfect for closing this chapter of my Swiss book – a peaceful happy ending of a tale.
Neuchatel has odd history. It was built as a gift from the King of Burgundy to his wife somewhere in 1011 and used to be under French ruler for quite a long time. Then at some point town choose another government – Prussian. Why? Have no idea, just seems slightly ironic to me that nowadays Neuchatel is the most “French” city in Switzerland. French influence feels everywhere: passages, street cafes, town market…they say locals watch French tv and speak French that is more French then anywhere else in…Switzerland (yeah, such is the strange nature of this country – Switzerland has got 4 official languages, one is French)
The reason that brought me there was kind of sentimental tribute to the favourite writer of my childhood. Alexander Dumas when travelled through this place wrote in his travel notes that Neuchatel reminds him ”a toytown carved out of butter”.”…
It is a sweet little town…all the usual attributes of the long history and modern activities. Local houses built from yellow sandstone, indeed, reminded of a butter. All looking too peaceful and truly laid back.
I’ve only spent half-day in Neuchatel – had to be back to airport by 7pm for return flight. Strolled steep streets (your typical Swiss streets, as I’ve learned already hard way by now)
sat for a while in the park by the Cathedral – the fine example of early Gothic architecture, humorously coloured in yellows and greens,
climbed the “prison tower” – charming views of the city roofs
And even managed to visit small local museum where it happened to be a school trip day for all the local schools, so museum was full of very loud kids and it was a good thing that it was only the size of half-hour tour.
One might think that Neuchatel was too boring compare to the gorgeous places I’ve managed to visit in Switzerland. I actually found it to be perfect, just what I needed for the last day of exhausting travels (and when I do go travelmad, it is exhausting indeed!) it is also perfect for closing this chapter of my Swiss book – a peaceful happy ending of a tale.