Boudry: Wine Culture, History and Hiking Trails

The history of regional wine culture begins at Château de Boudry, a castle with a long architectural history: it dates back to the 13th century and has been demolished, extended and remodeled several times over the years. Today, it houses the wine library and the Musée de la Vigne et du Vin. At the château, you can discover more than 2,000 years of winegrowing and winemaking history in the canton of Neuchâtel. The permanent exhibition uses prints, gouaches, watercolors, oil paintings and documents to show the development of the Neuchâtel winegrowing landscape and the economic importance of winegrowing to the country.

The wine library offers tastings of most of the region’s wines. As tasting options may change, check what is currently available before your visit. At the Caveau de Cortaillod et Bevaix, wine tastings featuring wines from several producers in Cortaillod and Bevaix are offered in a village cellar just a few steps from the lake. Dates and options may also change there, so check the details in advance.

Wine Villages and Local History

A guided tour of the winegrowing village of Auvernier and the surrounding vineyards combines the historic village, with its winegrowers’ lanes, and a wine tasting in one of the village cellars. Booking conditions may change, so check the details in advance. Auvernier also reveals different aspects of its winegrowing tradition for visitors exploring independently: cobbled lanes, winegrowers’ houses, old fountains, Château d’Auvernier and numerous traditional wine cellars. The village is listed in the Swiss Inventory of Heritage Sites of National Importance (ISOS).

Near Rochefort, Château de Rochefort consists of the ruins of a very old castle on a rocky outcrop. Three information panels explain its history and finds such as Neolithic pottery fragments, Neolithic axes and Roman sandal nails. At the Musée de l’Areuse, you can see birds and mammals from the region. The collection also includes local prehistoric objects, including finds from Cortaillod and Auvernier, as well as documents on regional history and folklore. Other holdings include ethnographic collections from Gabon, Indiennes fabrics, a medal collection and weapons.

The Musée du Tram in Areuse displays six motor cars and four trailers from the 89-year period during which railway vehicles were manufactured in Switzerland. From April to October, guided tours and private rides on a historic tram are available by prior arrangement.

Lake, Nature and Trails

The Écomusée de la pêche et des poissons explores fishing in Lake Neuchâtel and Suisse romande through an extensive collection of objects at a former fishing site. Labels and audio commentary complement the visit. The museum is located in a protected nature area near the port of Bevaix. Its permanent exhibition and outdoor educational panels are accessible at all times; check the current access conditions before your visit.

Pointe du Grain is a wooded pebble beach at the foot of the vineyards, with views of the Alps. The straight, easy-to-follow route between Colombier and Bevaix runs between vineyard slopes and the lake’s blue waters. Before reaching the port of Bevaix, you’ll find a swimming spot at Pointe du Grain; swimming conditions may vary.

The hiking trail through the Gorges de l’Areuse follows the river through a landscape of stone bridges, footbridges, steps, rocky gorges and impressive cliffs, all the way to Boudry. From Neuchâtel, you can reach the gorges by train to Noiraigue or Champ-du-Moulin; return by tram from Boudry. Trail conditions may vary by season. Check the conditions and timetable before setting out.

Another circular hike leads from Rochefort through the forest to the summit of the Tablettes at 1,291 m and the Rochers de Tablettes viewpoint. From there, views extend across the Val de l’Areuse and Lake Neuchâtel; on a clear day, you can also see the basin of Creux du Van. Stage 6 of the Via Cluny runs from Bevaix along the lakeshore, via Pointe de Cortaillod, to Corcelles-Cormondrèche. One section heads towards Boudry along the Areuse.

Discover more destinations: Montézillon, Bevaix, Cortaillod, Boudry, Gorgier, Auvernier, Corcelles-Cormondrèche and Peseux NE.

Return to the main travel overview: Neuchâtel.