Cudrefin is in the Swiss Plateau, near the southeastern shore of Lake Neuchâtel, opposite the city of Neuchâtel. The destination offers a variety of points of interest: the Grande Cariçaie wetland, the landscape in the south of the municipality, and historic buildings in the village. Grande Cariçaie stretches from Yverdon-les-Bains to Cudrefin. This internationally important protected area comprises eight nature reserves. Nature watching is a key attraction; architecture and local history offer another perspective on Cudrefin.
Landscape between the lake and Mont Vully
In the south, Cudrefin reaches the ridge of Mont Vully. Small valleys, ridges and woodland shape this area. Above Lake Neuchâtel is a partly rocky escarpment that rises up to 70 metres. Cudrefin’s shores preserve significant archaeological remains from settlements dating to the Stone and Bronze Ages. A dated snapshot of land use also forms part of the picture: in 1997, agriculture accounted for 61 percent of the municipality’s area; the rest included woodland and wetlands.
Wildlife watching at La Sauge
The Centre-Nature BirdLife de La Sauge is on the shore of Lake Neuchâtel, at the heart of the Grande Cariçaie nature reserve. Nature trails lead to several observation points where birds, amphibians and other wildlife can be observed in their natural habitat. Interactive exhibitions at the Centre explore the region’s natural richness. This offers two ways to engage with the same subject: observing wildlife outdoors on the trails and visiting the exhibitions at the Centre.
Boat connections and circular trail
The La Sauge landing stage is 50 metres from the Centre-Nature BirdLife de La Sauge. Boat connections run from Neuchâtel, Murten and Biel. If you include one of these connections in your plans, check the timetable in advance. For a walking route, the Cudrefin–La Sauge circular trail offers a clear time frame: it is 11 kilometres long, climbs about 100 metres and takes three hours. Consider these figures together when weighing up the route’s length, elevation gain and time required.
Church and local history
The Eglise Saint-Théodule stands on a hill with sweeping views over Cudrefin and Lake Neuchâtel. It is a Gothic building with a large vaulted choir, a chapel and a bell tower. Its interior is embellished with various coats of arms and decorative and figurative wall paintings. The church was built during the time of Count Humbert of Savoy, who died in 1374. Its architecture, interior and historical context make it a cultural attraction in its own right, alongside the region’s nature experiences.
Leisure in the village
Another leisure option is Mini-golf des Pommiers in the village of Cudrefin, 800 metres from Lake Neuchâtel. You can play in any weather. It is also possible to play at night: headlamps and fluorescent balls make this a special way to play. Alongside nature watching and architecture, you can also choose an activity in the village with its own distinctive way of playing.
Discover more destinations: Mur VD, Bellerive Vd, Cremin, Dompierre VD, Vully-Les-Lacs, Corcelles-le-Jorat, Faoug, Chevroux
For the wider travel overview: Broye-Vully.
