Stone bridges, footbridges and stairs lead through the rocky gorges of the Gorges de l'Areuse. The impressive rock faces and the course of the Areuse shape the character of this route.
Paths through the gorges
Another gorge route begins near Môtiers: the Gorges de la Poëta-Raisse start at the Rousseau waterfall and the cave of the same name, then lead through narrow gorges and past cascades. The two routes therefore differ in their defining features: along the Areuse, the stone bridges, footbridges and stairs beside the river stand out; at the Poëta-Raisse, the waterfall, cave and cascades take centre stage. If you choose your excursions according to landscape features, these descriptions offer two specific starting points.
The history of asphalt underground
At the Mines d'asphalte in Travers, the guided visit takes you through underground galleries where asphalt was mined for almost three centuries. Visits are possible year-round and in any weather. Check access and opening times before you arrive. The Mines have their own railway station at La Presta; trains stop there on request. Check the timetable and how the request stop works before travelling. Asphalt also features in the local cuisine: the Café des Mines serves ham cooked in asphalt. As the menu may change, it is advisable to check before your visit.
Absinthe, history and indulgence
The Maison de l'Absinthe presents a permanent exhibition about absinthe, its legend and the plant. Its history includes two notable dates: absinthe was banned in Switzerland in 1910 and legalised again in 2005. A cooking workshop at the Maison shows how absinthe is used in gastronomy; participants prepare savoury or sweet menus. Check in advance whether the workshop is offered on the date of your visit.
Sparkling wine and chocolate offer other ways to discover the local culture of food and drink. At the Prieuré de St-Pierre in Môtiers, the Mauler family has been making sparkling wines since 1829; a guided tour followed by a tasting is available. Tours and tastings may change, so check dates in advance. In Môtiers, Jacot Haute Chocolaterie offers a bean-to-bar experience: it explains the journey from cocoa bean to chocolate bar and explores ethical and ecological sourcing. Details and booking arrangements for this experience may also change.
Houses, collections and local stories
The Musée Rousseau in Môtiers explores Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s stay in two rooms of the house where he spent three years in exile. Around 200 original documents are displayed across eight stations. Another story of a collection is told by the Séchoir à absinthe de Boveresse: the building was historically used to dry plants, was built in 1893 by the Barrelet brothers from Boveresse, and was classified as a historic monument in 1998. In Champ-du-Moulin, the educational exhibition at the Maison de la nature “La Morille” focuses on trout, bats and the region’s caves. The three places have different focuses: Rousseau’s stay, the history of a building used for drying plants, and topics relating to nature and caves.
Summer and winter activities
La Robella leisure park offers around ten activities for families and is designed for a full day out, in summer and winter alike. Options include a pump track with rollers and banked turns, where you can practise BMX. As the range of activities and operating arrangements may change, and the availability of the track may vary, check the latest information in advance. La Robella thus complements the cultural and culinary discoveries with an activity option available across seasons.
Discover more destinations: Les Verrières, Travers Ne, Fleurier, Couvet, Buttes, Saint-Sulpice Ne, La Côte-Aux-Fées, Môtiers, Boveresse.
View the wider travel overview: Neuchâtel.
