Chaumont
A hilltop lookout on the Jura, more than 1,100 m above the city and reached by a century-old funicular. The observation tower takes in three lakes and the Alps.
Chaumont is the 'backyard' of Neuchâtel. Take bus line 10 from the city to La Coudre, then transfer to the funicular, which opened in 1910, for a ride of about 12 minutes up the hill. At the summit stands a roughly 36-metre observation tower (a small fee applies). On clear days you can see Lake Neuchâtel, Lake Biel, Lake Murten and the Alpine range from the Jungfrau to Mont Blanc. In autumn and winter, a sea of clouds often fills the lake basin below. The hill has forest trails and a restaurant, and you can hike back down to the city in about 1.5 to 2 hours.
Opening hours
Cable car approx. 07:00–20:00, every 30 minutes
Nearby sights
- Laténium
- Hôtel DuPeyrou
- Museum of Art and History of Neuchâtel
- Lake Neuchâtel Promenade & Boat Cruise
- Neuchâtel Castle & Collegiate Church
- Neuchâtel Old Town
- Valangin Castle
- Ethnography Museum of Neuchâtel