Savagnier

Savagnier is a locality in the canton of Neuchâtel and the Val-de-Ruz region; it was formerly an independent Swiss municipality. The village lies at 750 m above sea level, about seven kilometres as the crow flies north-northeast of Neuchâtel, in a hollow in the eastern part of the Val de Ruz basin at the northern foot of Chaumont. The former municipal area encompassed the intensively farmed depression along the Seyon, the wooded steep slope of the Forêt de Savagnier, and higher ground on the Jura ridge of Chaumont. It extended as far as Grand Chaumont, where the highest point in the former municipal area lay at 1,270 m above sea level. On 1 January 2013, the former political municipality of Savagnier merged with other municipalities to form the new municipality of Val-de-Ruz.

Hiking in Val-de-Ruz

The “Balade 5 – Par la Rincieure” hike leads through Val-de-Ruz and reaches Petit Savagnier in Savagnier halfway along the route. It is classified as moderately difficult, is 9.6 kilometres long, and is listed as taking 2 hours and 52 minutes. The distance and time may change if the route is modified. The hike explores the connections between water, human activities, and the region’s rural cultural heritage. The Savagnier stop on the route is at Petit Savagnier on line 421.

Another hike on Grand Chaumont offers views of the Swiss Plateau and Val-de-Ruz. Together with its location at the northern foot of Chaumont, this viewpoint illustrates the region’s diverse landscapes, from the valley basin to the higher Jura heights.

Village Buildings and History

Savagnier’s current school building dates from 1866 to 1868 and has fully preserved its original architecture. The gable was designed by the cantonal architect Edouard Guinand. The building’s date and attribution give it a specific place in the village’s architectural history.

In Grand Savagnier, the communal bakehouse stands next to Maison Leuba and is occasionally used for events. Other small public buildings in Grand and Petit Savagnier include washhouses and pump houses. These buildings, which were important to the community, are part of the village’s rural cultural heritage. The year of construction and the initials of former governors can be read on some of them.

The village’s religious history can also be traced to a specific place: Savagnier’s village church was originally a chapel dedicated to Saint Nicholas. The area of Savagnier had been settled since Roman times; the first medieval mention dates from around 1140. The village’s history therefore extends far beyond the construction of the present-day school building.

Ice Rink and Cultural Event

The Patinoire de Savagnier is a natural outdoor ice rink and the only ice rink in Val-de-Ruz. Whether it is open depends on the weather conditions. The biennial hip-hop cultural event Festi'Valderuz is also held in Savagnier. It features performances by rappers, DJs, graffiti artists, beatboxers, and dancers.

Discover more destinations: Villiers Ne, Boudevilliers, Fontaines, Montmollin, La Vue Des Alpes, Les Hauts-Geneveys, Le Pâquier, Cernier.

For the overview of the wider region: Val-De-Ruz.